Top 20 Greatest Sword Fights In Movies
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- These cinematic sword fights are epic! For this list, we’ll be looking at the best live-action duels between combatants using swords in film history. Our countdown includes “Highlander”, “Gladiator”, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”, “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace”, “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”, and more! Tell us your favorite cinematic clash of steel in the comments below.
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Tell us your favorite cinematic clash of steel in the comments below.
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Could you do Top 10 Times Phineas and Ferb Broke The Fourth Wall?
The fight in Tmnt turtles Leo vs Raph scene where Raphael broke Leo,s swords in the rain🐢🐢.
Here's my list of things you forgot to put on the list
1. Mathayus vs memnon from the scorpion king
2. Blade vs frost from blade
3. Alejandro Murrieta vs captain love from the mask of zorro
4. Ash vs evil ash from army of darkness
5. Peter pan vs captain hook (2003)
My favorite was the duel between Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone in "The Mark of Zorro," but there are also the final duels in the Alain Delon film of "Zorro," the final duel in the Douglas Fairbanks Jr and Ronald Coleman version of "The Prizoner of Zenda," or the final duel in "Scaramuche."
The first rurouni kenshin fight has to be number 2.
The Pirates duel in 'Dead Man's Chest between Sparrow, Norrington & Turner, all while traveling downhill on a rolling waterwheel deserved a mention.
I thought this would be number 3 at least 😅
Ghey.
_The Mark Of Zorro_ (1940) with Tyrone Power vs Basil Rathbone is a *glaring* omission. Might be the greatest sword duel ever filmed. Rathbone stated that Power was the best swordsman he'd ever fought onscreen.
absolutely. Rathbone was a great fencer.
Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone were considered the two best fencers in Hollywood. It is my favorite, but there are several other great duels.
Liked and bumped. I cant take this list seriously
Also the fact that Rathbone was a fencing champion. Really speaks to the volume of his and Power's level of skill.
@@nicholasmandigo1390 Cornel Wilde as well. Somehow everyone seems to have forgotten his swashbuckling films...
The Mark of Zorro with Tyrone Power & Basil Rathbone has an amazing dueling scene.
The duel from The Princess Bride easily deserves the top spot. The choreography is top-tier, and the dialogue gives us insight into the characters while being entertaining at the same time.
Both duels should take the top spot.
Not to mention it is used in fencing classes as a teaching film.
Being the Princess bride both a fantasy adventure film and a homage to classic swashbuckling adventures, it shines with its own charm without referencing any of the films from which was inspired
@@christiankrisch7025It has a little bit of everything, yet remains subtle and not over the top. It's perfect.
check out the movie:
By the Sword (Eric Roberts, F. Murray Abraham)
Can confirm that the sword-fighting in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is truly next-level good.
Count Of Monte Cristo and The Princess Bride are two of the greatest film’s ever made.🙏
Add Jaws and you have my top 3 movies ever made
I would like to see a fully book accurate counter of Monte Cristo movie but it would have to be done like the dune movies at least two parts that are at least 3 hours long
Princess Bride yes. Monte Cristo was only good if you’ve never read the book. If you have read the book…it was a truly awful adaptation
I would have put Anakin vs Obi-Wan a lot higher up in the list, as it is arguably the best lightsaber battle in all of Star Wars. Sure, Duel Of The Fates with Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Darth Maul was the first modern lightsaber battle we got and was pretty damn cool, Anakin and Obi-Wan's duel went on for quite some time, through many different areas of the facility and outside of the facility, and not only was it Master vs Apprentice, but what comes after is what shaped the most iconic movie villain of all time, as well as also having a really nice soundtrack and visuals to go along with it.
Its a tough call, but I think the final duel just went on too long. I give Duel of Fates the edge.
Anakin and obi wan shouldve been number 1
SC 38 fxitinpost is the only way to watch Anakin fight Obi Wan. Way better than the original, it is my new cannon. It's on TH-cam. Look it up, you won't be disappointed.
I love that entire fuel except for the horrible spinny spinny in the middle and the dropkick.. They knock it down a tier for me
@@dannyb9209 check out SC 38 on TH-cam, by FXitinpost, if you haven't seen it already, I think it's the best lightsaber duel of the whole Star wars saga.
The fact that the sword fight from Scaramouche didn’t even get an honorable mention makes this list highly dubious. Elwes and Patinkin looked to Scaramouche for inspiration for their sword fight. Before Princess Bride, Scaramouche held the record for the longest sword fight and the actors performed their own fencing.
Then again the author of this post probably thinks of Queen when he hears Scaramouche
You know your stuff good sir.....clearly these people know nothing of great swordplay or vintage cinematography!...Scaramouche shouldve been No#1 easily!!
I loved that sword fight in Shanghai Knights. That’s my favorite scene from the movie.
I my self think that the part were Jackie chan uses the horse shoe and rope is one of the best and coolest thing I have ever seen ☠️
Littlefinger dual wielding like a boss 😂
I loved that scene as well
@@owie4070 Same here
I did not expect to see "The Deluge" on this list, but gotta admit - it deserves a place. The clip you chose was not in original (polish) language
"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die!"
One of the greatest ever scenes..
I think the Mask of Zorro hallway scene where he fights Rafael Montero and the captain at the same time is more impressive. Not only that it goes on to then him fighting countless men. That whole movie is full of some of the best sword fights in film.
It's the actual best.
Ewan McGregor and Ray Park, (Obi-Wan-Kenobi) and (Darth Maul) had mastered the choreography of the fight in the Phantom Menace, so much so that the producers had to slow it down.
That was battle of the heroes no?
Huo vs Master Chin in Jet Li’s Fearless was AMAZING
I'm happy "The Three Musketeers' made the list even in the honourably mentions. I always think of Oliver Reed's brawling Athos when I think of sword fights.
Was thinking the same thing love the musketeers
The same fight against the guards in the 1948 version is really remarkable...
Final sword fight with Rochefort should be added to the list.
For the number 1 spot, I loved the dialogue about fencing techniques, showing each one knew what they were doing.
I believe it was one of the last things filmed since they spent tons of time practicing while doing other scenes
Gotta love seeing Shanghai Knights not only on a list but high up on a list!
thank you... just... thank you 💕💕💕💕❤❤❤❤❤❤💖💖💖💖💖💖
I literally came here just to see the Princess Bride swordfight and you delivered perfectly! If you've read Elwes' autobiography, he goes into excruciatingly bittersweet detail about the work that went into crafting that scene. The respect and the homage paid and the preciousness of that scene will live forever in my heart. And it's funny and ridiculous!!!
I've gotta give it to Aragon vs. Lurtz. He lashed out like no one's ever seen, managing to escape death moments before Lurtz's blade met his neck, and instead did so to Lurtz, his victory, however was short lived, and showed him mourning the loss of a dear comrade😔
best of all.... not one second of it is cheesy.
No obvious holding back, or hesitation, or over choreographed, brilliant.
Also, the part where Aragorn parries the thrown dagger was a complete accident and not special effects which makes it even more badass.
@@stevenstump246 There's a reason why Bob Anderson, who was the crafter of many duels that are on and not on this list, called Viggo Mortenson the best swordsman he'd ever trained.
What about Scaramouch? The final duel. As a former epee champion it was a fantastic fight.
The sword fight between Basil Rathbone's Sir Ravenhurst and Danny Kaye's Hubert Hawkins is one of my favorites. The switch back and forth from comedy to serious is unparalleled.
Forgot to mention the movie... The Court Jester.
haha...yes The Courts Jester, that is a brilliant ,overlooked film, I have it on DVD and watch it every Christmas as one of my seasonal movies..fear and laughter really works!!!
The funniest bit was basil was scared of fighting danny when he did the more crazy bits so switched with the instructor for those scenes. It's why basil's character is never facing the camera during. Still ultra amazing fight scene
@@rebeccaolds3189 Which is especially funny, as Basil was considered the best swordsman in Hollywood at the time.
He was good in Son of Frankenstein
The top pick is one many see coming, but for good reason. It's such a beautiful fight scene involving master swordsmen. Really wonderful choice.
Perfect choice for #1! 🥇🏆💯👍
I love the fight with Sir Guy and Robin Hood! Another honorable mention: James Bond vs Gustav Graves - Die Another Day
The duel in the theatre in “Scaramouch” is better than some of the choices here.
That film has amazing fight scenes. That's been a favorite of mine since childhood.
The Great Race. Multiple styles with multiple weapons by talented swordsmen.
Absolutely right about Kenshin, I can't believe how they've successfully translated the fighting style in anime over to live action
Anime fighting style is called "editing". Not exactly a difficult transition....
@@_XR40_ Yeah because fight choreography for other live action and game to movie things has translated well w/ "editing"...
All the fughts couldve easily taken all 20 spots lol. Every fight during the entire movies eries was insane
I would also throw in adult Peter Pan vs Captain Hook in Hook. Very underrated
Rufio, rufio, rufioooooo!
Technically, Big Ben is a bell inside the tower. The tower itself is known as Elizabeth Tower. Now you know.
And knowing is half the battle
🎶 GI JOOOOOE 🎶
@@jackrodakthemovieguy1726 Damn right!
I know, but do I care? Nope
I knew Big Ben was the bell but I didn't know the tower was known as Elizabeth Tower. Thank you for informing us.
I was thinking the same thing when they said that.
Rutger Hauer & sho koshugi in Blind fury...final sword fight in Brotherhood of the wolf... Rain & Sho Koshugi in Ninja assassin...final fight scene in Blade 2...obi wan & General Greivous in episode 3...Yoda and count Dooku episode 2...the mandalorian vs. Moff Gideon season 2 finale...Mel gibsons finale battle scene in the Patriot...beginning and final fight sequence "The Musketeer"...The Bride vs Bill in Kill Bill vol 2... just to name a few!
I waited until the end to see if your #1 was truly the #1... and it was. Fantastic
@@garyg2252 yeah I don't know how they left that one out!
Like others I also think that this list is missing the amazing fight between Basil Rathbone and Danny Kaye in The Court Jester. The mix of serious and comedy, and the way it moves al about, even using the environment in clever ways is a real standout. I think it never gets enough respect, especially as some of the aspects in it are precursors to the Princess Bride duel listed. Otherwise, this list is excellent with some utterly wonderful sword fights.
Dang, old school. Errol Flynn ?
Yeah, sword fights!!!!!!!!
They’re the best!
One that deserves an honorable mention just because it is probably the funniest sword fight in the history of movies: the Black Knight versus King Arthur in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Nobody would ever call it a great fight, but it is so ridiculously outrageous it deserves a shout out.
This is not a list of great swords fight it's a list of someone's favorite sword fight movies. Some of these are jokes!!
I was so scared you didn’t put princess bride on the list once we got around the top 5, so I’m glad to see it here.
Cannot argue with the number 1 spot. Such a fantastic scene, on so many levels
Indiana Jones and the lost ark Sword vs Gun scene is an iconic sword fight!!!
They gave a nod to some of my favorite films of all times, from star wars to captain blood to princess bride ☠️
That Kylo/Rey throne room fight is HORRIBLY choreographed. People are standing still and waiting their turns… awful.
So glad that the climatic duel from Robin Hood was included. Great music, great choreography. Nice to see another Errol Flynn swashbuckling movie be given an honorable mention. Just wish The Sea Hawk could have been listed or mentioned as well
My favourite number, my favourite pick. I love the adventures of the Robin Hood so much! I mean the dialogue alone during that sword fight is just chef kisses 👌
How is it that the duels from Empire Strikes Back and/or Return of the Jedi didn’t even get a honorable mention??? They’re incredible.
Not sword fights (have not watched the video.)
Should have watched the video 😂
They're not technically impressive. Luke's ROTJ style has been called Form 8: baseball bat. Important and emotional, absolutely, and my favs, but they're not as well choreographed, which is what they're going for.
SC 38 is the best lightsaber duel, look it up on TH-cam you won't be disappointed, 3 years ago by FXitinpost. Best Anakin vs Obi Wan duel.
@@Obi-ThreeKenobi Not all of the duels on this video were “technically” impressive. But the original trilogy duels between Luke and Vader had excellent choreography, lighting, and intense emotion. Not to mention the John Williams score for them were also powerful. They deserve recognition.
Great video Thank you for bringing a very meaningful video to the viewer
The sword fight between Robin Hood and the Seriff of Nottingham in the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was a good one too.
I was worried that the Princess Bride wasn't going to be on the list but gladly it got it's rightful spot
Inconceivable
great list!!! I couldn't argue this.
Was very happy to see The Duelists make the list - as I think it often gets overlooked for more popular movies.
It was inconceivable that any other fight be in the #1 slot - well done.
💛 all your video's mate 👍.
My personal favourite was the duel between Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer in Scaramouche
What I love about the final duel in The Count Of Monte Cristo(2002), is that Count Mondego was free to run at last - no reason nor holdings to keep him. But he is so enamoured by the idea that Edmond Dantes always had the upper hand, he stays to duel him to the death and uttering the lines "Now we live in a world where you have everything and I have nothing". The reversal of their fortunes made Mondego feel like he was at last in equal footing with The Count of Montecristo.
Anyone who actually READS the Book will be disappointed with nearly all the movies about Monte Cristo. It is the greatest story of revenge ever written and that included Mercedes. They always make it where they get back together, but that did not happen in the book.
Perfect number one, and i love that you put duel of the fates above all other Star Wars fights, I saw that movie on the premiere, and that scene as then, still give me goosebumps.
I assumed Princess Bride would be first, but was very gratified to see Robin Hood made the list, as it should.
The Mask of Zorro, the Princess Bride, and the Count of Monte Cristo are my top favorite swashbuckling films along with the Three Muskateers and Rob Rory!
My favourite has to be the final fight from the Twilight Samurai, between Min Tanaka and Hiroyuki Sanada. It's just so claustrophobic and emotional, you can really feel that these are two men who really could have been great friends if only the circumstances were different. Also the fact that both get cut (like, a lot) during the fight and you can actually see their movements grow gradually more desperate and erratic as the blood loss starts to kick in is a masterful touch in the choreography.
I can’t believe Scaramouche (1952 ) isn’t mentioned. Stuart Granger and Mel Ferrar engage in the longest sword fight in cinema history. Over six minutes long, full of exquisite “small sword” combat choreographed by Jean Heremans. Another glaring omission is The Mark of Zorro ( 1940 ). Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone face off in an excellent duel choreographed by Fred Cavens. Cavens son Albert stood in and fenced for Power in the shots where his back is to the camera. It is also Albert who plays Valvert in the tasty duel at the beginning of Cyrano de Bergerac.
I was kind of surprised to not see any of the Sho Kosugi ninja movies listed, even as an honorable mention
Shanghai knights is perfect
excellent list.
I feel like it was a toss up between Obi-wan vs Anakin from Episode 3 and the Duel of Fates from Episode 1. The former has more emotional weight behind it, but the latter has slightly better choreography (in my opinion)
When I first saw this list, the fight between the older seasoned female warrior and the young prodigy in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon immediately sprang to mind. That film has several great fights but you picked the right one for this list.
The sword fights in the musketeer we're amazing.
Glad the fight between connor and the kurgan are on the list
It was clear to me from the start which cinematic sword fight would win this list, because I had read "As You Wish", The Princess Bride's "making of" book. From the start, the plan was to create the greatest movie sword fight ever, and the training the actors went through for this scene was insane!
Connor MacLeod Vs The Kurgan Highlander and Obi-Wan Kenobi Vs Anakin Skywalker Star Wars Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith and Maximus Vs Commodus Gladiator and Zorro Vs Captain Harrison Love The Mask of Zorro and First Duel The Duellists and Hector Vs Achilles Troy and Aragorn Vs Lurtz The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring and Robin Hood Vs Sir Guy The Adventures of Robin Hood and Will Turner Vs Captain Jack Sparrow Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl and Duel Of The Fates Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace and The Bride Vs The Crazy 88 Kill Bill Volume 1 and Ingo Montoya Vs The Dread Pirate Roberts The Princess Bride are my favorite cinematic clash of steel on movies or on the DVDs or on Netflix or on Hulu or on TV or on Apple TV
Twin Warriors with Jet Li should absolutely be in every top 10.
"Only a Sith deals in absolutes" is an absolute. I know, not the first one to point that one out, but it's been getting on my nerves too!
3 musketeers with Gene Kelly had some memorable sword fights. Tyrone Power in Capitan from Castile and The Black Rose are excellent. Basil Rathbone crossed swords with the best of them.
Blade Vs Deacon Frost how can you forget that scene
Love how when it says "Clash of steel" it shows one of the only swordfights I know WITHOUT steel/metal blades.
I'm surprised to see Shanghai Knights on this list cuz Noon and Knights are very underappreciated imo they're classics and that sword fight at the end of Knights really had me hyped and into it from the first time i saw it in theatres way back in 2003
I enjoyed both. And that sword fight scene is fantastic. I wish they had managed to make a third.
I know it doesn't have the skill levels of these choices, but the Argonauts versus skeletons is one of the greatest scenes in movie history
I'd pick Powers Zorro fight over the Banderas, but I won't argue with your choice. Both were excellent. Fell in love with Guy Williams Zorro as a kid.
Rob Roy has to be Top 3. That is one of the slickest, most hyper realistic sword fight ever.
Realistic yes, but only Roth was the memorable duelist. Rob Roy essentially got cut to pieces until Roth made the classic villain mistake of hesitating.
Great, expansive list. “Rob Roy” is number 1 for me.
Absolute art ✊🏻🗡🤺⚔️
Cyrano de Bergerac 1950 The reluctant Cyrano vs the foppish Vicomte de Valvert. This early duel sets up Cyrano as the master swordsman but also as a man who regrets the death he causes.
The "I have the high ground " moment from Star Wars is probably the most ridiculous martial arts movie moment in history as the gravity defying Jedi can apparently , for the first and only time, be defeated by a 6" difference in altitude. I point to Obi Wan hanging ,without a sword, 6' below Darth Maul who has already killed Qui-Gon Jinn, and yet having zero problem with the higher ground that Darth Maul held. Most ridiculous moment in movie duel history.
Love the Rob Ray fight, Robin Hood and most of the fight scenes in Troy. The Crouching Tiger duel is impeccable.
Will and Jack are in a goofy fight.
Two versus One in Star Wars was the best of the Star Wars fights. Love Darth Maul pacing like a caged Tiger while Qui-Gon Jinn meditates. It is the Dark and Light side of the force side by side for all to see. Phantom Menace was horrible and stupid. The Fight coordinator here was brilliant.
Love the Scott Pilgrim shout out.
I can't get behind the Highlander pick.
KYLO RENN. Sorry no. Don't know what they are fighting for. Dont know who is good or evil. Pointless martial arts mastery thrown into a vacuum Or a blender to produce some sort of random exploded CGI mush.
Love the Princess Bride and the sword fight but not the greatest of all time. Certainly a top ten guilty pleasure.
Great list and I especially like the Rashoman undignified scrambling fight being included. Its the duel I imagine having myself if I wasn't already running in terror. this has been very nicely collected and presented. Thanks
Um, how can you not include the musketeer on this list! The final duel between febre and dartangan is some of the most amazing fencing/swordplay and use of environment that I've ever seen on screen.
I agree that movie has great sword fight sequences
check out the movie:
By the Sword
Great list. But one minor thing. Connor MacLeod vs Kurgan should be higher up like #1
There are some great films listed here. Films that I totally expected to see. I was super happy to see the1973 version of the Three Musketeers, with Michael York. The best version to me. But there was an omission that I found disappointing. The 1955 film, The Court Jester staring Danny Kaye. The spar between Danny Kaye’s character and Basil Rathbone’s was just wonderful. Yes it’s funny at parts but Danny Kaye’s skill with a sword will surprise you.
Rathbone was a great fencer, and Danny Kaye had a reputation for being able to do just about anything, but their duel wasn't really that great - Too much repetition of the same moves. If you watch it again, you'll see - But don't if it will spoil your memories of a really good movie...
Don't forget the swordfights with insults in Monkey Island games.
"You fight like a dairy farmer."
"How appropriste. You fight like a cow!"
oh dang you added the "live action". I was about to jump on here and say The Secret of NIMH!
Errol Flynn vs Basil Rathbone should absolutely be #1 in my opinion. The level of swordsmanship in stunning (both Flynn and Rathbone were excellent fencers, especially Rathbone). Also I'd recommend checking out: Andre Moreau (Stewart Granger) vs the Marquis de Mayne (Mel Ferrer) in the final fight in “Scaramouche” (1952) - at the time, it was the longest sword fight in cinema so far. The sword fight between Viggo Mortensen vs Eduardo Noriega in “Alatriste” (2006) Is also worth a watch.
I absolutely love this video. Of course I don’t know if I would add the saber fight from the last Jedi in an honorable mention. But to each their own. Great job
I agree with the post mentioning Scaramouche. I love that movie, and neither of the combatants were dead when it was over. Stewart Granger had two great duels: with Mel Ferrer in Scaramouche, and James Mason in The Prisoner of Zenda.
I love the swordfights in the princess bride it's an iconic film and deserves the number one spot, with that said why didn't the swordfight between blade and deacon frost from the first blade movie make the list?
That sword fight was epic and I think it deserved to be on the list or that it should have at least gotten an honorable mention but that's just my opinion great video.
👍😊👍
Great vid. - I hate to be one of those guys, but - Scaramouche (1952).
One of my favorite is Jackie Chan's sword fight at the end of Project A (1983). Such a great fight.
Then you not watching "Young Master" yet
I really expected StarWars to be in on this list but for Pirates of the Caribbean, I'm glad that it was on this list.
I would've left a spot open for an animated category. Namely the final duel from Sword of the Stranger.
Nothing more badass than seeing warriors fight with the oldest weapon in history
The fact you had no Pirates of the Caribbean fights is a crime
Like the list but the final duel in Blade should be in there somewhere
Equilibrium with Christian Bale-- Altraviolet with Milla Jovovich- - and Blade movies
The Princess Bride's swordfight is a great mix of sharp wit and sharp swords.
💯
Whoever over-layed light sabers over the Princess Bride sword fight was a genius, and combined...whoa!
Talk about some of the most bad ass sword fights
Adventures of Robin Hood has been one of my favorites since I was a kid. So glad to see it on this list amongst so many other wonderful movies!
great video
Ohh, that kind of sword fight 😬
Perfect!