Duel

Duel (1971)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Dennis Weaver
Memorable Line(s): "I mean if you think you can just... just take that... that truck of yours and use it as a murder weapon and uh... killin' people on the highway... you're wrong!"

* Small Screen Gem *
Man verse machine isn't a new concept but Spielberg makes the most of this tense duel between a man in a car and a terrifying truck.

Spare in so many ways, the dialog is cut to a minimum, "Duel" take a solitary commuter (Weaver) who finds himself menaced by a large oil truck as he make his way to a business engagement. What started out as a little road hogging suddenly escalates into a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Based on a story by Richard Matheson, the concepts sounds like it would wear thin quickly, but Spielberg wrings tension and suspense out just about every moment. We relate to the driver's plight as the truck bears down him. We feel his isolation and desperation as he tries to get his little car away from the juggernaut of the truck.

As far as acting goes, the movie is Weaver's from beginning to end with a few incidental parts thrown in. The truck is the other main character as Spielberg decides to never show us the driver or even let us know the driver's motivations. In fact, not knowing makes the film even more terrifying.

Originally filmed for TV, the movie did get a theatrical release because it was so effectively produced. This is the movie that got Spielberg noticed for his obvious talent. This is movie that will make you take a second glance the next time your review mirror is filled with the reflection a truck's grill.