Everyone loves a good swordfight and thankfully there have been an enormous number of movies with brilliant fighting scenes in them. This is a selection of ten of the best from some of my favorite movies. You will definitely not be disappointed by the selection given here.
Remember, if you have your own favorites that you think might deserve a place on this list, be sure to tell us so we can do a follow up at a later date. Be sure to tell us your reasons for your picks.
The “Pirates” series may have overstayed its welcome, but the first entry gave us some of the most inspired and thrilling action sequences in recent memory. Like any respectable blood-and-thunder epic, it comes with some mighty fancy swordplay. The high-flying acrobatics of Depp and Bloom strike just the right balance of adventure and comedy. Interestingly, if Depp had played Jack Sparrow as a classic hero instead of a rum-addled fop, it probably wouldn’t be worth mentioning.
Errol Flynn was no stranger to the adventure genre, and he had more than his share of swordfighting. One instance that is often overlooked is his turn as womanizing, international man-of-mystery Don Juan in 1948. In the midst of a palace coup, Flynn’s Don Juan slogs it out with Douglas’ scheming Duke de Lorca. It is every bit as grandiose as Robin Hood, and the atmosphere of dimly-lit corridors and long shadows adds an impressively artistic look to the film.
Hong Kong films had been using the technique dubbed “wire-fu” for years. But this film was the first major release in the West to use it, and the result was spectacular. Combat was no longer restricted by physics – here we see warriors fly through the air, run up vertical walls, and even balance themselves on flimsy tree branches. The confrontation between Jen Yu and Li Mu Bai in the pine forest is imaginative and beautiful, casting white-clad opponents against a palette of jade greens as they battle among the tree-tops.
Although not a swordfight in the strictest sense, the final battle in this Kurosawa masterpiece is certainly one of the best action sequences of all time. We see the quiet discipline of the vastly-outnumbered samurai as they draw their sabers, ready for the coming onslaught of their enemies. The samurai dispatch many of them, even as they arrive on horseback. A swordfight against mounted cavalry. Does it get any cooler than that?
It is not the most frenetic lightsaber duel in the Star Wars saga. It is certainly not the most elaborately-choreographed. But this ultimate confrontation, between father and son, is by far the most dramatic in the series. As Luke unleashes his fury on Vader, nearly killing him, the eerie vocal score swells to convey the magnitude of this apocalyptic moment. Flashes of red and green light illuminate an otherwise pitch-black scene as sabers clash. And it gives us a nice break from the Ewok scenes.
I must say, I am generally not drawn to films that have the words “princess” or “bride” in the title. However, this is a film that just gets better every time I see it. Rarely has there been a more enjoyable mixture of adventure, comedy, romance, and intrigue. Who could forget the climactic duel between Spanish wanderer Inigo and the sleazy, six-fingered Count Rugen? The conclusion of this fight alone is reason enough to watch the film.
Many swordfights of Hollywood’s Golden Age were epic in scale, spanning entire castles and involving armies of extras. But in this early adventure of the masked Mexican aristocrat, the swordplay occurs entirely within the confines of one room. Zorro crosses rapiers with the magnificently slimy Captain Pasquale in a fast and furious (and likely very dangerous) battle of skill. Oh, and it was done without the use of stunt doubles or special effects.
There was so much blood spilled in Tarantino’s living anime that it had to be filmed in black and white for ratings purposes. No worries, in a way it actually adds to the scene. The sheer level of carnage here, morbid yet strangely beautiful, transcends reality and enters the realm of cartoon. Not only does it pay homage to the flamboyant kung-fu movies of the 70′s, it leaves us with imagery that becomes iconic in its own right.
One aspect of an activity as physically demanding as swordfighting that is rarely addressed in film is the exhaustion that must accompany it. Rob Roy and his opponent, the deceptively effete Cunningham, do not effortlessly fly about the room with balletic dexterity. It is a hard, brutal, draining match whose outcome seems inevitable, until old Rob does something completely unexpected. Of all the swordfights ever depicted on screen, one feels that this is the most realistic.
Is it possible that the coolest swordfight in film history never actually takes place? Rumor has it that Ford was suffering from gastroenteritis and wasn’t up to an elaborately-staged duel with an apparently badass swordsman in the streets of Cairo. The result: one of the most memorable sequences of all time. While the black-clad swordsman gives us the requisite display of skill, Indy pulls out his revolver and shoots him on the spot, to the amazement of the crowd. It is a defining moment for this iconic character who, although he probably could win such a match, would much rather take the easy way out and get on with his day.
Contributor: The Bed-headed Stranger
Princess Bride is a good read.
I had seen the movie about a thousand times before I finally read the book and when I finally did read the book I could hear the actors saying the lines. It made reading the book even better for me.
Interesting list..
love the indiana jones fight
couldn’t pirates sword fights be higher?
Toshiro Mifune is a legend, great list!!
so close to 1st
My english teach told me that the princes bride sword fight was considered the best sword fight to grace the bigscreen. But I think that the Indie fight should be a bonus.
surprised to see no ‘Gladiator’ in there. Interesting idea for a list though!
I really agree with the ROTJ scene being on here. Like the list creator said, it may not be the most elaborate, but it’s definetly the most powerful of any Star Wars duel. The light flashes make it look amazing, too.
Crooching Tiger ,Hidden Dragon make look good, but CHRIST it’s boring.
***** list.
gladiator
russel crowe vs that undefeated silver cougar guy.
Great selection. I’m glad you included fair amounts of classic and modern movies in the list.
But I’m confounded with your selection of the Indiana Jones fight scene as #1. I mean, sure, it’s funny, and sure, it’s memorable, but #1? It’s certainly not more memorable than the other swordfights. I would’ve included it in the list on a lower spot (but not as a bonus either).
Hmm… Crouching Tigers Hidden Dragon is not exactly the epitome of Chinese films swordfights, just happen to be the first one widely distributed in the west. Although I completely agreed with number 1.
Oh yeah, needs Zatoichi somewhere in that list.
Great list!!
Though I must say I was expecting to see Yoda VS Count Dooku fight (Star Wars: The Attack of the Clones)… that was a good one, simply because it was the very first time in all the Star Wars era that we got to see Yoda in action! I mean, look at that computer-animated little green guy jump all around!!! I think Obi-Wan and Anakin’s self-steem might’ve dropped at least 10 points… but I understand why it is not listed; we couldn’t have 2 Star Wars fights on the same list (as much as I love it) if there are so many other fights to be listed, right?
Oh and great choice with “The Princess Bride”. I just love that film and watching that fight is really entertaining and exciting. Kudos to that one!
Indiana jones! Totally agree!
How about the excellent movie The Duellists?.. Ridley Scott’s first movie (starring Harvey Keitel) which was praised by historians for its exact depiction of 19th century french swordfighting.
For those who haven’t seen it I highly recommend you do.
No conan the barbarian
As Kreachure notes – a good mix of the onld and new.
It wasn’t quite a sword fight, but the opening ‘fight’ of Troy (WB, 2004) – when Achilles kills Boagrius is simply graceful.
Perhaps this and your #1 should be on a separate list: “Great swordfights that didn’t happen”.
here are some fighting scenes from The Duellists :
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=FPb9RqYPAu0&feature=related
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVHSounmrE
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmejpbzq510&feature=related
and in bonus, this cool scene :
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=07z9bhPLdvQ&feature=related
Yeah, I love that film
Intresting list. I was hoping for Princess Bride to be on here. And you can’t have a list of sword fights without a Zorro. And Uma in Kill Bill was amazing. I too am a little surpised by the number one pick, but it is your list to do as you wish.
I will be the first git to point out the Princess Bride pic is Inigo and Wesley sword fighting not the scene where Inigo is fighting the six fingered man. But Ingigo vs. Wesley was a worthy sword fight too.
huh? what? no highlander here? there can only be one, and all that?
I love this list! Yay for swordfights. In the Princess Bride, I like the fight shown in the picture above rather than the climactic one at the end. Also, just draw out any old random swordfight involving Errol Flynn and nobody would be disappointed. For further Errol Flynn majesty, everybody should check out The Adventures of Robin Hood where his two major swordfights involve Flynn vs a whole room full of Norman knights, and Flynn vs Sir Guy of Gisbourne. Plus the masterful music was all by Erich Korngold, so you can’t go wrong.
Excellent list. Maybe as a bonus, the duel between Obi-Wan and Darth Maul. As the only thing that made The Phantom Menace worth watching.
BTW: for those who haven’t see Troy…
Perhaps Monty Python and the Holy Grail? King Arthur vs. The Black Knight.
‘Tis only a flesh wound!
How about the ‘sword’ fight in Skin Deep?
The only one of these films I haven’t seen is Kill Bill and, though I could add 10 more to the List, these 10 (or 9, anyway) deserve praise.
Nice list, haven’t seen the older films here, but I’ve heard enough to realize why they’re included.
There are def. enough others for a follow-up:
Bruce Campbell in Army of Darkness, very funny
something from Lord of the Rings, although, as not a big fan, I don’t know of one specifically.
I’m not sure that #1 belongs here (not really a fight) but I do think it is a wonderful scene, worthy of being number one on some list or another
The Count of Monty Cristo
Well, the two missing here (at least two) are the fight between Ronald Colman and Douglas Fairbanks in “The Prisoner of Zenda” and the fight between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone in “The Adventures of Robin Hood.”
The former is a matter of subjective opinion. The latter was an unforgivable omission; it’s ranked by most critics as the greatest film swordfight in history. It still thrills today, and it’s marvelously staged, choreographed, and photographed.
Otherwise this is a wonderful list.
Thanks for including Basil Rathbone – one of the very best fencers & sword fighters in movie history !!! Most people know him as Sherlock Holmes in the series of 1930s & 40s films. “The Mark of Zorro” (1940) climactic duel he had with Tyrone Power is one of the best, the one with Erroll Flynn (himself a very good sword fighter) in “Robin Hood” was second best. But please can you replace the Zorro photo on your site? Too confusing – that’s the 1920 silent one with Fairbanks Sr, altho he was a good sword fighter too. But very different films. BTW, the soundtrack to the 1940 Zorro is rousing – forget who did it…
when i read the name, i expected three things
a good star wars
the 3 person pirates of the carribean or the one between will and jack in the beginning of the original
and that one from Princess bride
and after reading the others in here, i am gunna say this is one of the few ina while i completely agree with
#1 is the best, it made me lol the first time I saw it.
Great idea for a list, and it’s almost perfect, but I do agree with popular consent (well… ecxept for Csimmons!) that the Indiana Jones almost certainly deserved a bonus position, not the #1 spot. I was also slightly surprised not to see Hero on this list, there were some beautiful fights, e.g. the one with the raindrops, and the one in the lake.
Other than that, great mix of new and old films, so well done!
FYI, the actor who plays Darth Vader is DAVID PROWSE.
hector vs achilles fight scene in Troy is my fave.
stevenh, THANK YOU for bringing some sense to this list.
no videos?
I enjoyed this list. I do have a few tiny (minascule, really) bones to pick.
First, you picked the fight scene with Count Rugan over the one with Cary Elwes? I would’ve chosen that one (“Ah, but you do not know that I, too, am right handed”). The picture chosen was of that scene.
I agree with Clues. Count of Monti Cristo in place of Indiana Jones, Indiana Jones as a bonus. And King Arthur vs. the Black Knight from …the Holy Grail would be another good bonus.
Someone want to make a “Top Ten Comical Duels”?
Again, wonderful list. I do agree with most choices.
I just can’t believe it!! A list about Swordfights and no mention of The Three Musketeers (1948). Do check out this one!!!(Gene Kelly is amazing…)
Wow. I think I’ve found something even dorkier than writing a top ten list: being excessively critical over a completely inconsequential and totally subjective expression of personal opinion. I feel much better about myself now. Thanks a mil’!
Terrific list – I have seen all of these except the Mark of Zorro, and will now check it out. One omission that I would have squeezed in somehow – Guy Pierce and Jim Caveizel in The Count of Monte Cristo. Not strictly a sword fight, as pistols and fisticuffs do come out – but worth a mention.
To add to the nit picking… the picture for the Princess Bride is not the Spanish guy and the 6 fingered man, but the Spanish guy and Wesley (which, in my opinion is a better fight anyway).
what about Troy??
Achilles Vs Hector
heavybison:
Great Video. Thanks.
Jamie:
the login thing is fubar again
LOL! You wrote a list and thought it WOULDN’T get nit-picked. Amusing. Come on, you know what site you’re writing for…
The ski pole fight in better Off Dead would’ve been a great addition.
You should add some honourable mentions. Like the sword fight at the end of equilibrium with Christian bale…. sweet…
Good mention Lightning, i love that film.
I would have put Princess Bride higher, though I can understand why Indy is number one. It is just a completely unexpected moment that was truly clever. I would have made it a bonus myself, but I get the idea.
haha i love the swordfight scene in kill bill, especially when the guys get their arms cut off and it looks like a fountain
I’ve got to agree with Metalwrath, THE DUELISTS has some terrific sword fights. It’s a great movie despite the absurd casting choice for the leads. Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine are not what comes to mind when I think of 19th Century French soldiers.
For your consideration:
Jason and the Argonauts vs. the harpies was a technological masterpiece.
BTW if you enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean you should check out the movie they stole a lot of their ideas from: THE CRIMSON PIRATE, starring Burt Lancaster. The sword fights aren’t especially memorable, but this was possibly the original action adventure comedy. Lancaster, a former circus trapeze artist, is simply amazing.
If you’re looking for other sword fights for a future list, I highly recommend the fight between Danny Kaye and Basil Rathbone towards the climax of the Court Jester. My google-fu is weak, and I can’t find a clip of the fight anywhere, but if you haven’t seen or heard of it, I’d honestly suggest you just find a copy of the movie and watch the whole thing so that you’ll have an idea of what’s going on.
By that final fight, Kaye’s been hypnotized to believe he’s the greatest swordsman in history…but a snap either turns him back to normal or back into an excellent swordsman. The whole scene is hysterical, and you get to see several sword fight cliches born.
Most people I know have never heard of the movie, so when I introduce them, I have to have the remote handy. It’s written so well that just about every line is important, and once it really gets rolling (they take the time to set everything up properly, and then it really gets funny and doesn’t stop), everyone always misses stuff because they’re laughing too hard to hear.
WHAT?!
I can no longer visit this site Jfrater.
No Monty Python and the Holy Grail… And you call this a top ten list.
warningsontreadthis: I am holiday at the moment so I can’t reply in depth – but I am not a fan of monty python. I didn’t write this list btw
the fight between Tommy lee Jones and his student (i cant spell his name) at the end of Hunted is pretty brutal and realistic.. though it is a knife fight not a sword fight
You’re not a fan of Monty Python and I was beginning to like you D:
No, I’m too addicted to this site, I cant stop now, I’ll let it slide this time.
good to see basil rathbone in the list he was a distant relation to my family like great great uncle or something my aunt traced or family tree and found it out
Author: Eric Gmeinder
Comment:
FYI, the actor who plays Darth Vader is DAVID PROWSE.
Actually, Darth Vader was played by several people, all of whom did different parts of the character.
Highlander!!!!
There can be only ONE!!!!!!!!!
now that was a good fight!
My friend would run me through with his katana if I didn’t propose ‘The Sword of Doom’ for this list. It has a bunch of good swordfights, but probably my favourite is where Tatsuya Nakadai slices his way through numerous samurai, all with a completely calm look on his face. It’s truly badass, you guys should look it up!