I Started this topic years ago (October 2003) when I first joined the forums. It was the first topic I ever posted and became quite the place for spirited debate.
Well, I wanted to revive the topic for new and old members alike. So give us your list. please limit to five. And they do not necessarily have to be period pieces (I recall Star wars {shudder} creeping in a few times).
Hope it brings back memories, and creates a new forum for friendly (Thats Friendly) Debate.
1. Michael York VS Christopher Lee (The Three Musketeers, 1979 directed by Richard Lester)
2. Stewart Granger VS Mel Ferrar (Scaramouche)
3. Russel Crowe VS Joaquin Pheonix(Gladiator)
4. Aragorn VS Urtz (LoTR: Fellowship of the Ring)
5. Baelin VS Lusignan (Kingdom of Heaven: Extended Edition)
Honourable mention: Princess Bride, World is not Enough, Troy, 300, Hamlet (Mel Gibson), Count of Monte Christo,
Pirates of the Carribean(CoBP), Pirates of the Carribean(DMC, 3 way sword fight between Sparrow, Norrington, Turner).
#3 is in there right now because I just watched Gladiator again (10th time). #5 was a deleted scene from the original cut, now restored to the extended version. It is Orlando Bloom And I believe, the actor is Martin Csonkas. Very Well choreographed sword work.
Ok so there it is. We're BaAck...lol.
Highlander Movie Swordfights (partly because of the swordfighting and partly because of the cool Queen music and explosions and lightning).
Regards,
CB
4.) The Fellowship of the Ring - Aragorn vs. Lurtz
3.) The Princess Bride - Westley vs. Inigo Montoya
2.) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon - Yu Shu Lien vs. Jen Yu
1.) Rob Roy - Robert Roy MacGregor vs. Archibald Cunningham
1. Ladyhawke--the dueling in the Cathedral between Navarre and Marquette. Who can forget the Fresian trotting down the steps of the Cathedral? Sheer magic!
2. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves--the sword fight between Robin and Nottingham at the very end. Marian with the candlewax was so touching fitting. Also the sword fight between Robin and Marian in her castle when they first met again.
3. Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom in POTC. "You need to get yourself a girl!"
Dunno if it counts as a sword fight but...
Last of the Mohicans - Chingachgook vs. Magua I'll watch that WHOLE movie for that scene!!!
Troy - Achilles vs. Hector I heard Brad Pitt knocked Eric Bana out twice while filming that scene
Rob Roy - Same as above, Robert Roy MacGregor vs. Archibald Cunningham Yes, a rapier may be lighter and faster but my GOD!! With a claymore, all it takes is one!
LotR:TFotR - Boromir vs....well the entire Urak-Hai army!! Although I love it more for Bormirs' redemption than anything else.
I'm sure there are TONS more that escape me now!!
This is a relatively new one, but I just saw it the other day and it was pretty damn good.
Narnia, Prince Caspian: Peter Pevensie vs King Miraz...that scene was intense!
Its been twenty years or so since I've seen it, but the final fight between Robin and the Sheriff in Robin and Mariane. If for no other reasons that its two older characters wailing away with broadswords, and having to constantly stop to catch their breath.
But yeah, the rest of them are deffinitely up there.
not to geek it up but Yoda vs. Dooku in SW: EP2. Light sabers are all that really redeemed episodes 1-3 (ok, light saber fights and natali portman...either way totally replying on eye candy).
For me
1. Oliver Reed vs. anyone in "The Three Musketeers" He fought hard, dirty and to win. Which, I think, is the way to do it unless in a sanctioned duel.
Not the best choreography/sword work, but a kinda fun one was with Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones in The Mask of Zorro ::)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9as3GwRpFk
The fight's between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone (Captain Blood. Robin Hood)
The 1st fight in Kingdom of Heaven where Liam Nesson gets the arrow in him.
The Musketter. Despite the cheesie Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon style it was fun.
Timeline with Gerrard Butler (God is Gerrard hot in this movie)
Robin and Marion with Sean Connery
Cyrano DeBergerac - 1950 Jose Ferrer: "Then as I end the refrain... thrust home, ye gods what a line"
Swordsman Of Sienna Stewart Granger vs ???????? The technique is superb. The fight itself was a little to short and all the while I thought there would be another duel to end the film, there was not, that doth sucketh. However there was a bit of sparring between Granger and Sylva Koscina, in which they each tried to play strip swordfighting. Koscina lost but if the film had been made today she would have been naked.
Any of the three duels in Master of Ballantrea, Flynn looked worse in this than in Adv. of Don Juan
The Adventures of Don Juan.
The climatic duel between Errol Flyn and Robert Douglas in the end was breathtaking for me as well as for Flynn, he was only 11 years from dead at the time of the film but he was already starting to look like death warmed over.
Tony Curtis and Ross Martin, 'The Great Race'. At one time, this was called "The greatest swordfight in cinematic history".
Danny Kaye and Basil Rathbone, 'The Court Jester'.
Actually, just about anything with Basil in it, he was widely acknowledged as the finest swordsman in the stage and screen community, and was usually the one that made Errol Flynn(who was mediocre at best) look good.
I dunno, I do think Basil was a good swordsman, but the choreography really stunk in some cases . . .
I don't disagree what what has been said, but, I will put in the climactic duel in Scaramouche with Mel Ferrer vs. Stewart Granger.
I think it held (or still holds) the record for longest duel on screen. 15 minutes or so. But I haven't seen it in awhile.
I'd also add all of the duels from, the aptly named, the Duellists. Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine. Multiple times.
Quite good.
How about Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis at the end of "The Vikings"? Not a particularly accurate movie but the images of them fighting on the top of a tower and the angles it was shot at are awe-inspiring. I also liked Tyrone Power versus Basil Rathbone in "The Mark of Zorro," especially the ending. And as for raw footage of swordplay, it's hard to beat "The Duelists." But, as has been said many times before, there must be thousands of GREAT swordfights out there.
Blackbead
My top would be the finale to Rob Roy. I've always enjoyed the sword fight scene from Crouching Tiger/Hidden Tiger in Michelle Yoeh's dojo. Despite her skill, none of her weapons could stand up to the Green Destiny.
I don't know that I could agree with "thousands of great swordfights" maybe "hundreds of good swordfights", but only a few of them could be considered, great. I.E. Captain Blood, good, not great, Sea Hawk, good, not great, Adventures of Robin Hood, great although a bit contrived, you do not wield a broadsword like a rapier. The newest Musketeer with all of the kung-fu stunts that a musketeer of the period could NEVER do, good up to a point, but will never be great. Cyrano DeBergerac(1950), - Great, Princess Bride, Great - Mark of Zorro(1940), Great, - Mask of Zorro/Legend of Zorro borderline great, - Scaramouche, Great beyond any expectation The longest continuous duel on film, Star Wars III not withstanding, it was not continuous, they flashed back and forth with other scenes. You know in retrospect I do not think this items listed here will ever be agreed upon by everyone, because each of us has his/her own criteria as to what makes a good swordfight, and with that I think maybe the best we could do is come up with the best 25/50 and list them in alpha order.
One last one that I don't think was made mention by anyone, At Swords Point with Cornell Wilde, IMHO it comes close to borderline.
Quote from: escherblacksmith on May 19, 2008, 03:40:14 PM
I'd also add all of the duels from, the aptly named, the Duellists. Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine. Multiple times.
Oh, I'm glad to see someone beat me to that one. The Duellists is great because the duels are far closer to the realistic end of the spectrum than the theatrical end of the spectrum.
For the same reason, I'm a big fan if the
first fight between Dantes and Mondego in the most recent version of
Count of Monte Cristo. James Caviezel does an excellent job of fencing like someone who barely knows how to fence...his parries are way out there!
And, just for its total insanity factor, the swordfight between King Arthur and the Black Knight ("Just a flesh wound") from Monty Python & the Holy Grail.
And the Debate Rages on...
I agree with soooo many of those mentioned above.
The Errol Flynn sword fights, especially in Capt, Blood and the Sea Hawk are awesome, if a little campy by todays Standards. But that is because it was actual Fencing.
The Duelist was a Great Movie, one of Ridley Scotts very First Films. It was Choreographed, By the way, by the same guy who did Richard Lesters 3 Musketeers, Dangerous Beauty, Rob Roy And the Count of Monte Christo. He has also done hundreds of other films.
His name escapes me at the moment. Any Help?? He may have even done Princess Bride. Or was that Bob Anderson???
Thanks also for mentioning Cornell Wilde, in At Swords Point. Great Film.
That is what I love about this thread because it also brings up films I have not seen.
Keep them Coming!!!
Quote from: DuCoeur on May 20, 2008, 05:21:23 PM
The Duelist was a Great Movie, one of Ridley Scotts very First Films. It was Choreographed, By the way, by the same guy who did Richard Lesters 3 Musketeers, Dangerous Beauty, Rob Roy And the Count of Monte Christo. He has also done hundreds of other films.
His name escapes me at the moment. Any Help?? He may have even done Princess Bride. Or was that Bob Anderson???
Princess Bride was Bob Anderson. Don't know the name you're looking for, and I hadn't even realized all those movies were the same choreographer! Cool beans.
Woody Strode and Kirk Douglas going at it in "Spartacus".
James Mason and Robert Wagner in "Prince Valiant". Best mangled shields and notched blade fight ever!
Michael Dudikoff vs anybody in "American Ninja".
Your mileage will vary :D
So the best sword fights that I have seen are in the foreign movies such as Hero starring Jet Li in China. The movie is all fighting and is the best work of art I have ever seen! I highly recommend it!
The other would be Shinobi. Also all of it is sword fighting. This is on the same level of Hero and I hope that everyone watches these two movies.
They are beautiful pieces of art, the fights as well as the imagery. It is all breath-taking.
American Ninja?
???
quite.
one must also put in the seven samurai as well. and maybe Yojimbo.
I'll add my favorites, one is most likely the shortness sword fight on film.
Seven Samurai the duel were we meet Kyuzo the perfect example of the Japanese ideal of one killing cut.
Gene Kelly in Three Musketeers not very accurate but a lot of fun
Finale duel between Robert Taylor and George Sanders in Ivanhoe
Kill Bill Vol. 2
Uma Thurman Vs. Daryl Hannah
Nothing like a good sword fight in a cramped trailer. :)
Quote from: Dragonlord on May 22, 2008, 09:42:46 AM
Kill Bill Vol. 2
Uma Thurman Vs. Daryl Hannah
Nothing like a good sword fight in a cramped trailer. :)
It's all fun and games til someone losses an eye! ;)
/yes...I spelled it that way on purpose :P
If we are to include eastern and other foreign films, I agree with Seven Samurai, and anything with Toshiro Mifune.
Back to the West...Gerard Depardieu in Cyrano Debergerac is excellent.
And then a rare movie Called En Garde...Awesome.
I really like the melee belowdecks in "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" with Russell Crowe. It's an excellent example of what a shipboard fight actually WOULD be like, with the cramped quarters and brutality of fighting to survive.
I also like the swordfight between Catherine McCormack and Oliver Platt in "Dangerous Beauty".
And just for fun, I enjoy nearly every fight in the Disney version of "The Three Musketeers" (again, especially Oliver Platt's stuff!). Now, they're not masterpieces of period-correct swordplay, but they do what a theatrical swordfight is supposed to do: they're flashy and they make the people playing the parts look like they know what they're doing. They give an excellent sense of the characters actually being in danger, and being dangerous.
Quote from: Morgan Dreadlocke on May 22, 2008, 12:00:44 AM
James Mason and Robert Wagner in "Prince Valiant". Best mangled shields and notched blade fight ever!
Thanks for mentioning this one.
I have been trying for years to get in touch with Robert Wagner via snail-mail, e-mail, finding out if he is doing any personnal appearances near me, to ask him what were those swords made out of. I made a sword for knightings at the renn faires that I perform in and copied the sword that James Mason had, it's close but not exact. I made it out of aluminium and it stills weighs more that I would like to try and wield about. Maybe someday I will have the answer. Both of those blades were awesome, the width of the blades was absolutely incredible.
Quote from: BLAKDUKE
I made it out of aluminium and it stills weighs more that I would like to try and wield about. Maybe someday I will have the answer. Both of those blades were awesome, the width of the blades was absolutely incredible.
I'm thinking Beryllium/magnesium with an extremely hollow grind. The blades didn't seem to have much inertial mass when chopping up the set :-\. I'll bet the blade to blade clanging noises were dubbed in. BTW check out the close ups of the stone in the horsehead ring- Why does a "one of a kind" ring show up later with a similar but different stone? ::)
Back to topic, Interesting fight with rapier and main gauche combo in, "The Sword and the Rose" (old Disney costume flick).
Just got back from the new Indiana Jones movie and there is an interesting rapier fight between 2 characters. Not going to give it away but wait for more peole to see it before spilling the beans!
Quote from: KeeperoftheBar on May 19, 2008, 07:30:17 AM
For me
1. Oliver Reed vs. anyone in "The Three Musketeers" He fought hard, dirty and to win. Which, I think, is the way to do it unless in a sanctioned duel.
More or less agreed, but I loved more his style of using the cape in his fights. The fling of a "cape", either as a weapon or not, is something that I've experimented with in dance. Btw, for the first entry, those Reed/York/Lee/Heston/Chaplin/Chamberlain movies were in the early 70's, not in 1979. I remember watching the first one around the time of the Yom Kipper War.
Second point about Athos: he took a lot of injuries. Maybe that is to be expected in fighting hard to win but remember in one of the final fights, afterwards, after he is getting bandaged, "Why is it always me?"
Browsin' through an old Cinema Classics catalouge and came across the followin synopsis-- "Longest sword duel in cinematic history". The movie was "Scaramouche" '52 Stewart Grainger. Anyone seen it?
My favorite would have to be the scene in Scorpion King where Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson and Micheal Clarke Duncan bust their swords at the same time. Was an oops turned into an awesome scene!
QuoteBrowsin' through an old Cinema Classics catalouge and came across the followin synopsis-- "Longest sword duel in cinematic history". The movie was "Scaramouche" '52 Stewart Grainger. Anyone seen it?
yup, already popped up on the list 2 pages ago, lots of fantastic fencing scenes . . .
one of my faves.
Gerard Depardieu, Cyrano de Bergerac (1990), the "Fight against one hundred" still gets me up and screaming at the screen!
William Hobbs is the Fight Director for the Three/Four Musketeers, Excalibur, and many others. Noted for his street-brawl-style of sword fighting. The Adapted Hobbs Method is used by the AASSCC, the school under which I am certified.
Quote from: escherblacksmith
yup, already popped up on the list 2 pages ago, lots of fantastic fencing scenes . . .
one of my faves.
Flay me fer a blind old fool!
Bill Hobbs...Yes. Thank you VIII. I had been meaning to go back and look.
I much prefer his Gritty, "reality" based style, to the flash and acrobatics of Andersons.
Don't get me wrong, Anderson has produced some of the best choreography on screen (POTC, LoTR, Zorro, Star Wars etc...). I just prefer the intensity of Hobbs.
Quote from: CountessofPhoenix on May 23, 2008, 12:29:04 AM
Just got back from the new Indiana Jones movie and there is an interesting rapier fight between 2 characters. Not going to give it away but wait for more peole to see it before spilling the beans!
I agree! That and the fight already mentioned in Prince Caspian are the best ones currently out in theatres.
Lots of great movies in this list, but I'm suprised no one has mentioned Last Samuri yet. It has a lot of good fights in it. It'll take me thinking awhile to come up with my top 5.
I'll also like to give an "honorable" mention to Ultraviolet for best sword fights off screen. It could have been a good movie for the cool fights if nothing else, instead of the aweful piece of crap it ended up being, if they hadn't panned the camera away for EVERY cool fight in the movie (i.e. huge build up, camera pans away, fighty noises, camera pans back to see dead bad-guys).
Another note: always loved the fencing challenge with the trampolines in "Theatre of Blood".
I personally kinda liked the practically one-sided fight between Leonidas and that giant freak in 300. No matter how good he was, Leonidas was just overpowered. it was only through sheer luck that he managed to win.
Also, I agree with some of the previous takes:
Catherine McCormack vs Oliver Platt in Dangerous Beauty. Just a fun fight all around.
Peter Pevensie vs King Miraz in Narnia: Prince Caspian.
And just because I like to make people shudder...
Anakin vs Obi-Wan and Yoda vs Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode III. Brutal fights, especially the Anakin/Obi-Wan battle.
I tend to prefer the fights that don't rely on as much fast camera action or effects so my favs would probably be
1) Princess Bride - Wesley vs. Inigo
2) Pirates of the Caribbean - Jack vs. Will
3) First Knight - Lancelot vs. Malagant
Other cool ones - Willow, Return of the Jedi, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Lord of the Rings, The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo, Gladiator, 300
Quote from: Lord Dragonspyre on June 17, 2008, 07:23:40 AM
I personally kinda liked the practically one-sided fight between Leonidas and that giant freak in 300. No matter how good he was, Leonidas was just overpowered. it was only through sheer luck that he managed to win.
Also, I agree with some of the previous takes:
Catherine McCormack vs Oliver Platt in Dangerous Beauty. Just a fun fight all around.
Peter Pevensie vs King Miraz in Narnia: Prince Caspian.
And just because I like to make people shudder...
SHUDDERING UNCONTROLABLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anakin vs Obi-Wan and Yoda vs Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode III. Brutal fights, especially the Anakin/Obi-Wan battle.
Toshiro Mifune against the Native Americans in "Red Sun"
Samurai in the Old West!
A mostly forgetable movie except for the pairing of Toshiro Mifune and Charles Bronson with Alain Delon and Ursula Andress.
Gauche: (Aiming a six-shooter) "I suppose you've never seen a man killed with one of these."
Kuroda Jubie: (Shrugs) "Gun... Sword... We all die the same."
Quote from: maelstrom0370 on May 18, 2008, 03:14:10 PM
Dunno if it counts as a sword fight but...
Last of the Mohicans - Chingachgook vs. Magua I'll watch that WHOLE movie for that scene!!!
I am SOOOO with you on that! Except, I fear the use of a tomahawk eliminates it from the category. I was so happy when Magua was tossed over he cliff like a piece of garbage!
My absolute favorite sword fight scene is in Rob Roy. Just watching Liam Neeson in a kilt take down that prancing dandy gets me fired up.
Second, Anakin vs. Obi Wan in Revenge of The Sith. Amazing.
No laughing DuCouer - I'm serious!
Some of you people are WAAAAY off here ... The Princess Bride has gotta be one of the best ... Inconceivable!
... I have to mention some great scenes in all the LOTR movies.
Scotsman:
Not trying to start a major debate here, but Princess Bride does not even make the top ten. It is good, funny and interesting, but better than Scaramouche, Cyrano De Bergerac(1950), Mark of Zorro(1940), Swordsman of Sienna,
Court Jester, At Swords Point, Mask of Zorro, Adv. of Don Juan, Against All Flags, The Sea Hawk, Adv. of Robin Hood, Prince Valiant, By The Sword, and lastly Captain Blood, not likely. Princess Bride based solely on the banter between Inigo and the Dread Pirate Roberts I would give it the edge, but based on swordsmanshipnot even close. Inigo used moves that the masters that he mentioned would have run him thru 1/2 dozen times before he finished. Don't get me wrong it is good and I always watch it (the swordfight only) when it comes on cable. To each his own but you have to watch the ones I mentioned in order to make a good comparison. I have watched this thread since it's inception and I would venture to guess that most of the folks out there who have picked P.B. as the best, either have never seen any of the other films that I mentioned or maybe only one or two, and/or have never fenced. Let the blades clang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I dare mention Monte Python's "The Holy Grail" ... oh that Black Knight could really scrap!
ok i have two
the first and probley the best ever
Westley and Inigo
the second is in Everafter with drew Berrymore
the point where she's carring all these rapiers after her step mother has sold her i think his name was Cartia and he says something about her needing to be broken and she pulls the rapier on him an threatens to slit him from naval to nose.
I almost forgot Kill Bill! That has to be my favorite ...
Well, bear in mind that there are elements to a cinematic swordfight.
Overall... including the banter and the character interplay, Scotsman, I'm with you... I'd put the Princess Bride duel (especially since both actors did every single part of the duel themselves with only two months' training) on top.
But for technical sword skill? Well, if either of them could get as proficient with the sword in two months as some of these other actors who had years of training and practice... it would speak very poorly of those actors (barring some amazing gift on their part, though...).
For technical skill, there are many out there that are far superior. I like watching Ewan MacGregor... in interviews, Liam Neeson said Ewan would learn 4 or five moves in the amount of time it would take Liam to learn one.
He does have a certain ease to his style.
Yes yes and yes... lol. Also, love the one on the glacier w/ the last Batman movie w/ Liam Niesen. Wait... was that a sword fight?
oooo the Training Sequence in the Bat Man movie???? that was very cool.
I loved Kill Bill Vol. 1...but the Fight between her and Davind Carideane (?) in Vol II is amazing.
Yes yes the Princess Bride. Brilliant, witty, funny and very well done. But did you feel any intensity? any sense of danger or impending death?
the Finale in Scaramouche (and many others prior to that), you Feel the animosity between the Two Charaters. In the Count of Monte Christo...you feel that these characters hate each other...that is what fuels the scene for me. the sense of Danger and tension.And yes Scarlet, I must even give a nod to the Anikin VS Obi Wan scene. You feel Obi Wans Sense of Betrayal and anguish.
These are movie Fight scenes so the quality of the actors lends alot to the choreography of the fight sequence.
I have to again reference back to Richard Lesters Three Musketeers. There was intensity, there was humour, there was pathos, passion and brilliant swordplay.
Quote from: DuCoeur on June 20, 2008, 09:22:48 PM
Yes yes the Princess Bride. Brilliant, witty, funny and very well done. But did you feel any intensity? any sense of danger or impending death?
Well, Inigo did say he was a decent fellow... and he hated to kill him.
And Wesley also felt Inigo was a decent fellow... and hated to die...
of course, that didn't stop him from spending a portion of the film mostly dead... but this was not the result of the swordfight, so doesn't count.
Black Shield of Falworth. And The Warlord.
Quote from: Scotsman on June 19, 2008, 09:30:02 AM
Some of you people are WAAAAY off here ... The Princess Bride has gotta be one of the best ... Inconceivable!
... I have to mention some great scenes in all the LOTR movies.
Princess Bride?!?! Scotsman - don't make me take away your blue ribbon and replace it with a pink one! LOL
I'd have to agree, for all around actor (not known for their sword skill), it is an extremely good-pretty sword fight.
Not the most accurate one I have ever seen, but given the flick I wouldn't expect it to be.
Captain Blood has got to be up there. The end of Rob Roy has to be the best sword fight ever if you ask me.
Quote from: escherblacksmith on June 23, 2008, 01:35:49 PM
I'd have to agree, for all around actor (not known for their sword skill), it is an extremely good-pretty sword fight.
Not the most accurate one I have ever seen, but given the flick I wouldn't expect it to be.
Well, something else about that duel that I think has been widely overlooked, and it may just be me, but half of that fight takes place with each combatant using their off-hand!
I'm pretty effective with a rapier in my left hand... but right-handed, I'd not last long against even a mildly skilled opponent.
I guess MY line would be:
"I know something you do not know... I AM really left handed."
ok...so now on the Cheese side of things there is really low budget film called the Kings Guard.
How much of a cheese factor is it? Uh, Eric Roberts and Ron Pearlman...Need I say more!!!
Yet it has something that appeals to me...maybe because I have the same sword that the Captain of the Guard has.
Another Cheese movie would be La Femme Musketeer with Michael York, Gerarde Depardeu and John Rys Davies....Some decent fight choroeography but not accurate at all. Still it is alot of fun to watch
Quote from: DuCoeur on June 29, 2008, 10:06:15 AM
ok...so now on the Cheese side of things there is really low budget film called the Kings Guard.
I've actually tried finding that movie as of late to watch and can not locate at mine libraries nor video locals. ???
Quote from: Lady Mikayla of Phoenicia on June 29, 2008, 12:55:05 PM
Quote from: DuCoeur on June 29, 2008, 10:06:15 AM
ok...so now on the Cheese side of things there is really low budget film called the Kings Guard.
I've actually tried finding that movie as of late to watch and can not locate at mine libraries nor video locals. ???
I found it at Best Buy...they always some really good B movies out there...my original version was a double feature with the Kings guard and The Amazons. shudder. I lost it when I was flooded but found the Kings guard on amazon...
Found this link today...just thought I'd toss it in...
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/expert40/157897 (http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/expert40/157897)
OOOOOOH... now this is a FUN angle on this topic... CHEESIEST swordfights...
hmm, gonna have to think about this, although Luke Skywalker swung his lightsaber like a baseball bat more often than not...
I'll check into my collection and see which ones are just really cheesy!
daffy duck versus . . . well, himself with quarterstaff? (not a swordfight, but it inspired many a mock battle at the ye olde fencing booth)
Ho Ha-Ha Guard-Turn Parry-Dodge Spin Ha Thrust (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehqaRvlo5pg)
to trip and trip and trip . . .
Quote from: Count Adolfo on July 09, 2008, 02:19:38 PM
OOOOOOH... now this is a FUN angle on this topic... CHEESIEST swordfights...
hmm, gonna have to think about this, although Luke Skywalker swung his lightsaber like a baseball bat more often than not...
I'll check into my collection and see which ones are just really cheesy!
the one that I thought was the most ridiculous was the Zorro movie with Frank Langella. The premise is that when Zorro reveals
himself to Ricardo Montalban, that R.M. becomes so astounded that he just stands there and allows F.L. to lunge across the desk and run him thru. Sorry do not buy that.
my goodness, you are right, that one was horrible, especially compared with the 1940's version . . .
Mark of Zorro 1940 (colorized) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRTl8FeB5Mg&feature=related)
Mark of Zorro 1940 (black and white) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VTyPWvyAF8&feature=related)
Tyrone Powers -- Zorro
Basil Rathbone -- Captain Estaban Pasquale
the dreck
Mark of Zorro 1974 (made for TV) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuWBJ8g2sdA)
(goto 3:04 for beginning of battle and Ricardo's derisive laughter)
Frank Langella -- Zorro
Ricardo Montalban -- Captain Estaban Pasquale
Quote from: Dragonlord on May 22, 2008, 09:42:46 AM
Kill Bill Vol. 2
Uma Thurman Vs. Daryl Hannah
Nothing like a good sword fight in a cramped trailer. :)
OOOOO I'm pleased someone listed this! The best part is when Uma snatches that eyeball. I LUVS IT!
Disney's Three Musketeers!
I'm kidding, I'm kidding...... :P
The Musketeer
The whole Crouching-Tiger-Hidden-Dragon angle on the Musketeer story... just ludicrous.
I just saw one last night that I'd totally forgotten about, and it wasn't half bad, but it wasn't in a movie. In Star Trek: TNG, fourth season episode Q-pid, which originally aired in 1991, Q kidnaps the Enterprise bridge crew and sends them to Sherwood Forest. Picard is playing Robin Hood and has to rescue Maid Marian from being beheaded by Sir Guy. Picard winds up on the chopping block as well, but Riker & Co. are there to save the day. The ensuing melee between the crew and Nottingham's knights is pretty funny, but the best part was Picard against Sir Guy with a broadsword. The fight only lasts a couple of minutes, but it was fun to watch.
Quote from: Count Adolfo on July 11, 2008, 10:12:04 AM
The Musketeer
The whole Crouching-Tiger-Hidden-Dragon angle on the Musketeer story... just ludicrous.
But for pure entertainment value...The bar Scene at the beginning is alot of fun. And c'mon you have to love Tim (oh crap I forgot his last name...Same guy as in Rob Roy???) ----------As the Villian
Quote from: DuCoeur on August 03, 2008, 05:07:47 AM
Quote from: Count Adolfo on July 11, 2008, 10:12:04 AM
The Musketeer
The whole Crouching-Tiger-Hidden-Dragon angle on the Musketeer story... just ludicrous.
But for pure entertainment value...The bar Scene at the beginning is alot of fun. And c'mon you have to love Tim (oh crap I forgot his last name...Same guy as in Rob Roy???) ----------As the Villian
Tim Roth. He was rather deliciously evil in The Musketeer.
Rochefort: "You're mad!"
Febre: "That's the second time this evening I've been called that. I'm beginning to resent it."
Richelieu: "So you plot the course of history now, you are indeed mad."
Febre: "Three times. It must be so."
Just a few Notable sword Fights...
Romeo and Juliet (1979) Fight choreography by Wm Hobbs.
Hamlet (With Mel Gibson)
Cutthroat Island, final battle scenes...With a smokin' Geena Davis. I love a Woman who can handle a blade....
For me that would be the Three & Four Musketeers. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072281/)
The one from 1973 or 1974. Most of the actors actually had fencing lessons.
Gotta go with the usuals: Captain Blood; Three and Four Musketeers (1974); Zorro, etc. But, I also like the realism of Rob Roy (1995).
Blade Trinity- When blade fights the ultimate vampire at the end.
Just went back thru this entire thread to make sure but there is one that no one mentioned. "BY THE SWORD" with Eric Roberts anf F.Murray Abrahmsen(sp). Interesting plot set in a modern fencing salle. Pretty decent dual at the end. There is another that is fairly decent as well, it is called "Ring of Steel" It is about underground fights with swords and betting etc. etc. Cannot remember the actors.
I'd like to add The Best Swordfight that Never Was.
Indiana Jones in the marketplace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anEuw8F8cpE
The Count of Monte Cristo 2002 - This movie has it all:
At approximately the 9:20 time mark, a very short sword duel. Most likely the time that a sword duel would last.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8zVglXFO7A&feature=related
Good climax sword brawl at the 3:00 time mark:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHqb_Ijqrdg&feature=related
I was thinking the Count of Monte Cristo 1934 with Robert Donat.
I find it amazing that the 13th Warrior's "Engineering Dispute" didn't make the cut for the "feel" of a down and dirty fight with blades.
[See at 1min 23 sec]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp1mzx5O4ao
Or the simple focus of any sword or blade fight (pardon an Infantryman's thinking)- a quick and energy efficient finishing of your foe in Troy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BttG3WNQS90
Quote from: Warrior Monk on November 27, 2010, 07:53:24 PM
I find it amazing that the 13th Warrior's "Engineering Dispute" didn't make the cut for the "feel" of a down and dirty fight with blades.
[See at 1min 23 sec]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp1mzx5O4ao
I think that comes under the heading "Fight smarter not harder"
A fairly recent movie that takes the cake for realistic and entertaining rapier duelling:
Alatriste (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0395119/)
Based on the Arturo Pérez-Reverte novels, choreographed by Bob Anderson, and starring Viggo Mortensen. How can you go wrong with that? Don't believe it was ever released in the US for some reason, but you can get a subtitled import DVD from Amazon for about $20.
Quote from: Warrior Monk on November 27, 2010, 07:53:24 PM
I find it amazing that the 13th Warrior's "Engineering Dispute" didn't make the cut for the "feel" of a down and dirty fight with blades.
[See at 1min 23 sec]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp1mzx5O4ao
Oh i love that movie so much
All of the sword action in The Princess Bride! The choreographer actually did some research and the actors had really good footwork!
Kingdom Of Heaven. They actually went into some of the intricacies of Western martial arts.
Well this thread has not been posted to for well onto 10 years.
In that time 2 things have happened
1, a new three Musketeers moveie has entered the realm
what, if anything, does anybody think about it good, bad or what
2. Bob Anderson Passed away.
So who is out there to take his place anyone?????
The BLAKDUKE
Quote from: Phillip McGuinness on May 21, 2008, 12:02:53 PM
Quote from: DuCoeur on May 20, 2008, 05:21:23 PM
The Duelist was a Great Movie, one of Ridley Scotts very First Films. It was Choreographed, By the way, by the same guy who did Richard Lesters 3 Musketeers, Dangerous Beauty, Rob Roy And the Count of Monte Christo. He has also done hundreds of other films.
His name escapes me at the moment. Any Help?? He may have even done Princess Bride. Or was that Bob Anderson???
Princess Bride was Bob Anderson. Don't know the name you're looking for, and I hadn't even realized all those movies were the same choreographer! Cool beans.
William Hobbs
So, essentially, we all enjoy the movie fights that Bob Anderson, William Hobbs, Huan-Chiu Ku (and also Nick Gillard, depending on your feelings about Star Wars) were in charge of?
Oh, the down-and-dirty street fighting in the early parts of "Flesh + Blood" by Paul Verhoeven with Rutger Hauer and Brion James (both from "Blade Runner") and Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Burlinson, Jack Thompson.
The later fights... not so much.
The Mark of Zorro (1940) with Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone has been mentioned in this thread a number of times. Just caught this on TCM. I don't know anything about fencing/sword fighting (theatrical or period correct) but I was was astounded by the speed of the final sword fight. It might be interesting to figure out how many times the blades crossed each other versus the time of the fight.
You should have stayed up a little longer(if you could) and you would have seen 2 more movies as good if not better, Adventures of Don Juan, and Cyrano DeBergerac.