An enormous, lumbering horse opera, done up like an oversexed prize-winning bronco but revealing itself as a florid cartoon nag. DUEL is full of grand spectacle, steamy sensualism, and a storyline that could have snaked only out of Hollywood; it was Selznick's hymn to the allure of
Jennifer Jones (in for Hedy Lamarr and, unbelievably, Teresa Wright--both were pregnant) and her failing entry into the Jane Russell/OUTLAW sex-goddess sweepstakes. Gregory Peck actually plays the studly bully who loves her (original choice when the project began in 1944 was John Wayne, but the
dubious sex angle made him squeamish), and lightning blazes when they kiss. How to criticize a...
Released:
1946
Rated:
NR
Length:
138 mins