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
Great list. I’ve only seen 5 out of the 10 listed, but I’d have had to start a riot if The Princess Bride wasn’t on here.
I’ve always enjoyed the fight (pictured above) between Inigo and Wesley over the one between Inigo and Count Rugen. But that’s just my opinion.
I agree Carpe, Hero should have been on here, but the Raiders Of The Lost Ark sword fight is popular world-wide and very well known and in my view is the best. I am bummed though that are no videos.
When Princess Bride was first released, my kids, 2 girls and a boy, went to see it. For years they told me how great it was, and when it was released on VHS they’d rent it time and time again, but somehow, I always missed watching it (not hard to do if you put your mind to it).
Finally, one afternoon, they were playing it again, and, with nothing better to do, I sat with them and watched it.
What a surprise! It was great! The sword fight was one of the best I’d seen in a modern film up to that time, but the multitude of jokes, satires, and double-entendres made it simply hilarious.
Great choice for a plethora of reasons.
Thanks, Tonny SS (#12). I would have suggested Zatoichi if you hadn’t already. What a great character (Shintaro Katsu. Takeshi Kitano left me cold.)
Must agree with warningdontreadthis, Shame on you for omitting the Black Knight! ‘Tis but a scratch!
Now I would like to get in a swordfight!
The fight from the Princess Bride in the list (but not in the photo), of course, contains these now famous lines uttered by the Inigo Montoya character… no less than FOUR TIMES in that single scene.
“My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
(It’s almost like you twist my arm into saying this!)
I disagree with the monty python being on this list, yes i am a huge fan, but compared to all these other fights, its not such a great fight, the actual fight is under 5 minutes, then it goes to the black night being chopped apart
its a good movie, good scene, just not deserving of a top 10 best swordfights in film
Yeah I’m suprised no Highlander at all
I agree with most of the list—the final duel between Luke and Vader was the most realistic I’ve seen in all the Star Wars movies (I don’t know anything about stage fighting, my steel is sharp).
Errol Flynn & Tyrone Power inspired me as a cub!
Seriously, I agree with AVI. Highlander must be added.
number 3 was SUCH a sick swordfight. i will never forget it.
haven’t seen 2 or 1 though..
Love number 1! The Crouching Tiger fight was awesome.
I’m sorry, but “Highlander” should make the cut long before “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Though whether you would consider the sword fight between Ramirez and Kurgan or MacLeod and Kurgan to be the best one is debatable.
Another good Christopher Lambert swordfight is at the end of “The Hunted.”
I know that it’s a brief swordfight, but should receive an honorable mention is in “Yojimbo” where Yojimbo slaughters the men guarding the woman. He then proceeds to slash up the place to make it look like a major assault took place.
Was expecting Russel Crowe vs. Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator but still an excellent list.
I absolutely cannot believe that no one actually spoke of Final Fantasy VII Advent Children. it easily has the best sword fights i have ever seen . not a single movie comes close. maybe it wasnt released in theaters but it was still released as a movie on DVD’s worldwide. it deserves some credit at least as an honorary list entry.
Am I the first to mention Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children between Cloud and Kadaj/Sephiroth? That swordfight was like the king of all swordfights. Now THAT was epic.
my vote for #1 would be “Robin and Marian” starring Sean Connery -
a pair of aging knights slug it out in a true medeieval fashion with hand-and-a-half blades, and they get TIRED
Good idea for a list but as you can see, so many good suggestions thereafter. Maybe a top 20 list or Another Top Ten Swordfights list is in order.
The Equilibrium fight was really cool. Also, I know we are only talking ‘films’, but there have been more than a few cool swordfights in the Samurai Jack cartoon series.
I, too, fail to comprehend the #1 pick. Its not a swordfight at all. Very witty, but no swordfight.
Princess Bride: My vote is for Westley v Inigo rather than Inigo v the Count (just!).
In “Galaxy Quest” Alan Rickman played a space-saga actor who was forced to say “By Grabthar’s hammer, by the suns of Warvan, you *shall* be avenged!” ad infinitum at sf conventions. Mandy Patinkin probably got sick of his line, or more likely having drunks at parties quote it to him. I am trying to remember off-hand *anything* else Inigo said in the film.
I agree that no 1 really shouldn’t be. Snopes confirms that Harrison Ford was suffering from something on that day, and pursuaded Spielberg to cut the scene short. My first comment on the List Universe was under “Great movie face-offs”, and I mentioned that scene.
Say what you will of the Highlander movies after the first one, but the swordfights with Duncan and the immortal gang in Endgame was just awesome.
Oh yeah, glad to see Seven Samurai is on there, but the graphic that came with it, if I’m not mistaken, actually comes from either Yojimbo or Sanjuro.
So while I’m glad you’ve included the Princess Bride on this list, because it’s my very favorite movie, the picture doesn’t match the description. That’s Inigo fighting Westley, which IMO was a better sword fight than Inigo fighting Count Rugen. Yeah, there was the whole revenge thing with the six-fingered man, but the fight with Westley had more actual sword fighting and more spectacular stunts.
As soon as I saw the title,
I thought of the Princess Bride,
and was so glad to see it on here.
I love that book and movie.
Also, the Indie one,
that part amused me to no end when I was a kid,
I love it.
As soon as i saw this list i just knew that the princess bride had to be on it. It is one of the best movies of all time i think and does have the most fantastic sword fight scene!
I have to ask… on the Princess Bride picture it is Mandy Patinkin fighting Cary Elwes. Is that because a picture of Mandy Patinkin and Christopher Guest wasn’t available? Sorry… it’s just bugging me so I HAD to ask.
great list, yoda vs doku (or however you spell it) was a memorable one for me and i would say number 1 may have been better of as an extra since it was more sword vs gun,
I know its cg but cloud vs sephirtoh in advent children was a goody
Highlander…most definitely. It might be cheese, but it’s classic cheese.
How could you leave off the Richard Lester Three Musketeers? The fights are even better than those in Robin Hood.
I’m glad slipstick mentioned The Hunted. Awesome movie! Though I might go with the entire scene on the train. I have to watch that movie again now!
Also, the final fight from the first Highlander movie, DEFINITELY!
And the Raiders of the Lost Ark scene? Hilarious, but not a swordfight.
Any list is imperfect and will be nitpicked, but major respect to The Bed-Headed Stranger for a great idea for a list and some excellent picks!
I have to agree with Comments 15 & 18 Metalwrath: The Duellists raised the bar in terms of historical accuracy. Another historically accurate fight that beautifully capped an excellent film was that between Sean Connery as Robin Hood and Robert Shaw as the Sheriff of Nottingham – a pure, exhausting, brutal medieval bludgeon-match.
another vote for wesley v. inigo over rugen v. inigo.
also, obi-wan and qui-gonn v. maul at the end of Phantom Menace is more interesting that Luke v. Vader.
I always liked the sword fight in the club in Die Another Day. (bond v. graves) they switch weapons every 3 swings and run around all over the place. hilarious and fun to watch.
I was looking for The Princess Bride scene.
Fantastic!
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoa. You killed my father, prepare to die.
=D
When I saw the title I told myself I’d never come back to the site if the Princess Bride scene wasn’t on this list, so no one worry, it’s ok. I’m a little disappointed there’s no lord of the rings on here, though. Or ninja turtles.
The picture you used is actually from the second Pirates film, but that’s okay because Jack Davenport is in that picture and he’s yummy. ;P
Ahahaha.. oh I love #1. I expected to see Princess Bride on here but that one was a surprise. I love that part of Raiders!
Another pretty funny “swordfight” is from The Three Muskateers (if I remember correctly). I just think it’s funny how the Oliver Platt muskateer makes all that silly hiyayaya noise and then cuts a rope that holds some barrels or something that fall on the bad guy.
So glad the Princess Bride made the list…love that movie!!
I liked the the blade & steven frost sword fight in the first blade movie
Outstanding comments for outstanding sword-play!
I was shocked that no one included this list as a reference:
http://listverse.com/miscellaneous/top-10-badass-swords/
I thank Miss Destiny (for inspiring me to write the list via The Princess Bride) and Jamie Frater for publishing my dorky list
carry on…
http://listverse.com/miscellaneous/top-10-badass-swords/
Thank you, Miss Destiny for inspiring me to write the above list
jfrater:
Do you have a recording of your operatic voice!?
Ok, uuuuuuuuhhhh where are any of the Highlander fights???
examples…
1. Connor Macleod vs. The Kurgan,
2. Duncan Macleod vs. Connor Macleod – EPIC!!!!!
3. Duncan Macleod vs. Jacob Kell
there were options to choose from. Now having the Princess bride swordfight on your list makes it an excellent list but the fight between Inigo and Wesley was better. Beyond that, the list was quite good.
“Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die.” – The Princess Bride is an amazing movie.
I haven’t seen all of the movies on this list so I can’t honestly compare one or more to the others. That said, one movie I thought for certain would be included is “The Yakuza” starring Robert Mitchum. Although I have never fenced, I can appreciate the difference between the highly stylized and choreographed swordplay in “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” and the unnerving intensity of the swordsmen in “The Yakuza”. I remember the final fight scene in Yakuza absolutely gripping me with its realistic grit.
“SHOGUN ASSASSIN”
nuff said!
@astraya:
“You keep using that word. I do no’ think it means what you think it means.”
Also, very sad not to see “Le Bossu” on that list. Watched it with my fencing club, and when the credits rolled, *everyone* reached for their swords…
BigHairyMonster:
Inconceivable!
I’d forgotten that.
How about the 1950 version of Cyrano de Bergerac?
Jose Ferrer was a *****:
I’m not sure why it double posted. I guess because Jose Ferrer was such a *****.
What about the Mummy 2??? Two women with great bodies battling it out????????????????
Good list, but I can think of 3 crucial omissions (all pre-1960).
1. It’s already been mentioned, but the fight between Danny Kaye and Basil Rathbone in THE COURT JESTER is absolutely classic! It’s a situation where a parody is executed with such precision that it comes off as exciting as the real thing. (BTW, I saw a lecture/reading given by Rathbone in the mid-sixties. In it he said: “I studied fencing for years, and I’ll have you know that I could have beaten Mr Errol Flynn any time I wanted to,”)
2. Stewart Granger vs. Mel Ferrar in SCARAMOUCHE. Reportedly the longest sword fight in screen history. Takes place in a theater and has the duelers moving from the lobby to the seats to the stage. Has to be seen to be believed!
3. Kerwin Matthews vs. The Skeleton in 7TH VOYAGE OF SINDBAD. Evil magician Torin Thatcher brings the skeleton to life and bids it to fight with Sindbad. The correography of the fight is incredible, especially when you consider that Matthews was filmed fighting alone and the skeleton was added later.
All of these films are available on DVD and I heartily recommend that you check them out, because beyond the swordfighting sequences, they are all great films!
ps. It’s not a swordfight, but I’m also particularly fond of the the knife fight between David Carradine and James Remar in THE LONG RIDERS.
It’s like so many have already said…the Princess Bride fight to make the list should’ve been Wesley vs. Inigo…while the final fight w/ the six fingered man is fine, and yes, the emotional climax for Inigo since he’s been searching for this man since the beginning of time and that is the essentially the basis for his existence and drive for revenge; the fight in and of itself was only so so…we can obviously see that in his search for revenge of the years (decades?) that he had surpassed the skill of the six fingered man long ago and was merely fulfilling the forgone conclusion of his defeat…
Wesley and Inigo? Come on…THEY WERE BOTH RIGHT HANDED!!! You can’t beat that!!!
A bit disappointed that you were “not entertained” enough for Russell Crowe’s inclusion. Incidently, his instructor, Andy Shaw, teaches my niece and several other young students here in Shreveport.
YOU MENTION THE 7 SAMURI, YET SHOW A PHOTO STILL FROM THE FINAL FIGHT IN YOJIMBO. MAYBE SHOULDA DONE A TOP 30 SWORDS FIGHTS SO AS TO PLEASE EVERYONE:-)
cool list, and cool site (just found it today),
about the Indy # 1, I read (somewhere, can’t remember where, a book of trivia or something), that the reason he (ford) shot the guy it was cuz Ford said ‘well. If I were in a fight, i’d just shoot the guy’
so thats what they did, but NEVER told the sword guy, so he spent months practicing and then didn’t get to do any of it! poor shot man lol
hello my fellow sword fighting fanatics. tron i believe that the one in raiders is very entertaining and realistic if i might add, but i would have to go with anikin vs oby one kanoby in episode 111. this fight was phanominal to all sword fighting lovers in the world and parts of asia. so i belive that that sword fight should be number one.
dude star wars like totaly kicks all other fight’s butts. thats because of light sabers. Light sabers are actualy real, I am one of the priveledged few to own my own personal light saber. Its illegal in my state so i ordered it on the french black market.
What about obi-wan vs. anakin skywalker.?
Haha! I love that Indiana Jones scene.
Hector Vs. Achilles during Troy was an amazing fight, the action had me on the edge of my seat, and it was so full of emotion.
achilles vs. hector for your viewing pleasure
or
the edited version with out the cut aways, makes the fight very fluid and nice.
however after watching it again, not just a sword fight so possibly why it didn’t qualify.
Great List
Raiders scene is hilioruos but should have not made the list let alone #1!!
I agree needs at least one scene from Highlander
Hector Vs. Achilles at least in the top three
and if your going to have a lightsaber fight
Anakin vs Obi-one is the most epic.