Five years after The Last Duel arrived, Ridley Scott’s 2021 epic is worth revisiting for the craft behind it. Directed by Scott from a screenplay by Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, it is based on Eric Jager’s 2004 book The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France. Set in 14th century France, the film stars Matt Damon as Jean de Carrouges, a knight who challenges his former friend, squire Jacques le Gris, played by Adam Driver, to a judicial duel.
A first pass that never was
The project was initially announced in July 2015, with Francis Lawrence planning to direct and Shaun Grant writing the screenplay. No further development was announced, and the film rights lapsed.
Ridley Scott takes the helm
In July 2019, Deadline Hollywood announced that Ridley Scott was planning to direct, with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon set to star as well as write the screenplay with Nicole Holofcener. With Walt Disney Studios holding the rights after the Disney–Fox merger, it was unknown if the company would produce the film; Deadline Hollywood added that “every studio in town was waiting in the wings” should Disney sell the rights.
The cast falls into place
In September 2019, Jodie Comer entered negotiations to join the cast and was confirmed the following month. Adam Driver entered negotiations after Affleck opted to play a different supporting role, and Driver was confirmed in November, with Disney stating it would distribute the film by setting a release date. Harriet Walter was added to the cast in February 2020.
A historian joins the French shoot
Dr. Lorris Chevalier, at the time a PhD student and curator in Berze castle, joined the project as historical advisor. Filming began on February 14, 2020, in Dordogne, France, and continued until March 12, 2020, in the medieval castle of Berzé-le-Châtel near Mâcon, Burgundy, France.
300 crew and real abbeys
The Berzé-le-Châtel shoot used a film crew of 300 people including 100 extras. Several scenes were also shot at the 11th-century Cistercian Abbaye de Fontfroide in Narbonne, Aude, France.
COVID delays the Irish leg
Filming was planned for Bective Abbey, Cahir Castle and locations across Dublin and County Wicklow from March 23 to March 30, 2020. On March 13, Disney delayed the shoot indefinitely over COVID-19 and travel restrictions. Filming resumed late September and concluded in Ireland on October 14, 2020.
A score for three perspectives
Harry Gregson-Williams composed the film score, his third collaboration with Scott after Kingdom of Heaven (2005) and The Martian (2015). Released by Hollywood Records on October 15, 2021, it used vocal elements from Voces8 led by Grace Davidson, orchestral elements, and medieval and contemporary instrumentation to highlight the three main characters and the events that led to the titular duel.
From Venice to a 45-day run
The Last Duel was originally scheduled for a limited theatrical release on December 25, 2020, before a wide release on January 8, 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the date back a year to October 15, 2021. It had its world premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 10, 2021, and played exclusively in theaters for 45 days before heading to digital platforms.
A box-office bomb that streamed
The Last Duel grossed $10.9 million in the United States and Canada and $19.7 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $30.6 million. It debuted to $4.8 million, finishing fifth and marking the worst opening of Scott’s career. JustWatch later ranked it the second most watched film across all platforms in the United States for the week ending January 16, 2022.
Which production detail stands out to you from The Last Duel’s five-year journey?
Facts from Wikipedia: The Last Duel (2021 film), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Film images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.