Anton Chekhov's The Duel

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Cast

Andrew Scott
as Laevsky

Fiona Glascott
as Nadya

Tobias Menzies
as Von Koren

Niall Buggy
as Samoylenko

Michelle Fairley
as Marya

Jeremy Swift
as Deacon

Nicolas Rowe
as Sheshkovsky

Nicholas Rowe
as Sheshkovsky

Debbie Chazen
as Olga

Rik Makarem
as Atchmianov

Simon Trinder
as Postal Superintendent

Graham Turner
as Atchmianov Senior

Alistair Cameron
as Ustimovitch

Mislav Cavajda
as Kirilin

Matija Jaksekovic
as Officer 1

Alan Katic
as Officer 2

Boris Bakal
as Clerk

Tvrtko Juric
as Mustapha

Goran Vrbanic
as Fyodor

Milan Banjanin
as Shopkeep

Tomislav Kozic
as Govorosky

Mario Kozic
as Boyko

Ilya Sarossy
as Ilyana

Geraldine O'Rawe
as Ilyana's Mother

Nina Serdarevic
as Katya

Maya Kosashvili
as Woman with Baby

Medea Kosashvili
as Woman with Baby

Juraj Krsevan Dovranic
as Dmitri

Sreten Mokrovic
as Nikodim

Juliana Overmeer
as Lady with Lapdog

Douglas Ellis
as Promenading Family

Mary Bing
as Promenading Family

Lucy Grace Ellis
as Promenading Family

Anton Ellis
as Promenading Family

Neven Jercel
as Tatar Horseman/Mountaineer

Mladen Vulic
as Kerbalay

Franka Gulin
as Blind Masseuse

Dubravko Vusak
as Organ Grinder

Dubravko Vusac
as Organ Grinder

Tea Matanovic
as Lovely Young Woman

Marijana Mikulic
as Lovely Young Woman

Igor Staki Sestric
as Stevedore

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Critic Reviews for Anton Chekhov's The Duel

Audience Reviews for Anton Chekhov's The Duel

• Jun 19, 2012

  An aristocrat who questions his relationship with a married woman incites the ire of a scientist in the Russian countryside. Everything worth loving about Chekhov - the subtlety, the well-drawn characters, the crises of conscience - is here and filmed beautifully. I especially liked the performance by Andrew Scott as Vanya who performs a scene that is described in the script as "hysterics," but I think the best phrase is an "existential paroxysm." <i>The Duel</i> is a film built on subtext, and it takes a sharp, discerning eye to appreciate why the characters behave as they do, each action sharply motivated. I thought that the subplot of Vanya's financial difficulties was never resolved, but I suspect that an apologia for this film would suggest that larger existential issues over-weighed money; it's true, but a commitment to solving all his problems would not have been hard to show. Overall, Anton Chekhov is one of world literature's great writers, and <i>The Duel</i> displays all the great aspects of his work.
  Jim H Super Reviewer
• Jun 17, 2012

  A Russian tale that takes a fleeting look at the human condition, accomplished with smart production values, as a dissolute clerk and a fastidious budding scientist disagree about life itself and how it should be lived. Of course there is a confused woman between them. Not bad at all.
  Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
• May 27, 2012

  As Laevsky(Andrew Scott, of "Sherlock") confides to his friend Samoylenko(Niall Buggy), he no longer loves his lover Nadia(Fiona Glascott), a spendthrift. What truly frightens Laevsky is that he has a letter in his possession that tells him that Nadia's husband is now dead, of which she is unaware. And once she is aware, it is a one way trip to the altar. For this and other reasons, Von Koren(Tobias Menzies) does not like Laevsky, feeling that in his day affairs were conducted entirely in private. Plus, Laevsky outdoes himself when it comes to sloth and indolence. With its deliberate pace and excellent cinematography, "The Duel" is an evocative movie that bottles one point in time, allowing us to observe it at our leisure. But then time is never entirely static as the people along with the social mores of the era are evolving however slowly. Also this serves as a valuable reminder that lovers and spouses are two separate categories of people but that does not mean they cannot be loved in the same ways. And who knew a movie based on a work by Anton Chekhov could be so darn sexy?
  Walter M Super Reviewer
• Dec 18, 2010

  Cast: Andrew Scott, Fiona Glascott, Tobias Menzies, Niall Buggy, Nicholas Rowe, Michelle Fairley, Debbie Chazen, Graham Turner, Jeremy Swift Director: Dover Koshashvili Summary: Chekhov's psychological insights and piercing humor illuminate the screen in this beautifully filmed drama about Laevsky (Andrew Scott), a narcissistic civil servant whose impetuous decision to leave his married mistress, Nadya (Fiona Glascott), sparks shocking reverberations. Pragmatic scientist Von Koren (Tobias Menzies), outraged by Laevsky's thoughtlessness, challenges him to a duel, and the trio's emotional entanglements overwhelm them. My Thoughts: "Laevsky is very self loathing and seems to be dealing, or I should say not dealing, with his personal demons and his many regrets. He has turned to gambling and alcohol to help him cope with Nadya, his mistress, a married woman. 'The Duel', is such a small part of the film that when it is brought to light is when you remember that is the title of the film. I think this is one of those films that is better on paper then on screen. It just didn't flow very well and some parts where never explained. I guess reading the book before watching the film would help better explain some of the scenes in the film. The movie was funny in some parts and wasn't completely a bore. I enjoyed the scenery in the film and great costumes. But the story just didn't do it for me."
  &#9829;&#745;&#435;&#1048;&#1048; & Super Reviewer

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