User reviews

Set in 19th century Imperial Russia, this quite violent Russian film stars Pyotr Fyodorov, who gives a powerful performance as the mysterious Yakovlev. He's only been in the city of St. Petersburg for several months but has already killed 5 men as a duelist (comparable in a way to a Wild West gunslinger). Only slowly do we learn of his motivations, and it's only towards the very end of the movie that all is revealed.

To note, I thought some of the plot elements could be rather obtuse and difficult to follow at times. The settings and cinematography are exquisite and I really got the sense that I was right there in 19th century Russia.

All in all, if you don't mind the violence or some of the cloudy plot elements, this movie can be a reasonably decent watch, especially if you like dark and intense foreign dramas.

I, like a Russian who watched a lot of Russian films, declare that this is one of the best! We Russians are not famous for a decent film and we shoot such a film is a great success. Beautiful landscapes, gorgeous costumes, hairstyles, sound ... in this film all worthy of mention. Necessarily to watch all who want to get acquainted with the Russian culture of the 18-19 centuries.

I must say that the movie I watched had a very broken english translation that took a great deal of my own subjective translating. I really liked it though.

This film is about, what essentially comes down to, a hired gunman. A nobleman pays for someone to stand in for nobility at time when the only price for honor is blood. There are backstories which twist and turn the film in places which helps to make this a nice thriller.

I personally didn't find this to be as bloody as some have made out. Like I mentioned, the english translation for the film I watched was broken and I really had to try and figure a few things out for myself. This was a well filmed movie. The costuming and sets were great. I really did enjoy it and I hope to find a better version so that I might be able to enjoy it all the more. I would suggest this if you like period thrillers.

it reminds the atmosphere of Imperial Russia. it gives a dark story, fascinating for the game of levels, using good cinematography, remembering Count of Monte Cristo and using a small love story as spice.the result - a beautiful show, not only as aesthetic product but for a story who, out its bloody dimension, remains seductive for the wise manner to mix the Hollywood standards with the Russian tradition. Pyotr Fyodorov did an admirable job and each new meet with Vladimir Mashkov, especially in a role who reminds Vicomte de Valmont from Dangerous liaisons , is a good thing. so, a beautiful film. maybe not at the high expectations of a part of public but decent and seductive.

As a Russophile, I have seen several excellent films made in that great land, including "Andrei Rublev," "Alexander Nevsky," "Ivan the Terrible," "Sadko," "Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears," "Burnt by the Sun." It seemed that "The Duellist" would be a respectable historical drama.I had read that in preparation Mizgirev had studied Ridley Scott's The Duellists (1977), a film that I admire. The story per se was intriguing, focusing on the nefarious and deadly career of a mercenary duellist at a time when such affaires d'honneur were quite frequent. The background of this mysterious and quasi occult character piqued my curiosity. Was he really a nobleman? Why was he found half dead by some natives who appeared to be Inuits? Who was paying the salary for the killings? Little by little, the facts emerged. However, they did so in a very scatterbrained manner. We find out about the flashback to the Aleutians in a later flashback which goes back further. We are never sure about his identity as he keeps telling different stories. Sadly, I was confused throughout the film and not very happy when some information was revealed because I could not be sure whether it was the truth or not. I still do not know why Count Beklemishev hated him so nor do I know why the particular victims were targetted. To add to the confusing morass of mystery after mystery, the sets were dismal to say the least, with a superabundance of concrete which reminded me of bunkers in some dystopia. The costumes were also lacking in brilliance. All in all, the atmosphere was rather dingy and sparse. I understand that this film emulates the 19th century genre of the city mysteries, as exemplified by Les Vrais Mystères de Paris (1844) by Eugène François Vidocq, a criminal who became a renowned criminologist. It is this dingy, rank and convoluted ambiance that Alex Mizgirev successfully transfers to his opus. It could have been a great film if not for the plot gaps and shabby sets.

It is the first time when i see a Russian movie, it was a pleasure. Set in Saint Petersburg in 1860, the story revolves around retired officer Yakovlev. A deadly shot, Yakovlev is effectively a kind of mercenary in that he is available for hire through his associate Baron Staroe to stand in for others in formal duels. Much later in the film, flashbacks reveal that years ago an Aleut shaman has predicted he would never die, and so far that seems about right as Yakovlev wins duel after duel, wounding and more often killing noble opponents. Although duels of honor are technically illegal in Russia at the time, no one pays the law a blind bit of notice. The code of practice is not written down anywhere, and yet everyone knows the rules and rituals, while many participants see it as an almost mystical rite. To take part in a duel is to accept that one's fate is ultimately in the hands of God, hence the practice of Russian roulette. Eventually, it turns out that all of Yakovlev's recent duels were secretly arranged by Count Beklemishev. He is a shadowy puppet master with a grudge and designs on Princess Martha Tuchkova whose brother Prince Tuchkov Yakovlev is scheduled to duel with next. When attraction stirs between him and the pretty blond princess, problems arise, especially since, as the flashbacks reveal, Yakovlev has an agenda of his own. I think "The Duelist" is a great movie, i recommend it. Congratulations actors especially young actress Julia Khlynina.

A lush (but visually repetitive), naive, confusing and frequently tiresome, story about the 19th-century Czarist Russian Aristocracy solely from the perspective of violent duels to maintain honor.

Peter Fedorov is the Russian Colin Farrell in a stunning similarity. Kept expecting him to speak Russian with an Irish accent.

Teensy tiny bit of a love story . . . totally hokey, straight out of 1955. This is barely watchable.

This was one of the best period movies I have seen in quite a long time, if you are interested in Russian Culture or have been to St. Petersburg, speak Russian and German you may even like it more. I thought the movie was riveting, suspenseful, and engrossing. I found it hard to take my eyes off the screen, and will watch it again with my wife. The sets, costumes, locations, were as good as it gets. A must see for a foreign film.

First of all I didn't realize it was subtitled, the box didn't indicate that. Anyway, great settings, costumes, and the acting is good. I just turned it off because I'm so tired of so much violence in films. Films used to be an escape, now they are too realistic. The world is so troubled do we need so much sex and violence in films and now TV series. Just my opinion.

Saw it at TIFF 2016.

The sets and costumes are great and the story is engrossing, but be warned that this film is *extremely* violent in places. "Onegin" this is not!

Also, when they are speaking German, there is a Soviet-style voice-over instead of subtitles, so you can't actually hear what the actors are saying.

Overall, it was a very interesting experience!

I recommend seeing it if you are at all interested in Russian culture, but sadly this film is likely to be too lowbrow to meet the approval of the art-house crowd.

Very disappointing when a site fails to say it is not in English and is subtitled. I find myself just focused on reading the dialog and missing the video. If I wanted to read a book, I'd read a book. I want to watch a movie and not read a movie.

"The Duelist" turned out unexpectedly engaging to me. Dark, bloody, yet beautiful. The dark side of honor and the dark side of beauty.

Not historically accurate, yet very, very immersive. Most technical details are plain false. But that aura of Russian Grand Society feels so much true, so natural!

The best definition I could find for this movie is "Noir, transferred into the XIX-th century, Saint-Petersburg, Russia". There's much in common, really. Blood, death, wounds, tortures, nudity... plenty of this. As well as desperation, infamy, cruelty, scheming, femme fatale. Everything you can find in a typical noir. Only the place would be the capital of Russian Empire. Vast palaces, dirty streets, crowded soirees, the shade of the Royal Family, officers, nobles... and the duels!

A rare gem of late Russian cinema, really. Truly underrated.

I don't have nothing to add. It is absolutely amazing movie.

I've seen so much shitty movies with good ratings lately that this one lifted my spirits.

This film is very entertaining.

There was a time when honour and real men existed, what a mediocre epoch we are living today with our despising values and degenerated society.

Good acting and nice setting.

One of the best Russian movie I've seen.. very good cast performances, good storyline, good pace, good actions & drama (similar to Zorro).. won't make you feel boring.. lead actor Pyotr Fyodorov, I've seen him in Sputnik, The Blackout, Stalingrad & tv show, 'The Dyatlov Pass Incident' (recommended).. he's such an incredible actor !