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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 5, 1981)
Films The Duellists Starring Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel Directed by Scott Ridley Bijou Theatre Honor, valor, violence and obsession. The words ring forth with the clarity of clashing swords. From the verdant fields of Germany to the frozen wastelands of Russia, two figures — compatriots in Napolean’s war against Europe — oppose each other in a series of relentless and brutal duels. The Duellists, based on Joseph Conrad's short story The Duel, undermines the clas sic, sometimes desperate struggle of man versus man in the bellicostic elements of war and nature. The film erupts when a small quarrel between two cavalry of ficers explodes into a 30 year vindictive affair. Keith Carradine commands an adequate, sometimes too contrived performance as Lieutenant D’Hubert, the young, handsome aristocrat who finds himself a vengeful target for the pugnacious Lieutenant Feraud (Harvey Keitel). Feraud claims to have been insulted by D’Hubert and challenges him to a duel. His honor at stake, D’Huberty reluctantly accepts, and in the ensuing encounter he wounds his opponent and halts the fights. This sets the rancorous ball in motion. Feraud vows revenge in the form of another duel. But both men are skilled swashbuckers; neither is able to kill the other. D’Hubert attempts a reconcilliation, but his efforts are spurned by the truculent Feraud. From Strasbourg to Augsburg to Lubeck, driven by an impas sioned furry, Feraud engages D’Hubert in a number of savage confrontations — confronta tions which, in effect, control ^he lives of both men for 30 years. The Duellists is a film of proficient talent. The compelling drama is sometimes lessened by Feraud’s urbane dialogue: "I really believe you’re quite the madman. Draw your sword!" This, however, is offset by superb filming under the bril liant and sensitive directorship of Scott Ridley. Ridley, in one of the film’s most powerful scenes, presents a stirring, realistic dramatization of Napolean's infamous retreat from Russia in the agonizing winter of 1812, the snowy ground littered with frozen corpses and dying men. Feraud and D'Hubert manage to survive the elements, the Cossacks, and each other. But, finally secure in the world of wealth and royalty, D’Hubert must once again answer Feraud's caustic challenge to duel. Coupled with an intrigu ing plot, a thrilling and surpris ing climax and a quick-moving tempo, The Duellists is a welcome relief from the influx of over-budgeted stagnant films that seem to pervade the American market. Produced by David Puttnam, The Duellists, won the best debut film at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival. Currently, it is the second of a double feature at the Bijou Theatre, showing through March 11. Showtimes are 9:15 pm., with a Sunday matinee at 3:45 p.m. Days of Heaven, the co-feature, shows at 7:30 p.m. James Jiler Licking the Plate Sorry folks, but the breakfast plate's been licked clean. We were going to do a breakfast story for Taylor’s, but Gaib and I ate there way back on In auguration Day, and, of course, that particular rendition of Taylor’s is no longer in existe nce. Let me note, however, that we were eating at the very moment ol’ Ronnie was being cursed, er, sworn in — a simply wretched experience, as you can only too easily imagine. But as long as we’re talking about Taylor’s. . Now we have two of them — sort of. And what we’re gonna do with next week’s edition is a sort of in depth look at the new Taylor’s (now called "Old Taylors”) and the new home of the folks who use to run Taylor’s, Rennie’s Landing. Now, it seems there’s all this confusion as to who and what is really Taylor’s these days. For example: The other day a friend of mine was to meet me at "New Taylor’s” for a beer. By "New Taylor’s’’ I thought she had meant the ‘‘new place ”, meaning Rennie’s. What she had meant, however, was the other Taylor’s, the one we’ve all come to know and love. As you can guess, I drank my beer alone, as did she. And so that this horrible fate doesn’t meet you one day, dear reader, we are going to attempt to clear up the matter once and for all. Will the Real Taylor’s please stand up. 10% DISCOUNT To U. of O. 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