'Duel' (1971) - Film Review

Figure 1: Duel (1971) [Original Poster]

This review analyses Steven Spielberg’s well-know action thriller film Duel (1971), explicitly focusing on the character of David and how he can fit into Vladimir Propp’s theory of archetypes. Referring to the work of Vladimir Propp’s publication ‘Morphology of the folktale’ (1968) focusing on Propp’s theory,  the BBC’s article ‘Narrative techniques’ (2019) on Propp’s theory and how this aids in the progress of the narrative, Nathan Kiehn’s writings ‘The Proppian Analysis for Fiction’ (2018) looking into Propp’s theory further, Darren Fuge’s video documentary entitled ‘RICHARD MATHESON THE WRITING OF DUEL’ (2015) containing Matheson’s (the writer of Duel) thoughts about the film and the characters within his novel,  Priscilla Page’s work ‘Road rage in the rear-view: Looking back at Spielberg’s frightening Duel’ (2018) focusing on the interaction between David and the truck, and lastly Nyla Smith writings ‘Brand Archetypes — Meet the Hero’ (2016) focusing on the hero archetype within Propp’s theory. This review aims to highlight how David Mann fits into the theory of Propp, but also look and how the character can also be shown in a different light.

Duel tells the story of business man David Mann, who is perceived as an everyman with an average job, who has trouble standing up for himself. While driving through a dessert for an important appointment, Mann overtakes a large, rusty truck. The driver takes offence and devotes the rest of the journey trying to kill Mann. Mann faces a series of problems with the truck driver, always escaping him however, the last battle although successful, doesn’t make Mann content. (Rmlohner. (N/A))

In Propp’s publication ‘Morphology of the Folktale’ (1968) Propp formed a system that put traditional fairy-tale characters into archetypes categories, these accumulated into eight sperate themes. These consisted of: the villain, the helper, the father, the princess (or prize), the donor, the dispatcher, the false hero, and the hero. Propp’s theory mainly focuses on discovering the fundamental components that become the basic foundation for the different types of stories. “Functions of character serve as stable, constant elements in a tale, independent of how and by whom they are fulfilled. They constitute the fundamental components of a tale.”. (Propp 1968)) Propp claimed that the majority of stories were character-driven and focused on the narrative that evolved from the characters interactions and decisions from these archetypes. (BBC (2019))
The hero archetype is one that best suits David Mann. The hero archetype is based around the concept of rising to the challenge, and in doing so seeks to protect and often inspire others. Whether this be on the battleground, or the playground, the hero is determined, and often at the risk of great sacrifice. (Smith, N. (2016)) This is clearly depicted within the character of David, illustrated through his on-going duel with the villain of the film the truck.

Figure 2: Truck is the villain [Film still] Duel (1971)

The truck throughout the film seeks to ultimately kill Mann, which is one of the main foundation points for the villain archetype within Propp’s theory. The villain’s main purpose within the narrative is to in threaten the hero or block the hero for their achievement. In this case the villain is the truck, which seeks to block Mann (the hero) from his destination, by attempting to kill him. The villain is also seen as an archetype to be feared. Spielberg appeals to this archetype by never showing the audience the identity of the villain, only the truck. This is a technique often used by Spielberg as he recognizes that fear of the unknown, is one of the greatest fears, which Duel uses to its advantage. “The truck was the antagonist. In the story, it had to have a personality. The effect of not seeing the driver makes the real villain of the film the truck itself, rather than the driver.” (Steven Spielberg, 2004) By not knowing who he is up against, it makes the hero of the film, Mann all more so at a greater risk, only heightening his connection with the hero archetype.

The entire film focuses on the battle between the two sides. By having Mann defeat machine, it emphasises Mann’s role as the hero, as he alone destroys the villain. Along the journey the audience also witnesses Mann face internal and physical struggle of facing the villain. “Of course, even though he was a totally non-heroic type how he caused the man’s destruction who had been trying to kill him” (Matheson, 2004)

However, he then overcomes this finding his courage similar to that of a hero archetype, although he is not protecting someone in his act, he still saves himself, once again basing his character around the concept of the hero archetype, whose sole purpose is to protect and rise to the challenge.

Figure 3: David saves himself [Film still] Duel (1971)

Although Mann can be considered the hero of the film, he still arguably does not fit entirely into tis archetype. Traditionally, the hero archetype consists of a character that has stereotypically masculine traits throughout. However, Mann displays these characteristics at certain points within the fil, leaving it debatable as to whether he fully fits the criteria for the archetype. (Smith, 2016)

Figure 4: David Mann feeling paranoid because of the truck [Film still] Duel (1971)

From the beginning of the film, it is clear to the audience that Mann becomes easily swayed by his emotions, often lacking the courage that the hero archetype usually displays. At times within the film he often gives in to his anxiety and paranoia, constantly turning to watch the truck and make pit stops and various gas stations and cafes (see fig 4).

It can also be argued that although Mann does ultimately defeat the villain through sacrifice, in this case destroying the truck, and in doing so also destroying his car. Spielberg leaves the ending of the film much to be desired, with the audience left watching Mann ponder and sit on the desert landscape, making his triumph rather vague as the results of his ‘achievement’ (the sole purpose of the hero archetype) is not shown, and are instead left with a still conflicted Mann.

To conclude, David’s character can be placed into Propp’s hero archetype within his theory as he is the overall hero of the narrative. However, arguably David’s character has more of a dimension to him, so he can also be considered to fit outside of this archetype, as he doesn’t quite fulfill his role of hero by the end of the film, as the audience is left with a vague ending with his ‘triumph’ over ‘evil’.

Bibliography

BBC (2019), Narrative Techniques. [Online] At: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zgydhv4/revision/1 (Accessed 8/2/2019). 

Fandom (2017), David Mann [Online] At: https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/David_Mann (Accessed on 8/2/2019) 

Keihn, N. (2018), The Proppian Analysis For Fiction. [Online] At: https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Proppian-Analysis-for-Fiction (Accessed 8/2/2019). 

Matheson, R. (2004), The Writing Of Duel. [Video uploaded on YouTube, 'RICHARD MATHESON THE WRITING OF DUEL' (2015) [Online] At: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I766_4-li14 (Accessed 8/2/2019). 

Page. P (2018), Road rage in the rearview: Looking back at Spielberg’s frightening Duel [Online] At: https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2018/04/20/road-rage-in-the-rearview-rewatching-duel (Accessed on 8/2/2019) 

Propp, Vladimir. Morphology of the Foltake. Trans. Laurence Scott. 2nd edition. Austin and London: U of Texas P. 1968. Print.

Rmlohner. (N/A). Duel (1971 TV Movie) Plot. [Online] At: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067023/plotsummary. (Accessed 9/2/2019).

Smith, N. (2016), Brand Archetypes: Meet the Hero. [Online] At: http://www.nvision-that.com/design-from-all-angles/brand-archetype-the-hero (Accessed 8/2/2019). 

Harvard Illustration List

Figure 1: Duel (1971) [Original Poster] Bord, C (2015). Spielberg Film-by-Film: Duel (1971). [Online] At: https://mossislandsounds.com/2015/05/27/spielberg-film-by-film-duel-1971/  (Accessed on 8/2/2019)

Figure 2: Truck is the villain [Film still] Duel (1971), dir. Steven Spielberg] [Online] At: http://www.autofoundry.com/5772/the-truck-from-the-movie-duel/ (Accessed on 8/2/2019)

Figure 3: David saves himself [Film still] Duel (1971), dir. Steven Spielberg] [Online] At: http://the-haunted-closet.blogspot.com/2015/03/spielbergs-duel-1971-and-incredible.html (Accessed on 8/2/2019)

Figure 4: David Mann feeling paranoid because of the truck [Film still] Duel (1971)

dir. Steven Spielberg] [Online] At: http://www.ptsnob.com/2013/04/early-spielberg-marathon-duel-1971.html  (Accessed on 8/2/2019)