Duel (1971)

[**** stars/*****]

It's just another day, another business trip for California salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver).

Now put yourself in David's shoes. 

What would you do if, out of the blue, a monstrous truck driver starts obstructing your vehicle and then deliberately tries to cause your death? 

David is at first stunned at the possibility - is this really happening? The day otherwise seems ordinary and David is clearly one who has lived a fairly routine life. 

Why would a stranger want to kill him? Who is this truck driver and what does he want?   

Truck vs. Car is the brilliant premise of Steven Spielberg's impressive road trip action thriller Duel (1971), inspired by a Richard Matheson short story (Matheson wrote the screenplay).  

The theatrical version is available on YouTube, at the time of writing.     

Consider it from Spielberg's perspective now. 

How does the director ensure constant audience engagement throughout this unusual one-track 89-min (theatrical running time) action adventure?     

Years later, in an interview to legendary Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan, Spielberg spoke on how Duel was treated like a monster movie. 

The ace director went on to credit the sound effects editors in creating the truck's menacing personality - something like a Godzilla on wheels. 

Jack A. Marta's cinematography and the Frank Morriss edit powers this turbocharged experience. The visuals from the driver's perspective, the doctored engine sounds make the experience personal. 

Billy Goldenberg's impressive background score adds measured weight to the relentless face-off. 

David's 'ordinary working man in danger' aspect connects instantly. You want David to be safe, he's like a typical colleague you know from work.  

The strength is in the writing, the stark Mojave Desert setting that adds authenticity to the scary proceedings, and the tank truck's unpredictable, absorbing audio-visual traits - we never see the truck driver, an aspect that adds to the thrill of the chase. 

Duel review 
If Duel is a lesser movie, it is in the budget constraints - resultant scale limitations in production quality, cinematography and sound effects - Duel was initially a 74-minute made-for-TV ABC network special.

Would Duel be a better movie if attempted on a larger budget (probably later in the 90's) with upgraded technology and equipment?  

There is no end to the ifs and buts, and incredibly Duel remains extremely watchable and untarnished by time. 

Spielberg's first feature film is impressive for the director's near perfect execution of an unusual, challenging premise. 

Go watch Duel, a robust reminder of how the most influential director of our times (arguably) began enthralling audiences around the world.