‘The Last Duel’ set for release next week

Bective made period blockbuster in cinemas from Friday

Hot on the heels of Daniel Craig's finale as James Bond, another cinema blockbuster is due for release next week when 'The Last Duel', filmed at Bective last year, hits the big screens.

And like 007, Matt Damon's character will also be hoping it is 'No Time to Die' as he takes part in the eponymous shoot-out on Bective Bridge, although probably not with anything as modern as Q's gadgets, as his story is set in medieval France - more daggers at dawn!

Based on the book ‘The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France’ by Eric Jager, the screenplay is written by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Nicole Holofcener. Damon stars in the lead role opposite Adam Driver and Jodie Comer, with Affleck in a supporting role. It is Damon and Affleck's first collaboration since 'Good Will Hunting' in 1997 and is directed by Ridley Scott.

In 1386, Marguerite de Carrouges claims she has been raped by her husband's best friend. Her husband, knight Jean de Carrouges, challenges his friend and squire Jacques Le Gris to trial by combat. It is the last legally sanctioned duel in France's history.

Bective was chosen for its authentic-looking 14th century bridge, while 12th century Bective Abbey will have graphics added to make it look like Notre Dame Cathedral under construction.

Filming took place there a year ago, after Covid-19 restrictions had prevented earlier planned shooting in March, providing Matt Damon with his now famous lockdown holiday in Dublin's Dalkey. The actors had been on location in Cahir, Co Tipperary, with the action the moving to Bective. Some 800 of a crew and extras descended on the area, with marquees set up at Dunganny GAA pitches to accommodate the dressing and make-up of extras.

The cast is Matt Damon as Jean de Carrouges; Adam Driver as Jacques Le Gris; Jodie Comer as Marguerite de Carrouges; Ben Affleck as Count Pierre d'Alençon; Harriet Walter as Nicole de Buchard; Nathaniel Parker as Sir Robert de Thibouville; Sam Hazeldine as Thomin du Bois; Michael McElhatton as Bernard Latour; Alex Lawther as King Charles VI; Marton Csokas as Crespin; Željko Ivanek; Clive Russell; Adam Nagaitis; and well-known Irish actor Bosco Hogan as a priest.

Tagged as 'the true story of a woman who defied a nation and made history', and produced by Disney-backed 20th Century Studios, 'The Last Duel' releases on Friday 15th October.