Anton Chekhov's The Duel

About the Film

In Anton Chekhov's The Duel, escalating animosity between two men with opposing philosophies of life is played out against the backdrop of a decaying seaside resort along the Black Sea coast. Laevsky is a dissipated romantic given to gambling and flirtation. He has run off to the sea with beautiful, emotionally empty, Nadya, another man's wife. Laevsky has now grown tired of her, but two obstacles block his route to escape: he is broke, and he faces the absolute enmity of Von Koren, an arrogant zoologist and former friend who can no longer tolerate Laevsky's irresponsibility. Soon Laevsky confronts Von Koren, accusing him of meddling in his affairs, but Von Koren maneuvers a criticism Laevsky makes of their mutual friend, Dr. Samoylenko, into a challenge to a duel. Utterly discombobulated and honor bound, Laevsky agrees to this absurdity -- a duel it shall be! A duel as comically inadvertent as it is inevitable.

Reactions

4 STARS! Deft, droll and languorously sexy…. This film is indeed something like a miracle. — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

At the heart of this film, which goes to the heart of Chekhov, is a deep understanding of human nature, human strength and human need. This is smart, inspired, no-fuss entertainment." — San Francisco Chronicle

Chekhov never offered a more tempting sample of sexual ripeness… — New Yorker

Cast & Crew

Cast

Laevsky: Andrew Scott
Nadya: Fiona Glascott
Von Koren: Tobias Menzies
Samoylenko: Niall Buggy
Sheshkovsky:Nicholas Rowe

Marya: Michelle Fairley

Crew

Director: Dover Kosashvili
Screenplay: Mary Bing, Anton Checkov (novel)
Producer: Donald Rosenfeld
Cinematography: Paul Sarossy
Editing: Kate Williams
Production Design: Ivo Husnjak
Music: Angelo Milli

Technical Info

Production Year: 2009
Countries of Production: UK, US
Languages: English
Running Time: 1h 35m
Screen Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Dolby Digital
Color: Color
Rating: Unrated

Anton Chekhov's The Duel - Press Page

Reactions

4 STARS! Deft, droll and languorously sexy…. This film is indeed something like a miracle. — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

At the heart of this film, which goes to the heart of Chekhov, is a deep understanding of human nature, human strength and human need. This is smart, inspired, no-fuss entertainment." — San Francisco Chronicle

Chekhov never offered a more tempting sample of sexual ripeness… — New Yorker

Detailed Film Info

In Anton Chekhov's The Duel, escalating animosity between two men with opposing philosophies of life is played out against the backdrop of a decaying seaside resort along the Black Sea coast. Laevsky is a dissipated romantic given to gambling and flirtation. He has run off to the sea with beautiful, emotionally empty, Nadya, another man's wife. Laevsky has now grown tired of her, but two obstacles block his route to escape: he is broke, and he faces the absolute enmity of Von Koren, an arrogant zoologist and former friend who can no longer tolerate Laevsky's irresponsibility. Soon Laevsky confronts Von Koren, accusing him of meddling in his affairs, but Von Koren maneuvers a criticism Laevsky makes of their mutual friend, Dr. Samoylenko, into a challenge to a duel. Utterly discombobulated and honor bound, Laevsky agrees to this absurdity -- a duel it shall be! A duel as comically inadvertent as it is inevitable.

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