In 1386 the last legally sanctioned duel in France took place between Sir Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and his once friend Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver). Carrouges was seeking justice following his wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer) accusing Le Gris of rape, a charge he denied. 

The story is told over three different chapters from each of our protagonists perspective. Just like Akira Kurosawa’s famous 1950 film Rashomon this means we have an element of unreliable narrators giving their best version of events. 

Damon’s Carrouges goes first and presents to us a noble and honourable man who cares for his wife but who is done wrong at every turn. Driver’s Le Gris is next, painting a picture of Carrouges as a stubborn and petty man. Le Gris himself has no qualms in painting himself as a ladies man who takes what he deserves. Then finally we see the truth. We see Comer’s Marguerite’s view of the world. One where men see women as property and her husband’s defence of her is really just a selfish defence of his own honour. 

The Last Duel is a captivating and riveting watch and what dazzles me the most here is how 83 year old director Ridley Scott seemingly makes it look so easy. This is an historical epic that has the grandeur and sweep of his previous films such as Gladiator and The Kingdom Of Heaven. 

The battle scenes are spectacular and wince inducing. We get to see Carrouges and Le Gris in previous campaigns so as to see their ability in the fray and the final duel will not let you down. 

The locations and costumes are splendid. Sweeping countryside, imposing castles and what appear to be stitch perfect cloaks, dresses and chain mail. 

The performances are also fascinating. Especially when you see the slight variation of each character in the different stories. Adam Driver stole the show for me though given the different versions of Le Gris. Although Damon and Comer are also excellent. It is also worth noting that Ben Affleck has a lot of fun as Pierre d’Alencon, a lord who favours Le Gris over Carrouges. 

The film was written by Damon and Affleck with Nicole Holofcener and is the first time the two actors have wrote together since 1997’s Good Will Hunting. Whilst not entirely subtle in presenting medieval male values as still prevalent today they certainly know how to spin an enjoyable yarn. 

A must watch movie by a master of his craft.