Top Movie Moments: Greatest Swordfights in Film
A list of movies and scenes with the best swordfights in cinema. *Note- These swordfights include those with a focus generally on two or three characters (although incidental antagonists sometimes do get in the way). Therefore, large, epic sword battles with masses of enemies have been ommitted from this list. (Youtube addresses have been included at the end of each description for viewing. Only those with comments written are placed in any paricular order- the rest are, as yet, random.)
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- DirectorMichael Caton-JonesStarsLiam NeesonJessica LangeJohn HurtIn 1713 Scotland, Rob Roy MacGregor is wronged by a nobleman and his nephew, becomes an outlaw in search of revenge while fleeing the Redcoats, and faces charges of being a Jacobite.Rob Roy MacGregor vs. Cunningham:
Perhaps the greatest swordfight in cinema for a number of reasons, it is certainly among the best of the best. The fight scene at the climax of the film, not including the tense build-up and laying out the 'rules of engagement', clocks in at 4 min. 56 sec. of uninterrupted sword fighting. While reasons for it's high standing on this list may not be apparent at first, wait for the end to deliver something amazing. This fight has wonderful pacing, keeping you enthralled with anticipation. There may be no better swordfight in film where you truly feel the danger the protagonist is in from the start. Watch it if you haven't already seen it!
http://youtu.be/BEtPluUi0_U - DirectorGeorge LucasStarsEwan McGregorLiam NeesonNatalie PortmanTwo Jedi escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to claim their original glory.Qui Gon Jin & Obi Wan Kenobi vs. Darth Maul:
They might glow and sizzle with a futuristic take on the weapon, but a lightsabre is still a sword. All six of the Star Wars films involve at least one lightsabre duel, and while five of those films have made their way on this list, Episode I: The Phantom Menace comes in with the strongest sword battle of the series in my opinion. (Sorry Star Wars purists, but Episodes IV: A New Hope's Obi Wan Kenobi vs. Darth Vader duel just didn't live up to the swordfights in the other five films.) The Phantom Menace's climactic swordfight set a new standard for the lightsabre duels in the prequel trilogy. This one has it all cinematically. The coreography is stellar. John Williams produces an epic musical score for this fight, the cinematogrophy, editing, and even the sound effects give a stand-out performance. The only fault I could assign to this in regards to being a swordfight scene is that it is broken up into several pieces as the action of the film cuts away to other action going on simultaneously. The scenes with only the lightsabre fighting taken as a whole add up to approx. 4 min. 33 sec., and can be seen in that continuity at the Youtube address below.
http://youtu.be/5_1RKao2XKA - DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsBrad PittEric BanaOrlando BloomAn adaptation of Homer's great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved.Achilles vs. Hector:
Though the face-off between Achilles and Hector starts as a clash of shields and spears, it quickly develops into a proper swordfight. This movie set the tone in more recent years for what was possible for a choreographed swordfight not involving fencing rapiers or Eastern martial arts. Most non-fencing, Western swordfights in film prior to this one involved clunky sword-bashing relying on quick edits, gushing blood and enemy dismemberment for excitement. Here we see a fully realized duel between two great warriors.
http://youtu.be/80SsC_ZNbyI - DirectorRob ReinerStarsCary ElwesMandy PatinkinRobin WrightA bedridden boy's grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.The Dread Pirate Roberts vs. Inigo:
"You seem a decent fellow- I hate to kill you." - "You seem a decent fellow- I hate to die." As the grandfather reading the book to his grandson says, this one has it all- fencing, fighting, giants, true love; but it's the fencing that land it on this list. In both the film and the original novel, the swordfight between Roberts and Inigo is chalk full of verbal references to (real life) historical fencing masters and their (not so real life) series of positions and tactics. This fight is full of fun, clever swordplay that ranges over wide terrain, bringing to mind the swordfights of the old Robin Hood films. Cary Elwes, who played Roberts, was even cast for his 'Errol Flynn-like quality'.
http://youtu.be/k7zvffHu_wo - DirectorAng LeeStarsChow Yun-FatMichelle YeohZiyi ZhangA young Chinese warrior steals a sword from a famed swordsman and then escapes into a world of romantic adventure with a mysterious man in the frontier of the nation.Master Li Mu Bai vs. Jen Yu:
In a film style that prides itself in numerous fight sequences, both beautifully choreographed and beautifully filmed, it's hard to choose just one greatest swordfight where there are many. It's even harder when you are choosing from what is possibly the best Chinese martial arts film ever made. Of all the swordfights in this film, this one stands out the most. It is a fulcrum moment in the story, and it is so gracefully beautiful and etheral. (Don't worry about the lack of subtitles in the video address below- you won't need them to enjoy the fight!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccmava-4KnY - DirectorPeter HyamsStarsJustin ChambersCatherine DeneuveMena SuvariAlexander Dumas' novel is updated with an eastern influence as D'Artagnan attempts to join the king's elite guards, the Royal Musketeers, and find the man who killed his parents.D'Artagnan vs. Febre
This is quite possibly the most innovative fencing swordfight I've ever seen- perhaps even the the most innovative of any swordfight ever filmed, and thus it deserves very high regards on this list. My only caveat- the only downfalls I would assign it- I wish it lasted a bit longer and, while the musical score is adequate, I believe it had an opportunity to bring out more of the emotional, epic nature of the fight sequence. Nevertheless, I can't help but return to this fight scene time and again as holding its own among the best.
http://youtu.be/XLZfGrt6zIc - DirectorEdward ZwickStarsTom CruiseKen WatanabeBilly ConnollyIn 19th century Japan, Nathan Algren, a US army captain, is hired by the Japanese emperor to train his army in the modern warfare techniques. Captain Algren finds himself trapped in a struggle between two eras and two worlds.Captain Nathan Algren vs. Ujio:
This one might not conform to what would normally be thought of as a 'great swordfight', but it is definitely worthy. In this fight, Captain Algren has absolutely no chance whatsoever of winning. (Not really much of a spoiler in terms of the whole movie.) But this fight is great for other reasons- beautiful cinematography in the rain, great music, and most of all- the emotion and significance of Algren's unwillingness to stay down. In a fiight where killing your opponent is not the goal, perhaps Algren came out the victor in this one after all.
http://youtu.be/OUHHhuLUJy8 - DirectorGeorge SidneyStarsStewart GrangerJanet LeighEleanor ParkerIn France during the late 18th Century, a man sets out to avenge the death of his friend at the hands of a master swordsman.Andre-Louis Moreau vs. The Marquis de Mayne
Despite an astonishing 6 min. 16 sec., its not the length of this fight alone that lands it a spot on this list. Andre-Louis Moreau, who has trained relentlessly for the sole purpose of avenging his friend's death by the hands of The Marquis de Mayne, finally gets an equal opportunity at the climax of this 1952 film. This is a big, sprawling swordfight, with great use of a wide environment and in-scene props, but it never goes to the realm of 'over-the-top', as many modern films do to try to compete. Watch for the on-lookers' reactions as the tension builds...
http://youtu.be/MFhfKcwbw5k - DirectorYimou ZhangStarsJet LiTony Leung Chiu-waiMaggie CheungA defense officer, Nameless, was summoned by the King of Qin regarding his success of terminating three warriors.Nameless vs. Sky:
Another amazing and beautifully filmed Chinese martial arts film with several great swordfights; this film is perhaps even more beautiful in overall presentation than 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. This is a complex swordfight. The entire fight clocks in at 6min 58sec, but initially it begins with multiple challengers. When it thins out to our final two combatants shown in the video clip listed below, the fight lasts approximately a 'heroic' 4 min 47 sec. But as I said, this fight is complex, and therefore requires a bit of explanation for some... The scenes in black & white represent a 'swordfight of the mind' as a symbolic test of will, patience, and timing as our two masters display a classic stand-off while awaiting the right moment to strike. (The dialogue is minimal in this scene, so again- subtitles are unnecessary.)
http://youtu.be/eTsKEgUJyUQ - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKaren AllenPaul FreemanIn 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.Indiana Jones vs. The Flamboyant Swordsman:
Sometimes simplicity is the best possible solution. People will say this one doesn't count as a swordfight, but it belongs on this list. Sure it's a cheat- but that was the point of the scene, and it's just too memorable to dismiss. In this classic Indiana Jones scene, the 'swordfight' lasts a mere 11 sec., as a flamboyant swordsman in Cairo threatens our hero, Indy simply pulls out his pistol and shoots him. An interesting bit of trivia for this scene- the script had Indy engage his enemy in an elaborate fight scene involving his whip. A large number of cast and crew, including Harrison Ford, had gotten ill from food poisoning. After several attempts at filming the shot without succussfully performing his stunts, Harrison suggested that he just "shoot the (sucker)"!
http://youtu.be/3I_Ds2ytz4o - DirectorJohn McTiernanMichael CrichtonStarsAntonio BanderasDiane VenoraDennis StorhøiA man, having fallen in love with the wrong woman, is sent by the sultan himself on a diplomatic mission to a distant land as an ambassador. Stopping at a Viking village port to restock on supplies, he finds himself unwittingly embroiled in a quest to banish a mysterious threat in a distant Viking land.(Viking Warrior) vs. Angus (Redhead):
While coming to the aid of a Norse community under a series of attacks, one of Bulwyf's thirteen warriors picks a fight with one of the young, disdainful lord's particularly large henchmen. What begins as a seemingly mindless viking brawl reveals itself to be a cunning little plot twist of a duel that will have strategic implications outside the fight.
http://youtu.be/Av8F21L5AYs - DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppGeoffrey RushOrlando BloomBlacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.Captain Jack Sparrow vs. Will Turner
What would a pirate movie be without a good swordfight? While the second film in the series (Dead Man's Chest) has the longest and most extravegant 'Pirates' sword fight (indeed, an early script called simply for 'the greatest sword fight ever put to film')- it is this simpler yet effective fight in the first film (Curse of the Black Pearl) which works best. Sometimes over-the-top is just, well... over-the-top. This one, however, shows just enough skill with the blade, timing in coreography, wit and signature Pirates of the Caribbean quirky humor to showcase the two heroes of the film.
http://youtu.be/OFVX-JKdYVo - DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
- DirectorRichard MarquandStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsHayden ChristensenNatalie PortmanEwan McGregorTen years after initially meeting, Anakin Skywalker shares a forbidden romance with Padmé Amidala, while Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers a secret clone army crafted for the Jedi.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsHayden ChristensenNatalie PortmanEwan McGregorThree years into the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi pursues a new threat, while Anakin Skywalker is lured by Chancellor Palpatine into a sinister plot to rule the galaxy.
- DirectorMichael CurtizWilliam KeighleyStarsErrol FlynnOlivia de HavillandBasil RathboneWhen Prince John and the Norman Lords begin oppressing the Saxon masses in King Richard's absence in 1190s England, a Saxon lord fights back as the outlaw leader of a resistance movement.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsUma ThurmanDavid CarradineDaryl HannahAfter awakening from a four-year coma, a former assassin wreaks vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleMichael CaineKen WatanabeAfter witnessing his parents' death, Bruce learns the art of fighting to confront injustice. When he returns to Gotham as Batman, he must stop a secret society that intends to destroy the city.
- DirectorKevin ReynoldsStarsJim CaviezelGuy PearceChristopher AdamsonA young man, falsely imprisoned by his jealous "friend", escapes and uses a hidden treasure to exact his revenge.
- DirectorJerry ZuckerStarsSean ConneryRichard GereJulia OrmondLancelot falls in love with Guinevere, who is due to be married to King Arthur. Meanwhile, a violent warlord tries to seize power from Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
- DirectorKevin ReynoldsStarsJames FrancoSophia MylesRufus SewellAn affair between the second in line to Britain's throne and the princess of the feuding Irish spells doom for the young lovers.
- DirectorJerzy HoffmanStarsDaniel OlbrychskiMalgorzata BraunekTadeusz LomnickiDuring the 1655 war between Protestant Sweden and Catholic Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth some Polish-Lithuanian nobles side with Swedish king Charles X Gustav while others side with the Polish king Jan Kazimierz.http://youtu.be/rBTtq2Gzm6w