"Le duel" is Pierre Fresnay's only attempt at directing a movie.And considering the results,he was probably wise not to make another one.

"Le duel" is entertaining ,if it is not taken literally: it's an incredible melodrama ,probably the only one which features a confession,complete with act of contrition.

Pierre Fresnay liked parts of priests:he was admirable in "Monsieur Vincent"(by Maurice Cloche) which was a biography of Saint Vincent de Paul.As for the others...

"Le défroqué "(by Leo Joannon) was an extravaganza where a defrocked priest( Fresnay )made a young seminarian drink the consecrated wine before throwing up in the toilets! 

"Le duel" is another extravaganza where Fresnay plays a priest who is still a man ,in spite of all he says to everyone around.He becomes the "spiritual adviser" of a deserted wife (Yvonne Printemps,Fresnay's wife in real life)whose husband ,an aviator , is a celebrity.Enter the priest's brother, a "heathen" surgeon who confesses his love to the woman (on the Eiffel tower!).But the holy man is not prepared to accept it even when the husband dies in a plane crash:he urges her to leave this world for higher "spiritual" concerns,that is to say to become a nun! Pierre Fresnay even casts Raimu (with whom he played opposite in Pagnol's famous trilogy "César/Fanny/Marius") as another priest half missionary half guru (without his Provençal accent).

NB :Amazing! Screenplay by HG Clouzot who would brilliantly direct Fresnay later!

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

A priest does not want his brother to marry the woman he secretly loves.

Compagnie Industrielle et Commerciale Cinématographique (CICC)

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Le duel

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