A slight initial disagreement kicks off this film, resulting in a duel between the respectable "d'Hubert" (Keith Carradine) and the easily angered "Feraud" (Harvey Keitel). The fight doesn’t have a clear resolution, and from there the story follows them through several re-matches, interwoven with their experiences during Napoleon’s ascent and decline in France around the early 1800s. Joseph Conrad's original story is full of memorable characters, and Ridley Scott brings that to life with sharp, frequently amusing dialogue and two strong, captivating performances from the leads, alongside some enjoyable sword fighting sequences. The film boasts an exceptionally talented ensemble cast—a rarity for a period piece without a romantic focus. Albert Finney, Edward Fox, Tom Conti, Robert Stephens, who is performing well, and Cristina Raines as "Adèle" all deliver noteworthy contributions. Their costumes are impeccable, and the settings perfectly complement this gritty and war-ravaged narrative. The central idea is cleverly constructed; it has an expected plot but also offers pointed commentary on arrogance, the meaninglessness of conflict, and human foolishness—all presented in a way that remains impactful today. It’s evident the production operated with budgetary constraints, which occasionally shows up in continuity errors or repetitive background actors portraying soldiers, but ultimately, it demonstrates what can be achieved within a shorter film when you have a strong story, capable performers, and imaginative direction.

Source on TMDB