After watching this movie many a time, I can see now that Mann had made some major mistakes in tackling the situation with the anonymous psycho truck driver. I know that you have to think of a solution on the move in that situation, but still, I believe I could have done better, although I know that wouldn't make much for nearly as entertaining movie...
shareI wish I had a gun on me, then I could have shot the gasoline tank on the truck.
shareThat wouldn't do much, except spill the contents of the tank, which, in turn, would make the truck lighter and swifter and faster on the road. I used to think that a fired bullet at a gas tank would inevitably cause an explosion, but that myth, well turned out to be a myth...
shareInteresting.
shareSuch an American solution. Gun solves problem. What about other people on the road. What about getting busted for endangering people? No more fun to shoot a gun.
shareI'm imagining you as an indistinct european man, wearing a beret, and smoking a cigarette while saying that.
shareDude, shootin' stuff is fun, especially if it blows up real good!
shareMaybe ditch the car and hitch a ride to a bus terminal or train station and go home. However, the trucker would somehow get his address from his license plate and show up at his house. That would have sent me over the edge. LOL. I can't think of anything else I would have done. Great movie.
shareI'd repair the goddamn radiator hose!
He's going in to your room, it's you he wants...offer him yourself!!
How about turn around and go another way?
Get out and walk off road.
________________________________________________
Did your parents have any children that lived?
I would have been out of that car immediately, and risk walking across wild terrain if necessary.
shareI think he thought about stopping or turning around, but after awhile he got into the 'game' or the 'duel' and wanted to triumph over the trucker at any cost. And yes, it is hard to think on the move and realize mistakes that were made along the way. I think Mann thought he outsmarted the trucker that one time by waiting and then oh crap he was waiting for him the whole time.
I wonder why no one has made a remake of this. I recommend reading the short story this was based on. Entertaining.
He could have got into the truck at Chuck's Cafe and either driven it off, or removed wiring to disable it
[deleted]
I would have just stood up in the diner/café and just said something along the lines "Look, who's truck is that out the front" - If nobody answers I would just call the cops or kick up enough fuss so the cops are called. Mann knew at that point his life was in danger but he still decided to carry on the 'Duel'.
Great movie though.
That's what I was thinking. He just sits there trying to figure it out, and guesses the wrong guy. It's better to just ask. And being nice about it, starting with an apology, like he imagined himself doing, is showing weakness, and wouldn't help the situation. The truck driver looks like he doesn't have the guts to face him man-to-man anyway.
Also, start messing with the truck, and see who comes out to stop him.
Surprise the truck driver on the passenger side of the door, get in and punch him.
shareI always think that no business meeting is ever that important. I would have turned round a lot sooner and headed back to civilization. Mann was intelligent, he should have gotten right away. Why be stuck out in the lonely desert with a psycho intent on killing you?
share