The success of “Hamilton,” the musical, created renewed interest in the duel. This gentleman’s code of honour reflected in “man to man” combat for centuries was relied on to settle issues of insult or other differences. What seems to the modern mind, a bizarre practice, provides the narrative for Ridley Scott’s latest film, The Last Duel, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It is an historical drama based on the book by Eric Jager that tells the story of last legal duel allowed in France which took place in 1386.
Filming was done in the bastide town of Monpazier, in the Dordogne Region of France, which served as the setting of the 14th century market square. Monpazier, one of the most beautiful towns in all of France, was founded in 1284 by Edward 1 of England. Its medieval centre is still preserved almost completely intact, reflecting life as it was 600 years ago. The arcades around the edge of the square are still present, as is the market hall (complete with weighing and measuring apparatus!).
Other local sites providing local colour in the film are the castle of Beynac as well as the small town of Sainte Modane. A military camp was recreated in the park around the castle of Fenelon.
Leading The Last Duel’s cast is Matt Damon as French knight Jean de Carrouges, Adam Driver as his squire Jacques Le Gris, Jodie Comer as Damon’s wife Marguerite de Carrouges, and Ben Affleck as Count Pierre d’Alençon. The script will be penned by Damon and Affleck, marking it the first collaboration on a script between the two since their Oscar winning work on Good Will Hunting.
It’s a revenge story of two best friends. Damon and Affleck will play them. The characters were friends, one goes to war and returns to accuse Le Gris of raping his wife Margerite de Carrouges. No one will believe the woman, and the soldier appeals to the king of France to undo a decision handed down by Count Pierre d’Anencon, which favored Le Gris. The decision handed down is that the two men fight a duel to the death. The one left alive would be declared the winner as a sign of God’s will. And if Jean de Carrouges loses, his wife will be burned at the stake for punishment for her false accusation.
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