Watch The Duelist

The Duelist is a 2016 Russian-language film directed by Alexey Mizgirev and stars Pyotr Fyodorov, Vladimir Mashkov, and Yuliya Khlynina. Set in nineteenth-century Russia, the film follows a former army officer named Yakovlev (Fyodorov), who becomes a professional duelist after being dishonorably discharged from the service. Yakovlev's job is to serve as a proxy for wealthy clients who wish to settle their disputes through a duel. The duels are highly regulated and conducted under strict rules, but they are nonetheless brutal and often deadly affairs that take a heavy toll on Yakovlev's body and soul.

As the film begins, Yakovlev is hired by a mysterious and wealthy woman named Countess Dobrovol'skaya (Khlynina) to duel with a man named Prince Tuchkov (Mashkov). Tuchkov is widely considered to be the best duelist in all of St. Petersburg, and Yakovlev knows that the odds are stacked against him.

Despite this, Yakovlev agrees to the match, and the two men engage in a fiercely contested duel that ends in a draw. The Countess is dissatisfied with this outcome and offers Yakovlev a large sum of money to continue fighting Tuchkov until one of them is killed.

Yakovlev agrees to this, and over the course of several more duels, he and Tuchkov develop a kind of grudging respect for each other. However, as the duels continue and Yakovlev becomes more and more injured, he begins to question whether this life is worth living.

In addition to the central dueling storyline, The Duelist also explores themes of honor, duty, and redemption. Yakovlev is a deeply flawed character who is haunted by his past and the things he has done in service to his country. As the film progresses, he must confront these demons and decide whether he can live with the person he has become.

The Duelist features stunning cinematography and production design that transports the viewer back to nineteenth-century Russia. The costumes and sets are meticulously crafted to create a sense of authenticity, and the dueling scenes are intense and visceral.

Overall, The Duelist is a compelling and beautifully made film that offers a fresh take on the classic dueling genre. It is a must-see for fans of historical dramas and action films alike.

The Duelist is a 2016 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 55.