The Last Duel

Movie Review #5875: The Last Duel

Showing at movie theatres around the county

​Based-on-fact tale from Ridley Scott (Alien) around the conflict between two French noblemen, formerly friends, where one accuses the other of rape (and warning: that scene might be difficult for some).

Essentially three separate retellings of the same events from the standpoint of each of the players, culminating in the duel of the title pitting them together in a deadly combat to the very end. It’s an interesting study on perspective that has a few lessons for today as we grapple with current issues and it shows how emotions can have a major impact on how we can view very differently the same truth.

Set in the late 14th century on a winter-laden French countryside which brings a separate gloominess all of its own to the proceedings. Matt Damon and Adam Driver (StarWars’ Kylo Ren) are great as the leads with Ben Affleck almost unrecognisable as a dandy French lord, Jodie Comer as the lady wronged, with Kiwi Marton Csokas turning up in the supporting cast.

Quite long at 2 1/2hrs but not tedious with the finale pretty violent and bloody. And while I’m sure no animals were harmed in the making of this movie, the horses in particular do not fare well in the depictions. Well-executed outing that holds attention well and doesn’t pull any punches in getting its message across.

8/10