A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.
- Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 3 wins & 5 nominations total
Carey Loftin
- The Truck Driver
- (as Cary Loftin)
Dale Van Sickel
- Car Driver
- (as Dale VanSickle)
Lance Cormier
- Slow Man in Cafe
- (uncredited)
Shawn Steinman
- Girl on school bus
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to Richard Matheson, he was inspired to write the original short story "Duel" after an encounter with a tailgating truck driver on November 22, 1963, the day that John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
- GoofsWhen Mann approaches the phone booth at the "Snakerama" he says "Odd place for a telephone booth," and gets inside, closing the door behind him. The camera pans to the right slightly, revealing the reflection of Steven Spielberg in the lower right-hand side of the glass panel, wearing what appears to be a blue Hawaiian shirt, glancing up and down at the script in his hands. Behind him, the truck's reflection can also be seen.
- Quotes
David Mann: You can't beat me on the grade. You can't beat me on the grade!
- Crazy creditsA scene plays out over the credits where David Mann sits on the edge of the cliff throwing stones.
- Alternate versionsFor the German DVD release, the film was entirely redubbed.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Incredible Hulk: Never Give a Trucker an Even Break (1978)
- SoundtracksBrush Those Tears from Your Eyes
(uncredited)
Written by Al Trace (as Clem Watts), Oakley Haldeman and James Lee
Published by MCA Music (ASCAP)
Featured review
A brilliant study in minimalist suspense and terror
This film is the perfect example that you don't need a gigantic budget, sound names, great publicity or a little push from someone famous to create a cult classic. All it takes is talent and Spielberg has repeatedly shown us that he has plenty of it. It was filmed in a modest budget, the characters hardly talk and the plot is quite simple: it is the story of a man being chased in a highway by an truck. However it was filmed in such a way that it literally sticks you to the screen, never being boring for one second. The truck (not the driver) is the main protagonist of the story, a menacing character who chases a man to death for no particular reason. It plays marveously with our most intimate fear: the unknown. An absolute must see, a cult classic. this is a unique film.
This film is the perfect example that you don't need a gigantic budget, sound names, great publicity or a little push from someone famous to create a cult classic. All it takes is talent and Spielberg has repeatedly shown us that he has plenty of it. It was filmed in a modest budget, the characters hardly talk and the plot is quite simple: it is the story of a man being chased in a highway by an truck. However it was filmed in such a way that it literally sticks you to the screen, never being boring for one second. The truck (not the driver) is the main protagonist of the story, a menacing character who chases a man to death for no particular reason. It plays marveously with our most intimate fear: the unknown. An absolute must see, a cult classic. this is a unique film.
- THE-BEACON-OF-MOVIES-RAFA
- Feb 22, 2021
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $450,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $2,544
- Runtime1 hour 30 minutes
- Color
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