I've nothing distinctive to add to the comments below regarding the film itself. Last night, I watched THE DUELLISTS for the first time in its new DVD presentation. Immediately thereafter, I turned on Mr. Scott's commentary track and that's what I'd like to mention here.
Eight years ago, I began collecting laserdiscs which were the first format to include directors' commentaries. I was mesmerized by this feature. Once the DVD format caught hold, it seemed as if these bonus audio tracks came attached to almost every film and suddenly everyone including the costume designer was yakking away.
The best commentary tracks I've heard are provided by the director speaking to his audience, not to his DP or to his producer, and they are scene-specific. Rodriguez' amazing "how to make a low-budget film" commentary on "El Mariachi", for instance, or Scorsese's fast-paced insights that he recorded for "Raging Bull". Now I can add to this short list Ridley Scott's commentary on "Duellists". It's the opposite of coy. It's chock-full of lessons for young directors. It's lightly humorous. It's fascinating.
Eight years ago, I began collecting laserdiscs which were the first format to include directors' commentaries. I was mesmerized by this feature. Once the DVD format caught hold, it seemed as if these bonus audio tracks came attached to almost every film and suddenly everyone including the costume designer was yakking away.
The best commentary tracks I've heard are provided by the director speaking to his audience, not to his DP or to his producer, and they are scene-specific. Rodriguez' amazing "how to make a low-budget film" commentary on "El Mariachi", for instance, or Scorsese's fast-paced insights that he recorded for "Raging Bull". Now I can add to this short list Ridley Scott's commentary on "Duellists". It's the opposite of coy. It's chock-full of lessons for young directors. It's lightly humorous. It's fascinating.