I didn't think the film was as bad as all that, some of the reviews here are pretty harsh on "Duel". The first time I saw this film, I really was quite interested in what would happen, and it has stood up to subsequent viewings.
Perhaps because so many of us motorists do have some underlying fear of big-rigs, and I don't care how many people defend them, I work in an industrial park and most of the big-rigs I see just drive right out in front of you without a care in the world how you're going to avoid crashing into them or someone else. Many, many of these rigs are driven by terrible, dangerous drivers, I see it every single day.
But that's not even what this movie is about. Our story here is about a character named David Mann, whom it is admittedly difficult to generate much feeling about one way or another. He's driving someplace, and in the process he manages to offend a big rig by passing it. Other reviewers have pointed out that we don't know the "reason" for the trucker's irrational behavior, but road rage is usually pointless. I don't have an issue with that. He was mad that he got passed, people have been shot on the road for less than that.
As far as David Mann's actions once the chase is on, yes, he could have easily lost the trucker, or called the police, or simply turned around at the next exit and went the other way. IF HE WAS A WOMAN! In real life I've known many, many men who would have carried on just as ludicrously as Mann did rather than admit to anyone a) they couldn't lose the truck, b) they were being out-driven by someone in a much slower conveyance, c) they needed help. All of the so-called implausibility of this story is simply male pride. The only surprise is that it is directed by a man.
In summation, it's not a bad movie, particularly for a TV movie of this era.
Perhaps because so many of us motorists do have some underlying fear of big-rigs, and I don't care how many people defend them, I work in an industrial park and most of the big-rigs I see just drive right out in front of you without a care in the world how you're going to avoid crashing into them or someone else. Many, many of these rigs are driven by terrible, dangerous drivers, I see it every single day.
But that's not even what this movie is about. Our story here is about a character named David Mann, whom it is admittedly difficult to generate much feeling about one way or another. He's driving someplace, and in the process he manages to offend a big rig by passing it. Other reviewers have pointed out that we don't know the "reason" for the trucker's irrational behavior, but road rage is usually pointless. I don't have an issue with that. He was mad that he got passed, people have been shot on the road for less than that.
As far as David Mann's actions once the chase is on, yes, he could have easily lost the trucker, or called the police, or simply turned around at the next exit and went the other way. IF HE WAS A WOMAN! In real life I've known many, many men who would have carried on just as ludicrously as Mann did rather than admit to anyone a) they couldn't lose the truck, b) they were being out-driven by someone in a much slower conveyance, c) they needed help. All of the so-called implausibility of this story is simply male pride. The only surprise is that it is directed by a man.
In summation, it's not a bad movie, particularly for a TV movie of this era.