Rent Duel (1971)

Gripping suspense - Duel review by TB

The first proper film by Spielberg and a glimpse of what was to come from this director. This is a classic film with gripping suspense and at times an eerie feel to it as a mainly silent film submerges you in a deranged game of cat and mouse.

Spielberg's finest - Duel review by AER

Originally directed for TV, this is Steven Spielberg's feature film debut (it was released at the cinema in Europe with added scenes) from back in 1971.

Starring Dennis Weaver as a man who gets on the wrong side of truck driver from hell. Ever been on the receiving end of road rage? This is where your oppressor probably got it from. Duel is stripped back and menacing - the truck is iconic, we never actually see the driver, and the ending is awesome.

For me this is Spielberg's best film as he keeps his nerve - it's a pure thriller - no compromise. We know a tiny bit more about the highly strung lead who probably has a part in bringing this mess into his life. This was before Spielberg got soft and melodramatic like he did in the '80s (don't get me wrong, I love ET), and unadventurous in the 2000s+. Also I usually don't like Spielberg these days because he's not at all subtle and he has plot holes and leaves narrative messes everywhere (let's save this for another day).

Duel was perhaps the first 'scary' movie I ever remember seeing as a kid. I watched it with Mum & Dad and I'm amazed that I didn't get bored as it's quite slow at times (mind you I can tolerate moderate paces now), however when it turns up the pressure its a relentless thrill ride. I watched it again tonight and found it gripping for the most part. So, it retains top spot ahead of all the dross like The Terminal, Jurassic Park 2, and Ready Player One...

Absolute Nail-Biter - Duel review by griggs

Duel is an absolute nail-biter—the best thing I’ve ever seen from Spielberg. From the moment David Mann crossed paths with that rusted, smoke-belching truck, I was utterly hooked. The faceless driver turns a simple road trip into a relentless nightmare, with every roar of the engine feeling like a threat.

Dennis Weaver delivers a sweaty, truly human performance, throwing vanity aside to show real vulnerability. He’s not some action hero—just an average guy pushed to the edge, and you feel every ounce of his fear and frustration. Spielberg’s economy in storytelling is razor-sharp—no fluff, no wasted moments, just pure, escalating tension. The wide-open desert should be a place of escape, but here, it’s a suffocating trap. The camerawork is sharp, the editing tight, and the whole thing feels raw and honest.

And how on earth was this Spielberg’s debut? It’s too good—too assured, too masterful in its suspense. Most directors don’t make something this great in their whole careers, let alone straight out of the gate. And if you haven’t seen the 4K version, do yourself a favour—it looks incredible. The heat, the dust, the sweat, the sheer physicality of everything—every detail pops, making the film even more immersive. It’s stripped-down, edge-of-your-seat filmmaking at its absolute finest.