The Duellists

The Duellists is a 1977 historical drama film and the directorial debut of Ridley Scott. It won the Best Debut Film award at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival. The basis of the screenplay is the Joseph Conrad short story The Duel titled Point of Honor in the United States published in A Set of Six.

The war interrupts the mens quarrel and they do not meet again until six months later in Augsburg in 1801. Feraud immediately challenges dHubert to another duel and seriously wounds him. Recovering, dHubert takes lessons from a fencing master and in the next duel held in a cellar with heavy sabres, the two men fight each other to a standstill. Soon afterwards, dHubert is relieved to learn he has been promoted to captain. Military discipline forbids officers of different ranks from duelling.The action moves to 1806 when dHubert is serving in Lbeck. He is shocked to hear that the 7th Hussars have arrived in the city and that Feraud is now also a captain. Aware that in two weeks time he is to be promoted to major, dHubert attempts to slip away but is spotted by Ferauds perpetual second. Feraud challenges him to another duel, which is to be fought on horseback with sabres. DHubert slashes his opponent across the forehead Feraud, blinded because the cut bleeds heavily into his eyes, cannot continue the fight. DHubert considers himself the victor and leaves the field ebullient. ........

Source: Wikipedia