Is The Long Duel Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Long Duel is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 115 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Long Duel Review
Last updated: January 11, 2026
The Premise
Released in 1967, The Long Duel enters the Drama genre with a narrative focused on An idealistic colonial police officer is sent to capture a rebel leader who threatens the stability of the Raj's north-west frontier. Under the direction of Ken Annakin, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Yul Brynner, Trevor Howard, Charlotte Rampling. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Mastery & Style
From a technical standpoint, The Long Duel offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.
Social Impact & Cultural Context
Beyond the narrative, The Long Duel resonates with current cultural themes in the Drama space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
Where to Watch & Streaming Info
As of January 2026, The Long Duel is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US, UK, and India, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release. Don't miss the high-definition experience provided by premium large format (PLF) screenings.
Narrative Arc & Plot Breakdown
The plot of The Long Duel centers on a unique premise within the Drama landscape. An idealistic colonial police officer is sent to capture a rebel leader who threatens the stability of the Raj's north-west frontier. Despite his official colonial capacity, the policeman is impressed by the ingenuity and integrity of his enemy and is determined to arrest him alive rather than bring him in dead as his superiors might wish. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 1967 cinema will find fairly predictable.
Ending Explained & Sequel Potential
The ending of The Long Duel has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a The Long Duel sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final Editorial Verdict
Final verdict for The Long Duel (1967): with an audience rating of 5.1/10, the reception has been divisive. It is a recommended for fans of Drama, Action, Adventure cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
Parents Guide & Age Rating
The Long Duel has not been officially rated yet. However, due to its genre classification (Drama, Action, Adventure), viewers should expect violence, action sequences.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.1/10, and global collection metrics, The Long Duel stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1967 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Long Duel movie hit or flop?
The Long Duel has received mixed reviews with a 5.1/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Long Duel worth watching?
The Long Duel is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Action, Adventure movies, but read reviews first.
What genre is The Long Duel?
The Long Duel is a Drama, Action, Adventure movie that An idealistic colonial police officer is sent to capture a rebel leader who threatens the stability of the Raj's north-west frontier. Despite his offi...
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People Also Ask (FAQs)
Is The Long Duel movie hit or flop?
The Long Duel has received mixed reviews with a 5.1/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Long Duel worth watching?
The Long Duel is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Action, Adventure movies, but read reviews first.
What genre is The Long Duel?
The Long Duel is a Drama, Action, Adventure movie that An idealistic colonial police officer is sent to capture a rebel leader who threatens the stability of the Raj's north-west frontier. Despite his offi...
Is The Long Duel family friendly?
The Long Duel is a Drama, Action, Adventure movie. Please check the content rating before watching with family.
Where can I watch The Long Duel?
You can find streaming options and availability for The Long Duel on popular platforms. Check movieMx for the latest updates and reviews.
Who is the main cast of The Long Duel?
The Long Duel features a talented cast. Check our "Top Cast" section to see the full list of actors and the characters they play in this film.
How long is the movie The Long Duel?
The runtime and duration of The Long Duel are available in the movie details section. It's a gripping story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Critic Reviews
Just…long… Run of the mill historical adventure yarn set on India’s North-West Frontier during the British Raj. Yul Brynner plays rebel tribesman Sultan who is pursued by Brit copper Freddy Young (Trevor Howard), who while chasing down the enigmatic rebel comes to respect him and is unwilling to execute the justice requested by his superiors. The intent to make an historical epic of some worth, that is based on facts, is honourable. It looks nice with an authentic feel to the surroundings of the story, if only it wasn’t so laboured, so full of inane posturing and poorly scripted characters, then it might just about crawl its way to being just above average. It rarely excites, director Ken Annakin unable to inject life into the more perkier aspects of plotting, and a cast that also features Harry Andrews, Charlotte Rampling, Virginia North and Andrew Keir, aren’t tasked with much more than reading their lines efficiently. All in all, not very convincing away form the location photography and costuming. 4/10
"Sultan" (Yul Brynner) leads his largely peaceable tribe as the days of the Raj increasingly impose themselves on their day-to-day living. Imprisoned after a raid, they manage to break out of the fort but one of their guards is killed, This serves to galvanise the Governor (Maurice Denham) to appoint a solider tasked with apprehending this man before his disorder spreads. To that end he engages the rather unpopular but effective "Capt. Young" (Trevor Howard). What now ensues are a series of cat-and-mouse escapades as each man vies for the upper hand. The story of a principled man fighting for freedom against the oppressor is quite effective and both Brynner and Howard are on reasonable form as the two characters begin to respect each other, but the rest of the cast - especially the sterile Harry Andrews as "Stafford" and the even more curiously cast Andrew Keir as the turban-clad "Gungaram" - rather let the thing down. The (Spanish) location photography adds richness to the story and there is enough action to help us overlook a rather implausible romance between Howard and "Jane" (Charlotte Rampling) and the rather wordy dialogue that dogs this otherwise adequate costume drama. It ends in rather an underwhelming, if optimistic, fashion but I like the genre and this is perfectly watchable - just a bit long and not very memorable.