The Last Duel (2021), the 14th-century-set drama starring Matt Damon, Adam Driver, and Jodie Comer: based on a true story, it’s about a real-life duel that was waged in order to settle a dispute between the husband (Jean de Carrouges – Damon) of a woman (Marguerite – Comer) who was allegedly raped by her husband’s frenemy (Jacques le Gris – Driver). I’ve got a vague sense of medieval dress, but I watched the movie and had thoughts, so I am going to do some research myself and force our resident medieval expert Sarah to weigh in on some things!
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Oh, I had blissfully forgotten about this film. So much terrible in the costuming and armour – even by Ridley Scott’s own admission. Everything from the Renaissance clothing (what?!), the ridiculous Scots, that damn armour at the end.
It’s also pretty factually objectionable. The portrayal of Jean de Carrouges is pretty mean-spirited and completely unsupported by evidence, including the source material. A lot of people online took that to be accurate, when it just isn’t. The portrayal of the trial is downright eye rolling and couldn’t be more misleading.
Ridley Scott and the screenwriters just didn’t care. Ridley himself: “People say, ‘What did you research for the [movie]?’ I said, ‘𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.’ I looked at some pictures and thought, ‘Let this work.’”
That about sums it up.
Ridley Scott has made it clear he doesn’t give a darn about history.
Thank You Kendra!! You suffered for us! I have no desire to watch a woman get brutalized once let alone 3 times! Also, somebody needs some Wimples!
At least her hair is up, and no head necklace!
It was interesting to see some German film-critics of which most loved the movie while experts of the late medieval period laughed about it. I would say, that it’s a typical film for Ridley Scott… The topic of the movie is so interesting but the costumes and even the buildings and other details are often so bad.
Reading the facts of the case I am impressed by Jean de Carrouges’ staunch support and defense of his wife. He clearly did not blame Marguerite at all but not only avenged her honor but continued to live with her and respect her. Whether Le Gris was guilty is something we can never know but Marguerite’s story was reasonable and Le Gris’ alibi questionable.