The duelists

[S4f]

Watched this on Pluto this morning while an older film it still holds up well.
One of Ridley Scott' best
The main characters fight 5 duels over the course of the film
In real life Fournier and Dupont who the film is based on fought 17 duels over 19 years

 

[NCLivingBrit]

I've read several things about the excellent historical veracity of the fights in that movie.

 

[jimmyjames8]

Were they both just bad shots or what? Ive seen the movie a couple times but its been a while. Just read Wiki entry. Thats a lot to take in. Seems like to movie was overly long too. The more I read and see documentaries on war and soldiers who survived, they were or are just damn lucky and the only thing that could kill them was old age.

 

[S4f]

Were they both just bad shots or what? Ive seen the movie a couple times but its been a while. Just read Wiki entry. Thats a lot to take in. Seems like to movie was overly long too. The more I read and see documentaries on war and soldiers who survived, they were or are just damn lucky and the only thing that could kill them was old age.

They dueled with swords, more than pistols,
Both were wounded countless times but dueled by a code of honor. If one was wounded and couldn't continue they were aloud to heal till the next time
They actually went as far as to draw up a contract they if stationed within 100 miles of one another they were honor bound to fight

 

[711b]

Not quite the same thing, but you might be interested in Aldo Nadi's book (autobiography) The Living Sword. Fascinating (and somewhat strange) guy, and his description of the realities and pragmatics of dueling (including a genuine duel in which he participated, Chap. 17) are eye-opening. When I was fencing, his book On Fencing was one of my primary technique and "attitude" guides.

 

[711b]

Were they both just bad shots or what?

Many (especially earlier) dueling pistols were smooth bore and had only a front sight (if any at all). You try hitting something with a weapon like that! 😂😂 You might do better by throwing it.

 

[S4f]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...0QFnoECC4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1802Voao8NLR61ZerWGbay
This is an interesting read on the actual duelists

 

[711b]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...0QFnoECC4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1802Voao8NLR61ZerWGbay
This is an interesting read on the actual duelists

Yes, interesting. But I'm not believing things like this ...

"He knew Fournier was a crack shot, who had often shot the smoking pipes out of the mouths of his fellow soldiers from a galloping horse, through an open window, as they smoked in the local tavern. At a distance of twenty-five paces, Fournier liked to shoot small coins held out by his servant between thumb and forefinger."

Now, if the claim was that he had done this blindfolded, I might reconsider. Or while aiming backwards on horseback using a shaving mirror. Or ... well, you get the idea. 😂 😂

 

[rufrdr]

Many (especially earlier) dueling pistols were smooth bore and had only a front sight (if any at all). You try hitting something with a weapon like that! 😂😂 You might do better by throwing it.

Honor was satisfied if shots were fired and missed. Some duelists discharged their piece into the ground rather than aim at the opponent.