The Duellists (1978) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The Duellists is set primarily in Strasbourg and Lübeck, two historic European cities. Strasbourg provides the charming backdrop with its picturesque half-timbered houses representing French urban life, while Lübeck's medieval old town serves as another key location. These settings reflect the military and personal conflicts between the two protagonists.

• strasbourg
• lübeck
• setting
• locations
• france
• germany

The film takes place during the early 1800s, specifically during the Napoleonic era. This period was marked by significant political and social upheaval across Europe, with shifting allegiances and military campaigns shaping the continent. The historical context of the Napoleonic Wars provides the backdrop for the personal honor code and dueling culture that drives the rivalry between Feraud and d'Hubert.

• 1800s
• napoleonic era
• historical setting
• early 19th century

Honor is the central theme driving the rivalry between Gabriel Féraud and Armand d'Hubert. Their obsessive adherence to a strict code of conduct leads to a cycle of revenge and conflict that spans fifteen years. The film explores how the pursuit of honor can overshadow human connection and destroy lives, ultimately showing the destructive nature of obsession when it becomes disconnected from morality.

• honor
• duel
• code of conduct
• revenge
• obsession

The film portrays conflict on two interconnected levels: the personal vendetta between Féraud and d'Hubert, and the broader chaos of the Napoleonic Wars. Their repeated duels symbolize not just their personal grudge but also reflect the larger turmoil and violence of the era. The film suggests that conflict can become a way of life, consuming everything around it even as the original cause of the rivalry fades from memory.

• conflict
• war
• napoleonic wars
• duel
• personal vendetta

Adele represents the possibility of a peaceful life away from dueling and violence for Armand d'Hubert. She serves as a beacon of hope and love in the film, emphasizing the personal sacrifices made in pursuit of honor. Her relationship with d'Hubert highlights the contrast between the tranquility he seeks and the relentless violence surrounding him, illustrating how love can be both a refuge and a source of tension during turbulent times.

• adele
• love
• relationship
• romance
• peace

Gabriel Féraud is a passionate Bonapartist and skilled duelist portrayed by Harvey Keitel. He is driven by a fierce sense of honor that often leads him into conflict. His determination and relentless rivalry with d'Hubert showcase the destructive nature of obsession, demonstrating how a personal vendetta can consume a person's humanity over time, transforming him from a passionate soldier into a hollow man.

• gabriel feraud
• harvey keitel
• duelist
• bonapartist
• honor

Armand d'Hubert is a French lieutenant and dedicated officer portrayed by Keith Carradine, whose life becomes intertwined with the honor code of his era. Initially caught in the rivalry with Féraud, he evolves throughout the film as he grapples with the consequences of his choices. D'Hubert represents a man seeking peace amidst the chaos of war, ultimately finding a way to achieve a peaceful life by morally defeating his obsessed rival.

• armand d'hubert
• keith carradine
• lieutenant
• officer
• evolution

The contrasting settings of Strasbourg and Lübeck reinforce the film's exploration of honor and conflict within the broader context of European history. Strasbourg represents French military culture and urban sophistication, while Lübeck's medieval trading heritage provides a different perspective on European society during the Napoleonic period. These historically rich settings ground the personal rivalry in real historical circumstances, showing how individual honor codes existed within larger social and political upheavals.

• strasbourg
• lübeck
• historical locations
• european settings
• architecture

The Duellists presents obsession as a destructive force that consumes individuals over time. Gabriel Féraud's relentless pursuit of honor and revenge transforms him into a hollow man stripped of humanity, while Armand d'Hubert's evolution shows the possibility of moral growth. The film demonstrates how a grudge that begins from a minor disagreement can escalate into a fifteen-year cycle of violence, ultimately proving that obsessing over honor without regard for personal happiness leads to emptiness and loss.

• obsession
• revenge
• psychological
• hivalry
• transformation

The Napoleonic era setting is crucial because it provides the historical context that makes the characters' obsession with honor and dueling believable. During this period, personal honor codes were taken seriously, and dueling was an accepted way to resolve disputes among military officers. The era's emphasis on personal reputation and the code of conduct gives weight to the rivalry between Féraud and d'Hubert, making their fifteen-year conflict feel authentic to the time period.

• napoleonic wars
• historical context
• dueling culture
• military honor
• early 19th century