A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.
- Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 3 wins & 5 nominations total
Carey Loftin
- The Truck Driver
- (as Cary Loftin)
Dale Van Sickel
- Car Driver
- (as Dale VanSickle)
Lance Cormier
- Slow Man in Cafe
- (uncredited)
Shawn Steinman
- Girl on school bus
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Carey Loftin, playing the truck driver, asked Steven Spielberg what his motivation was for tormenting the car's driver, Spielberg told him, "You're a dirty, rotten, no-good son of a bitch." Loftin replied, "Kid, you hired the right man."
- GoofsWhen Mann approaches the phone booth at the "Snakerama" he says "Odd place for a telephone booth," and gets inside, closing the door behind him. The camera pans to the right slightly, revealing the reflection of Steven Spielberg in the lower right-hand side of the glass panel, wearing what appears to be a blue Hawaiian shirt, glancing up and down at the script in his hands. Behind him, the truck's reflection can also be seen.
- Quotes
David Mann: You can't beat me on the grade. You can't beat me on the grade!
- Crazy creditsA scene plays out over the credits where David Mann sits on the edge of the cliff throwing stones.
- Alternate versionsFor the German DVD release, the film was entirely redubbed.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Incredible Hulk: Never Give a Trucker an Even Break (1978)
- SoundtracksBrush Those Tears from Your Eyes
(uncredited)
Written by Al Trace (as Clem Watts), Oakley Haldeman and James Lee
Published by MCA Music (ASCAP)
Featured review
Turnpike Tag
Although Dennis Weaver is probably best known for his two small screen TV series McCloud and Gunsmoke, there are those that hold out for his career role being the frightened and harassed driver in Duel.
Some years ago I was with two friends and a passenger in a car going on the Thruway in Upstate New York. Some idiot truckdriver thought we had offended him some how and chased us through several miles. We eluded him by going into a service station and driving around until he could not maneuver that big rig. I know exactly what Dennis Weaver was going through.
Weaver plays Mr. Average man on his way home from a business trip when some how he offends a faceless truckdriver whom we never see, but whose power behind that tanker truck we definitely feel right along with Weaver. Unless you're driving a bus you are no position to play turnpike tag with a big rig.
In the end Weaver decides he's so mad he stops being frightened and looks to take him down any way he can.
Weaver's performance is a one man tour de force. As much as Spencer Tracy in The Old Man And The Sea. One not to be missed.
Some years ago I was with two friends and a passenger in a car going on the Thruway in Upstate New York. Some idiot truckdriver thought we had offended him some how and chased us through several miles. We eluded him by going into a service station and driving around until he could not maneuver that big rig. I know exactly what Dennis Weaver was going through.
Weaver plays Mr. Average man on his way home from a business trip when some how he offends a faceless truckdriver whom we never see, but whose power behind that tanker truck we definitely feel right along with Weaver. Unless you're driving a bus you are no position to play turnpike tag with a big rig.
In the end Weaver decides he's so mad he stops being frightened and looks to take him down any way he can.
Weaver's performance is a one man tour de force. As much as Spencer Tracy in The Old Man And The Sea. One not to be missed.
Helpful•224
- bkoganbing
- Nov 20, 2014
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $450,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $2,544
- Runtime1 hour 30 minutes
- Color
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