I recently had the pleasure of rewatching The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) I have always enjoyed the sword fight between Percy and Chauvelin.
There have been some really enjoyable sword fights in movies, what's your favouorite?
My favourite is Wesley and Inigo in the Princess Bride (1987). The banter and music just make me so happy.
I would have selected The Princess Bride.
As it’s taken, I have 3 other nominees.
The flying-over rooftops clash between Michelle Yeoh and Ziyi Zhang in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Ziyi is trained in ballet and it shows. Michelle Yeoh is the First Lady of Martial Art, and it shows.
The fight between Sandahl Bergman (as Valaria, Queen of Thieves) and Thulsa Doom’s armored hoodlums in Conan the Barbarian. Sandal was a Lead Dancer on Broadway (boy! was she ever!) and it shows.
On the recent episode—I think 1.3 or 1.4—where knights and nobles were presenting themselves as suitors for the Princess—a tiny lad who looked about 12 years old was taunted and insulted by a knight easily twice his size. The lad pulled his sword, then the focus of the scene shifted to the foreground; then, in the background, we see the boy slay the oaf with a thrust to his heart! SO satisfying.
I’ve no specific scenes that I recall, but Rutger Hauer was amazing in Blind Fury. I’ve not seen any of his films, but I imagine that Errol Flynn had some damned good swordplay in his movies.
I imagine you know that cowboy movies were derived from Kurosawa’s Samurai movies, and that gunfighter’s quick draw was stolen from the Samurai art of Iaijutsu.
The Mask Of Zorro - fight in the stables between Zorro and Elena is quite entertaining 😀.
shareThe one at the beginning of Seven Samurai where the old farmer samurai takes on the loudmouth.
shareWesley v Inigo comfortably rests at the top for me as well.
Lots of great nominees ITT that I might have put up as a 2nd choice. I'll just drop this one that I think deserve a look.
Donnie Yen vs John Salvitti in Tiger Cage 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkHBoeDFZdc
My disappointment that the pony tail was still in tact was felt.
shareSo true! It really makes one yearn for that. I love the raw power of the fight. The choreography had to be flawless with those powerful swings.
BONUS ENTRY!
If you haven't seen this fan production of a better Vader vs Ben saber fight from New Hope then you should have a looksee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to2SMng4u1k
It could be Kit from Knight rider.
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