Duel (1971) Review

Fig 1. Duel (1971) poster

Introduction

This review examines the symbolism of the 1971 film Duel directed by Steven Spielberg. How it’s
elements such as the characters and narrative represent certain themes or motifs and their overall
importance both within and without the framing of the film. The sources used to certify my claims
include an interview with the films director Steven Spielberg, an article from the Guardian

Stephen Spielberg’s directorial debut Duel (1971) tells the story of David Mann, an unextraordinary
salesman trying to make a living. On a seemingly normal day he takes a business trip, driving through
western deserts of America when it suddenly takes a turn for the worse as mysterious assailant in a
roaring truck hunts David. Across the primordial landscape David must overcome his limitations and
loose the sinister force stalking him – one way or another.

Fig 2. David Mann being chased by the truck

Duel (1971) is a thriller where the suspense likewise comes from the threat of the truck that pursue
David to abnormal lengths. Yet what makes the antagonist of the film threatening is not just the fact
that its intentions are to kill David, but that it’s identity and exact modus operandi are left vague; the
actual driver while named “Keller” in the films script is never fully revealed. The only physical
appearance to which the audience gets a glimpse is his feet and his arms when POV shots show him
driving the truck or waving David to go ahead. The truck and its driver are physical beings as hinted by
the reaction of minor characters in the film, but the lack of any human recognition makes the truck
the antagonist of the film. The horror of the villain comes from the unknown. In an interview, Spielberg
states: “It takes place in the minds of the audience. By not showing the driver, the audience gets to
make any substitution they choose. And that’s where it takes on a supernatural vibe” (Spielberg,
2018). The truck is representative of the fear of the unknown.

Fig 3. The truck from Duel (1971)

Duel also demonstrates some symbolism in the hero and villain. The protagonist, David Mann, is a
meek and seemingly unextraordinary man who by his own will is put up against a murder machine
driven by a psychopath. The allusions to man vs machine and David vs Goliath are quite noticeable
when examined. However, there is the question of masculinity. In an article by the Guardian, Charlie
Lyne suggests that “after a maniacal (and macho) truck driver attempts to run his Plymouth Valiant
off the road”, “David must shake off the effete ways that have rendered him socially impotent – if the
make-up is ever visible on Weaver’s face, it’s only to drive home some vapid point about the vanity of
contemporary manhood – and reassert his primordial masculinity” (Lyne, 2015). The point is very likely
given that in one scene in the film, David Mann, the protagonist has a conversation with his wife and
during the talk Mann brings up an occurrence from last night “I’m sorry about last night”, “you think
that I should go out and call Steve Henderson up and challenge him to a fist fight” (Spielberg, Duel,
1971). Mann faces a dilemma of masculinity that manifests itself in the form of a murderous truck and
its driver. It should be noted that the film could possibly be a response to the altering gender roles
that were occurring following the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s.

Fig 4. David Mann

Conclusion

Duel (1971) presents the audience with symbolic and suggestive elements to either afflict emotion or
instigate thoughts of what the themes and motifs could represent. The truck’s as a vague, obscured
antagonist helps suggest its threat and the film’s use of a minimal backstory for David Mann helps
develop him as a character more naturally and relatable. Yet, his attempts at becoming better suggest
a desire to reinstate his masculinity against that of a murderous, macho truck driver.
Bibliography
Lyne, C. (2015, May 9 ). Duel: Spielberg's meditation on manhood gets a handsome Blu-Ray release.
Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/09/duel-
spielberg-blu-ray-release 22/02/2019

Spielberg, S. (Director). (1971). Duel [Motion Picture]. Accessed 22/02/2019

Spielberg, S. (2018, March 27). Edgar Wright Interviews Steven Spielberg About Duel. (E. Wright,
Interviewer) Retrieved from https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/edgar-wright-
interviews-steven-spielberg-duel/ 22/02/2019

Illustration list

Fig 1. Duel (1971) poster [Poster] (1971) At: https://www.moviepostershop.com/duel-movie-poster-

1971 Created on: 21/09/2016 Accessed on: 22/02/2019

Fig 2. David Mann being chased by the truck [still] (1971) At:
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/09/ttac-at-the-movies-duel/ Created on: 11/09/2011
Accessed on: 22/02/2019

Fig 3. The truck from Duel (1971) [still] (1971) At:

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/09/ttac-at-the-movies-
duel/https://www.alcohollywood.com/2012/09/06/duel-1971/ Created on: 06/09/2012 Accessed
on: 22/02/2019

Fig 4. David Mann [still] (1971) At: https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/David_Mann Created on:

14/03/2015 Accessed on: 22/02/2019