wait... you normally do fight analysis and not write fantasy novels!? i have been deceived!! all jokes aside, its great to see you back in your element!
When I was young Basil Rathbone came to my town. I went because I had seen some of his movies. He did poetry reading & dramatic scenes. Then he talked about his fencing movies. He said that Errol Flynn was a great natural athlete but he was lazy. Basil said that he kept up with his fencing training whereas Flynn did not. As a result Rathbone said he could have killed Flynn anytime he had wanted to…. He did speak, with admiration, about Tyrone Power. He had considerable experience as a fencer and kept up with his training. I think the complexity of the Mask of Zorro scenes speak to Powers abilities. Not sure if you know this story or not. Power was making the film Solomon & Sheba. Tyrone had just done a vigorous fencing scene. Shortly afterwards he died of a heart attack. All lead actors are insured by the film studio. The movie company recast using Yul Brynner to replace Power.
Flynn was a "natural athlete" but by 1938, I assume lifestyle was catching up with him. Flynn had a heart attack filming Gentleman Jim (1942), which was filmed just after the US Army refused to allow him to join due to his health.
I love this fight for how much the fencers keep their hands in FRONT of them. They are in control and doing very little flailing large movements... You know, like someone who doesn't want to fet stabbed
I never knew what the plot of Mark of Zoro was until now, and it makes so much sense why DC chose that movie to be the one Bruce Wayne watched the night his parents died. Bro was a 1:1 match with the character of Zoro, but with less swords and more violence.
Not a coincidence, Kane and Finger were heavily influenced by the Zorro novels when they created Batman. Zorro is the classic archetype of the masked vigilante with a double identity as member of wealthy high society. There are a few more masked heros in 19th century literature, but they usually fall into the full on rebell archetype and are more inconspicuous in their "law-abiding civilian" persona, if they maintain that persona at all once they start going on their masked vigilante adventures.
The original novel of the Scarlet Pimpernel predates Zorro, actually. They're not written when they were set :D TSP, Zorro, and Dr. Syn are all great looks into the early days of 'secret identity heroes' that would someday lead to the comic book legends of today@@aliceroorback3717
@@aliceroorback3717The Pimpernel still deserves to be in the conversation, predating Zorro, 1905 vs 1919. And of course, the Pimpernel pioneered the "wealthy man puts on fake wimpy personality" trope. The only modern "superhero" bit he's missing is the identifiable masked costume, being a master of disguise instead.
@@lightning3822 Also Pimpernel was written by a woman and then the concept was stolen by a man. Not saying that this happens a lot throughout history.... but.... :D Though, tbf, the idea of a rich kid robbing the rich to help the poor goes back a ways. Pimpernel was also specifically rescuing aristocrats from Madame Guillotine, while Zorro was fighting back against corrupt aristocracy, so there are sufficient differences that it can be seen more as a trope being followed than a direct steal. The fact that the Baroness's sympathies would be more towards the doomed French nobles is understandable. However, a white guy romanticizing Spanish California and erasing the real backstory of his original inspiration is somewhat problematic. Saloman Pico, his inspiration, was killing whites who were stealing the lands of the Spanish settlers. But, instead of showing his own race as the aggressors, McCulley made the other Spaniards the bad guys and erased the Anglo settlers violence and thievery out of the story. That he blended Pimpernel-like qualities with the historical bandit and murderer was his own invention, there is no evidence that Saloman Pico hid his identity, rather it's more likely he was protected by the Spanish and natives of California since he was fighting on their behalf. None of which stops me from loving the Zorro movies, TV series, etc etc. XD
It makes me unreasonably happy and smiley-faced that a woman of your generation shows so much appreciation for one of the films and swordfights that fueled my long-ago childhood imagination and playground activities. Thank you!
I just stopped by our neighborhood's small bookstore in California to get some other books, and was so excited to see that they had copies of Just Stab Me Now on display right as you walked into the shop! Picked up a copy and can't wait to start reading it, and loved to see small businesses highlighting new authors!!!
First it was The Court Jester, now The Mark of Zorro. Basically, you're coverage of stage combat works as a film recommendation feed for me. EDIT: Also, the Adventures of Robin Hood, you're only making my point for me!
To quote Danny Kaye from "The Court Jester": My enemies say "Gadzooks! It's spooks!" Shivering in their socks They know that they'll never, I'm far too clever They'll never outfox *the* *Fox* ! (and The Fox in Spanish is El - - ) 🦊😄
I will add my voice to this comment because I love that movie! I'm not at all allergic to old films, in color or in B&W. Would you be willing to do some analysis on the Disney Zorro TV series? (FINALLY Available on Disney Plus!) Guy Williams looks good doing the part and appears to be having so much FUN during his sword fights that to me, he is, was, and always will be the person I think of when I picture Zorro. Likewise, his villain for the first half of Season 1was Britt Lomond, who won many tournaments before and after World War II, and was a proper fencing champion. The legendary Fred Cavens was the fight trainer and choreographer for the sword fights, and according to Williams's son, Cavens had high praise for Williams as a fight actor and enjoyed working with him. Idk if you have the time or inclination to give those early episodes a look (Zorro does not seem, to my untrained eyes, ever have a better dueling in the series than Capitan Monastario, so I doubt you would find anything worthy of analysis after his death in Season 1, but what do I know?)
I think the difference between Power's Diego and Banderas' Alejandro is that Diego isn't pretending to be a foppish gentleman, he *is* a foppish gentleman in an era where the son of a lord was expected to be a well-dressed, charming flirt who was also capable of defending his honour with a blade if needed. Donna Inez probably isn't the first married woman he's turned on the charm with. The only thing about him that's really an act is his disinterest in California and his father's career. His duel with Rathbone is utterly magnificent. As you point out, it's one of the few movie fights where both participants are clearly skilled swordsmen and the camera just hangs back to watch them work. It's also one of the few movie duels I can remember where the hero wins because he's clearly just that little bit better. The whole thing's a lost art.
Diego's foppish behavior is DEFINITELY an affectation. An act. He says as much when speaking to Lolita in her bedroom. Also, his interactions with Lolita and Inez are different as night and day. Were foppish behavior expected of the landed gentry, he would have acted the same with both women. Also, Diego's parents and friends are all shocked by his behavior.
"...the plot goeth thusly..." * happy sigh * Missed that! Have always loved this movie and now I love it even more because of your authoritative and immensely impressive swordswoman insights. AND...I will have you know that I will be rereading my signed copy of your book on the plane(s) both to and from Montreal next week. Perhaps drum up some interest and some more book selling business for you! = )
@@ekij133 Well, "the plot goeth thusly" (always wanted to say that! = ). While birthday wishes CAN work...I actually got it a month or so before that. As a fellow writer, I happily became of of Jill's volunteer proof readers! The much overcompensating reward was a signed copy with a pithy comment!!!!
Ah, (Captain) Lover, give my regards to Dorval Airport; I used to go through there all the time. And stop bragging about a signed copy with pithy comment… 😂 What do you write?
@ErnestLordGoring Illegibly...most of the time=) Finishing a book about wrongful convictions among natives in Canada. Giving a talk at McGill about it.
This is one of my personal favorite movies and I love Diego's character. I think the way you can see his knowledge of swordplay in this fight is really well done. He knows his stuff but to an extent you see how he hasn't been challenged truly in a while in the scratch. He's not cocky enough to let his guard down like others who have gotten that good, but it's more he sees that scratch and goes "oh. It's time to push into my stretch zone." Like when you're stretching and you go from comfortable to the limits of comfort. It's just... such a subtle thing but when you realize that, it really comes together. Plus, if I'm real, little teen me was crushing hard on Diego and Lolita. I may not have realized it, but I now look and go "oh you bi baby... you seeing what he sees in Lolita is not aesthetics..." That said, I do like how the 2000s movies had our leading lady be a swordswoman too. It just added another layer to her. But you can see the base of that idea (Lolita is a bit of a feisty one and she doesn't like how her uncle runs things) in this film.
@@kenbrown2808I know you're making a joke, but that's actually a key point in the plot - no one would leave his sword in the rafters if he planned on USING it again. It signals the career change and social change from violent struggle to peace 🙂
I really enjoy your fight analyses. If Errol Flynn is on the table, I'd be interested in an analysis of "Don Juan", "Master of Ballantrae", or "Against All Flags" after "The Adventures of Robin Hood". Anything by Stewart Granger would also be great, such as 'Moonfleet", "Swordsman of Siena", "The Prisoner of Zenda" or the incomparable "Scaramouche". There is a fine duel between Anthony Andrews and Sir Ian McKellan in "The Scarlet Pimpernel". Finally, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on more comedic swordfights like Malcolm McDowell vs. Alan Bates in "Royal Flash", Tony Curtis vs. Ross Martin in "The Great Race" or any of the Richard Lester-directed Musketeer films.
This is one of my favorite favorites EVER. In my stage combat classes, we came back to this one a lot because it was just that good. In fact, my teacher and his assistant had worked on recreating this fight themselves back when I started, and we were always told to go back to this fight as the high point of Golden Age Swash. I had the chance to chat very, very briefly with the actor Britt Lomond, who played Capt. Monastario on Disney's Zorro TV series, which employed Maestro Fred Cavens (the man who did this fight) as its fencing master, and Mr. Lomond confirmed for me that there was something of a tradition on set dating back to the original Zorro from 1920: Douglas Fairbanks, who'd employed Maestro Cavens on his 1926 film "The Black Pirate," was so grateful and so impressed by Maestro Cavens that he gave him the sword that he'd used in the original Mark of Zorro. Cavens would then use that sword in subsequent Zorro productions and Mr. Lomond thought that Rathbone might have been using it when fighting Tyrone Power. If you haven't seen the silent Mark of Zorro, it's notable not so much for the sword work (choreographed by Maestro Cavens' predecessor at the Los Angeles Fencing Club, J. Henry Uttenhove) but for Doug's portrayal of Diego Vega vs. Zorro. It's about the most subtle work of Doug's career, and the high point of the chase through the village is not to be missed. The double on this set, for what it's worth, was Maestro Cavens' son Albert, who also played the ship captain bringing Guy Williams to California in the Disney Zorro's first episode. According to my stage combat instructor, Albert also choreographed the quarterstaff fight between Alan Hale and Errol Flynn in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" - at least, if I remember that rightly.
@@thomasprislacjr.4063 I hear you. I'm in my 50's now and, after a long time of martial arts training and sword work, I can definitely feel it. I've been on some SAG-eligible stuff but I'm not union yet (plus I'm too old to go for a stuntman, so the best I can do in that line is just be an actor who can fight).
It is a good scene, but it can't hold a candle to the duel from "The Deluge" (1974). It's a Polish movie, quite unknown in the USA, but it is on youtube (just search deluge duel scene).
@@neverstopschweiking I've seen the duel from "The Deluge" and that's a very, very good fight. The actor playing the villain (Kmicic?) has an incredibly hard job trying to do some very long, extended attacks (lunges) on terrain that's supposed to be saturated with rain. That's a much more realistic and gritty fight than the Zorro fight Jill's analyzed in her video, but Zorro isn't really a character that lends himself to grim, gritty realism. There's an element of fun with Zorro that wouldn't do in The Deluge. The actor playing Col. Wolodyjowski did a beautiful job with one of my favorite character types - the solid professional with an iron sense of integrity. That duel scene is amazing for a reason.
Besides "The Adventures of Robin Hood", future investigations should include "Scaramouche" and "The Great Race" (which has THREE wonderful fight scenes -- barroom brawl, swordfight and, of course, THE pie fight -- perhaps requiring a trio of episodes). And yes, I know the swordfight in "The Great Race" is fairly simplistic (and riffing off the Coleman/Fairbanks "Prisoner of Zenda"), but it's the speed at which Tony Curtis and Ross Martin are performing. As well, the change up from one weapon to another and the SOUND change between foil v. foil and saber v. saber is a terrific touch, which also helps build the tension of the scene. And there is also a flirty swordfight at the start of the movie, which isn't a bad thing to start with, right?
I would add the 1952 Prisoner of Zenda. It usually gets dismissed as a shot-for-shot remake of the 1937 version, which it mostly is, but the climactic duel is completely different and James Mason's take on the villain is much subtler than Fairbanks Jr's.
As a kid, I watched "The Court Jester" before I saw "The Mark of Zorro", so I saw the candle gag out of order (gasp!), but I was at least old enough to know that this movie was made first, so I could appreciate that the "Court Jester" one was a call-back to this. I love this fight, even though I know absolutely nothing about sword fights. And this movie made me fall in love with Tyrone Power, period. And Basil Rathbone, although he's always a villain (aside from Holmes, and I've only watched one of those movies), has definitely grown on me as I've come to appreciate how darn good he was at ... well, THIS.
Go back and watch all the Rathbone Holmes movies. Stop everything and do it right now. XD You will fall so deeply in love with Basil that you will never get over it. Or... maybe that's just me. LOL the fact that the mouse in Great Mouse Detective was named "Basil" ought to tell you just how much he was Holmes in everyone's minds for decades.
Margret Mitchill always said she thought Rathbone should have played Rhett Butler. It is interesting how authors see their characters as opposed to how the public does.@@eshbena
Yes, of course more fight analysis videos from the golden days are welcome! So this comment is purely for the benefit of Uncle Algo! Although, on second thought, here’s one for you: You are positively glowing with joy so while I am glad that you wrote a book and I loved reading it… nice to see you back where you feel home!
Thank you Jill!!! I have been hoping for more fight analysis videos and this was the video I was most hoping for! Yes to Robin Hood - or maybe a comparison video of the Flynn/Rathbone fight in Robin Hood to their fight in Captain Blood? One other suggestion for down the road; how about an analysis of the swordfight between Vincent Price and Ian Hendry in Theater of Blood (1973).
I love Basil Rathbone. While I mostly know him as Sherlock Holmes, he's also great in some horror roles, most notably as Wolf Frankenstein in the underrated 'Son of Frankenstein'. I grew up with a black and white TV set for years, and loathed it for a time, but today I find that I really dig the atmosphere that B&W can add to some films, and have grown to appreciate it.
Three things: 1. Excellent analysis as always. Love listening to you break these fights down. 2. I had no idea this scene was under cranked. If so, it’s done much more subtly than I’ve seen in other films and speaks volumes about the skill of the camera operators for this picture. 3. My grandmother was a huge fan of Tyron Power and named one of my uncles after him.
The Mark of Zorro is way up on my list of favorite movies. The two fights I enjoy the most between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone are from Captain Blood, the fight on the shoreline rocks and the finale in The Adventures of Robin Hood where they are using Arming Swords instead of foils for a nice more accurate change.
@@JillBearup Those were the only two that I know of. But there's a beautiful little fight in The Adventures of Robin Hood between Friar Tuck (Eugene Pallette) and Flynn that's worth your time because it's just so much fun. The same Eugene Pallette is also the left-handed priest trying to take out Rathbone in this Zorro, and he was Aramis in Douglas Fairbanks' The Three Musketeers.
@@adedow1333 I just watched that fight again - I LOVE watching Eugene Pallette light up when he gets the run down of benefits that are to come when he joins Ye Merrie Men. I LOVE that scene!
I loved this film as a kid, although I'm not sure why, because there's a lot of talking. But I was purely there for the sword fights. I found a copy in a charity shop a few years ago and I was delighted to find that it absolutely holds up and I appreciate it even more now that I'm an adult. I love that you've made a whole video about this and I'm really pleased the film is still getting some love and publicity.
Great review of a terrific film! How many times can I vote for a review on The Adventures of Robin Hood? As they say, vote early, vote often. Seriously, I've been waiting and hoping you'd do a review of these "older" films with great fight scenes. There's a wealth of movies from the 40's that are full of swashbuckling adventure to explore. I do agree with you, they don't make like that anymore. More's the pity. Have fun tomorrow, I'll catch it on the rebound.
Thank you so much. This video was a lot of fun and I definitely will be watching this movie! Also, Just Stab Me Now was thoroughly enjoyable and I didn't want it to end! Thank you so much for a slice of cheer in a turbulent world!
Yay Jill is back! I watched the first Narnia movie (The lion, the witch and the wardrobe) over the weekend with my daughter. I had to wonder what Jill would say about the final sword fight between Peter and the witch. 😅
Altogether , one of my fav movies. Rathbone was a trained fencer and stage fight expert. There was a backup expert who, during some bits of the scene covered for Powers. Don't forget Rthbone and Errol Flynn in Captain Blood.. A great scene
I'd love to see you cover Adventures of Robin Hood. Honestly, I'd be excited for Captain Blood as well - very different fight, but since we only got two with these two actors (I think?), I'd love to see you compare and contrast them.
I found this fight so riveting when I first saw it years ago, and your excellent commentary shows why it still holds up so well. I absolutely love how Diego's dainty facade falls away to his rising kharme throughout the duel. The lines "I needed that scratch to awaken me!" and "You fight like the Devil himself!" were also highlights. Please do the Robin Hood video!
I grew up with this movie, despite it predating me by over fifty years, and still love it to pieces. You've helped me to appreciate it even more, and I would love to see you do the same for Robin Hood. :)
I grew up on these sword fights shown on Saturday morning television. I even did a bit of stage fencing at one point. However, the Three Musketeers (the seventies version with Michael York as D'Artangion) blew me away with their sword fights. For the first time, it actually looked like people were actually fighting, not just performing a complicated dance with sharp pointy things.
Me, too! I went so far as to find out the name of the fight arranger, William Hobbs, and for years I would follow his movies, never mind the actors. She could do a whole series on the fights in The Duelists, let alone Three and Four Musketeers.
I sometimes wonder if these scenes were better in the past because there were still a few cavalrymen who knew how swords worked and Hollywood knew they'd appreciate the quality. Same with a lot of horsemanship.
Rathbone was an accomplished swordsman and was twice British Army fencing champion before his move to Hollywood. The army really can prepare you for anything!
I was really hoping that you would do this movie one day. That final fight scene is my most favorite. So right that they do not make many like this anymore. Thanks, Jill!
Your fight analyses are always both delightful and insightful, especially the narrative construction, and the ways they reveal character to the audience. I look forward to sometime in the (distant?) future when you do an analysis of the climactic duel in "Scaramouche", notwithstanding that it will probably run about half an hour long. (Even with all the breaks between shots, Stewie Granger and Mel Ferrer must have been in amazing shape while they were filming it.)
I grew up watching the Zorro series with Guy Williams, and this character is one of the few things that can make me feel nostalgic. I'll be sure to watch this movie one day. By the way, alcalde is just the Spanish word for mayor, so you got that right. EDIT: actor's name.
All those old school adventure movies between the 40’s and 60’s like Zorro, Scaramouche and The Three Musketeers have wonderful sword choreography. Incredibly charming movies
Tyrone Power is my favorite Zorro and this is one of my all-time favorite movies! So happy to see it here! PS: Also read your book! I really enjoyed it!
Okay, thanks ! Glad someone talks about my favourite Zorro movie. Always been in my top 10 duels. And since it's not much discussed in the video above, just take a moment to appreciate the footwork in this scene. It's just perfect. It's basically fencing p***n at that point.^^
Love that this popped up in my recommendations. Tyrone Power was my great-great-uncle, and my young son is following in his footsteps at the local fencing academy. It’s nice to see someone still talking about these old fight scenes and movies in a positive light.
Completely agree. I need more action where I can follow or at least see what's happening. Most of the action movies I can't even see what the characters are doing.
She's back!!! I adore this movie, and I'm SO glad to see you're back to doing fight analyses. Can't wait to see your video on Adventures of Robin Hood! Another great classic.
I don’t know anything about the technical side of stage fighting, but I know what I like, and I love this sequence. Had a quick look through your playlists, and didn’t see it, but have you covered Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy? The sword master (I think that’s the right terminology?) for them said Viggo Mortensen was one of the most gifted swordsmen he had ever trained. I’d be interested to know if this was just smoke-blowing, or if he really is that talented. Speaking of Aragorn, as portrayed in the films: what a fantastic male role model, which are few and far between, these days… Cheers,
I'd love to see this done with the 1957 Zorro TV series. I watched it in syndication when but a youth, and remember it as a great time. It would be interesting to watch it again with analysis.
My second favorite comment on the screenplay I wrote (After `You created a character driven action movie.') was `it was easy to follow what the characters were doing during the fight scenes.' Unfortunately, I can't write dieoloug, or spell.
So, as a writer, I shamelessly eavesdrop on people in coffee shops. The rhythm of speech, the way people chat, it's a great place for dialogue. Also, critically important, ALWAYS read your dialogue out loud to yourself. You will know it's bad if you cringe while saying it. :D My family knows I'm writing if I'm walking around the house declaiming speeches.
Fun video. Would appreciate a Robinhood review. Have you or could you do a Three Musketeers review at some point? I'm curious about your thoughts about group fight scenes.😁
I’m so pleased you covered this. I have fond memories of watching this, and so many other classic movies, sat with my Gran when she looked after us as kids. Left me with an abiding love of old movies. And now I get to do the same with my own 8 year old daughter, particularly the Adventures of Robin Hood (so yes, please do cover it), and the Court Jester (she can already quote most of the ‘vessel with pestle’ dialogue by heart)
It's really a shame thsy don't make them like this anymore seeing as HEMA study has popped off in the last few decades. Also, here's hoping jill gets onto BBCs The Musketeers, the swords and costumes were gorgeous (if highly anachronistic) Would love a review of the Treville/Labarge/D'artagnan fight from S1.
Tyrone Power and Sherlock Holmes seem to actually know how to fight with swords, and both seem to be natural athletes. I think an underappreciated swords person was Diana Rigg/ Emma Peel of the 1960s's "The Avengers." She also appeared to be a natural athlete who was quite good with a foil. She even seemed to know sword etiquette.
I got so much flack for bringing this to a movie night. Those that stuck around and watched it loved it... the women especially. Anyway, please do Robin Hood. Fun fact: Robin Hood's horse is Trigger, Roy Roger's horse. Yippy Kai Yay
I'm disappointed you haven't yet touched on the movies of Douglas Fairbanks. They often get unfairly overlooked because they come from the Silent Era. But Douglas Fairbanks not only single handedly created the Hollywood Action Hero - he also originated the sword wielding swashbuckler of the silver screen! The whole reason you can enjoy the tradition of grand sword fights in movies is all thanks to Douglas Fairbanks. And he was man gifted with genuine grace.
The masters of their art were historically treated as wallflowers. It gets to a point where going independent is their only salvation apart from using mainstream sources to get their name and work out there.
I remember seeing that movie! I loved it. Of course, we only had a black and white TV when I was a kid. Tyrone Power was fabulous to watch with a sword, which he also used in pirate movies. I couldn't get enough of him. :) Jon in rural BC, Canada
at least 1-40 people say this in your comments with every analysis I'm pretty sure but I'd happily trade the current style of combat scenes in cinema with this one- I'd even take a healthy combination. I love love love steady shots full of technique, I think they've got their own tension and thrill. I understand that 100 cuts a second requires way less time and training to shoot but...
I did not recognize that first clip. Then I remembered that I have not watched The Mark of Zorro since I was a child and it appeared regularly “Edited for Length and Content” (and commercials) on Sunday afternoon’s Family Classics on TV. I have encountered similar lacunae on Robin Hood and other films. It needs a new watch.
If you like the role of Diego as the spoiled charming rich guy, you gotta watch Jeeves & Wooster(with Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry), that show is brilliant.
Thanks! That certainly brightened my day. I haven’t gone through your whole video library, but I’m surprised you haven’t done Robin Hood already! Would enjoy seeing that.
If you got the opportunity, you should definetely watch a very recent french movie : "une affaire d'honneur". Fencing, affair, and a director fond of fencing.
Basil Rathbone was one of the best fencers in Hollywood at that time. He was a two time British Army fencing champion. A truly fine actor. I've never heard anything bad about him.
I'm not going to lie to you, it's nice to be back with a fight analysis :D Hope your day is going beautifully!
wait... you normally do fight analysis and not write fantasy novels!? i have been deceived!!
all jokes aside, its great to see you back in your element!
Love your fight analysis. Reminds me of talking with fencing friends about the latest sword movies.
I find I'm allergic to colorized black & white. Cheese does make a suitable recovery medication though.
And an amazing fight analysis it was....!
(Please do Robin Hood next )
💙💙
When is the audiobook of JSMN coming out?
"The Plot Goeth Thusly" is a great title to a sequel of "Just Stab Me Now", I'm just saying.
😂 Oh, Spear Me!
Come to think of it, that’s a good title too…
Can we please get to the point
EXCELLENT !!!
@@weswolever7477
You have a sharp wit!
Sequels?
When I was young Basil Rathbone came to my town. I went because I had seen some of his movies. He did poetry reading & dramatic scenes. Then he talked about his fencing movies. He said that Errol Flynn was a great natural athlete but he was lazy. Basil said that he kept up with his fencing training whereas Flynn did not. As a result Rathbone said he could have killed Flynn anytime he had wanted to…. He did speak, with admiration, about Tyrone Power. He had considerable experience as a fencer and kept up with his training. I think the complexity of the Mask of Zorro scenes speak to Powers abilities.
Not sure if you know this story or not. Power was making the film Solomon & Sheba. Tyrone had just done a vigorous fencing scene. Shortly afterwards he died of a heart attack. All lead actors are insured by the film studio. The movie company recast using Yul Brynner to replace Power.
Flynn was a "natural athlete" but by 1938, I assume lifestyle was catching up with him. Flynn had a heart attack filming Gentleman Jim (1942), which was filmed just after the US Army refused to allow him to join due to his health.
I love this fight for how much the fencers keep their hands in FRONT of them. They are in control and doing very little flailing large movements... You know, like someone who doesn't want to fet stabbed
I never knew what the plot of Mark of Zoro was until now, and it makes so much sense why DC chose that movie to be the one Bruce Wayne watched the night his parents died. Bro was a 1:1 match with the character of Zoro, but with less swords and more violence.
Not a coincidence, Kane and Finger were heavily influenced by the Zorro novels when they created Batman. Zorro is the classic archetype of the masked vigilante with a double identity as member of wealthy high society. There are a few more masked heros in 19th century literature, but they usually fall into the full on rebell archetype and are more inconspicuous in their "law-abiding civilian" persona, if they maintain that persona at all once they start going on their masked vigilante adventures.
@@chrisrudolf9839 Was going to mention The Scarlet Pimpernel, but just found out that's historical fiction written much later in the early 20th.
The original novel of the Scarlet Pimpernel predates Zorro, actually. They're not written when they were set :D TSP, Zorro, and Dr. Syn are all great looks into the early days of 'secret identity heroes' that would someday lead to the comic book legends of today@@aliceroorback3717
@@aliceroorback3717The Pimpernel still deserves to be in the conversation, predating Zorro, 1905 vs 1919. And of course, the Pimpernel pioneered the "wealthy man puts on fake wimpy personality" trope. The only modern "superhero" bit he's missing is the identifiable masked costume, being a master of disguise instead.
@@lightning3822 Also Pimpernel was written by a woman and then the concept was stolen by a man. Not saying that this happens a lot throughout history.... but.... :D Though, tbf, the idea of a rich kid robbing the rich to help the poor goes back a ways. Pimpernel was also specifically rescuing aristocrats from Madame Guillotine, while Zorro was fighting back against corrupt aristocracy, so there are sufficient differences that it can be seen more as a trope being followed than a direct steal.
The fact that the Baroness's sympathies would be more towards the doomed French nobles is understandable. However, a white guy romanticizing Spanish California and erasing the real backstory of his original inspiration is somewhat problematic. Saloman Pico, his inspiration, was killing whites who were stealing the lands of the Spanish settlers. But, instead of showing his own race as the aggressors, McCulley made the other Spaniards the bad guys and erased the Anglo settlers violence and thievery out of the story. That he blended Pimpernel-like qualities with the historical bandit and murderer was his own invention, there is no evidence that Saloman Pico hid his identity, rather it's more likely he was protected by the Spanish and natives of California since he was fighting on their behalf.
None of which stops me from loving the Zorro movies, TV series, etc etc. XD
It makes me unreasonably happy and smiley-faced that a woman of your generation shows so much appreciation for one of the films and swordfights that fueled my long-ago childhood imagination and playground activities. Thank you!
Love Basil Rathbone. He makes his opponents look good. Was so giving as a fencer.
His accent gives chills.
I always think of him as Rasil Bathbone
Couldn't agree more, @michaelmcnamara4879. He was literally a supporting actor.
He was a British Army fencing champion while serving as a WWI MI officer.@@treadtrick
Rathbone was an Olympic fencer and yeah, he makes every opponent look good.
I just stopped by our neighborhood's small bookstore in California to get some other books, and was so excited to see that they had copies of Just Stab Me Now on display right as you walked into the shop! Picked up a copy and can't wait to start reading it, and loved to see small businesses highlighting new authors!!!
First it was The Court Jester, now The Mark of Zorro.
Basically, you're coverage of stage combat works as a film recommendation feed for me.
EDIT: Also, the Adventures of Robin Hood, you're only making my point for me!
After that, watch Captain Blood.
@@crazypetec-130fe7 and then perhaps Scaramouch... but Blood is a good choice.
And The Princess Bride has been covered favourably as well.
Danny Kaye, another excellent fencer.
Remember when actors had a widely varied skill set?
Basil Rathbone made all his dueling partners look great. From Errol Flynn to Tyrone Powers to even Danny Kaye. He is my stage swordfight Great Buddha.
To quote Danny Kaye from "The Court Jester":
My enemies say "Gadzooks! It's spooks!"
Shivering in their socks
They know that they'll never, I'm far too clever
They'll never outfox *the* *Fox* !
(and The Fox in Spanish is El - - )
🦊😄
I never knew!
Wonderful quote from a great movie! ❤️
The tounge twisters in that movie. Danny Kaye was a brilliant underrated actor.
@@johnthomas2485 I wholeheartedly agree!
The fruit bat - one of the largest bats - is also called a flying fox, but are not native to Europe or North America.
Whee, Zorro! If we're into classic fencing movies, the 1952 movie 'Scaramouche' with Stewart Granger is worth a look.
Seconded! I love the part on the balcony railing.
Yes!
+
I read somewhere that this fight was the longest ever filmed (to this point, at least). Mel Ferrer was known to be a very good swordsman.
I would definitely love to see an analysis on Adventures of Robin Hood!
Please, please, please!
Yes. That would be wonderful.
Hear, hear.
Yes, please one of my all time favorites.
I will add my voice to this comment because I love that movie! I'm not at all allergic to old films, in color or in B&W.
Would you be willing to do some analysis on the Disney Zorro TV series? (FINALLY Available on Disney Plus!) Guy Williams looks good doing the part and appears to be having so much FUN during his sword fights that to me, he is, was, and always will be the person I think of when I picture Zorro. Likewise, his villain for the first half of Season 1was Britt Lomond, who won many tournaments before and after World War II, and was a proper fencing champion.
The legendary Fred Cavens was the fight trainer and choreographer for the sword fights, and according to Williams's son, Cavens had high praise for Williams as a fight actor and enjoyed working with him.
Idk if you have the time or inclination to give those early episodes a look (Zorro does not seem, to my untrained eyes, ever have a better dueling in the series than Capitan Monastario, so I doubt you would find anything worthy of analysis after his death in Season 1, but what do I know?)
I think the difference between Power's Diego and Banderas' Alejandro is that Diego isn't pretending to be a foppish gentleman, he *is* a foppish gentleman in an era where the son of a lord was expected to be a well-dressed, charming flirt who was also capable of defending his honour with a blade if needed. Donna Inez probably isn't the first married woman he's turned on the charm with. The only thing about him that's really an act is his disinterest in California and his father's career.
His duel with Rathbone is utterly magnificent. As you point out, it's one of the few movie fights where both participants are clearly skilled swordsmen and the camera just hangs back to watch them work. It's also one of the few movie duels I can remember where the hero wins because he's clearly just that little bit better. The whole thing's a lost art.
Diego's foppish behavior is DEFINITELY an affectation. An act. He says as much when speaking to Lolita in her bedroom. Also, his interactions with Lolita and Inez are different as night and day. Were foppish behavior expected of the landed gentry, he would have acted the same with both women. Also, Diego's parents and friends are all shocked by his behavior.
"...the plot goeth thusly..." * happy sigh * Missed that! Have always loved this movie and now I love it even more because of your authoritative and immensely impressive swordswoman insights. AND...I will have you know that I will be rereading my signed copy of your book on the plane(s) both to and from Montreal next week. Perhaps drum up some interest and some more book selling business for you! = )
(* Gasp *) a _signed_ copy!? How did you acquire such a rare and precious thing?
@@ekij133 Well, "the plot goeth thusly" (always wanted to say that! = ). While birthday wishes CAN work...I actually got it a month or so before that. As a fellow writer, I happily became of of Jill's volunteer proof readers! The much overcompensating reward was a signed copy with a pithy comment!!!!
Ah, (Captain) Lover, give my regards to Dorval Airport; I used to go through there all the time.
And stop bragging about a signed copy with pithy comment… 😂
What do you write?
I am so jealous of you, with your signed copy!!!
@ErnestLordGoring Illegibly...most of the time=) Finishing a book about wrongful convictions among natives in Canada. Giving a talk at McGill about it.
This is one of my personal favorite movies and I love Diego's character. I think the way you can see his knowledge of swordplay in this fight is really well done. He knows his stuff but to an extent you see how he hasn't been challenged truly in a while in the scratch. He's not cocky enough to let his guard down like others who have gotten that good, but it's more he sees that scratch and goes "oh. It's time to push into my stretch zone." Like when you're stretching and you go from comfortable to the limits of comfort. It's just... such a subtle thing but when you realize that, it really comes together.
Plus, if I'm real, little teen me was crushing hard on Diego and Lolita. I may not have realized it, but I now look and go "oh you bi baby... you seeing what he sees in Lolita is not aesthetics..." That said, I do like how the 2000s movies had our leading lady be a swordswoman too. It just added another layer to her. But you can see the base of that idea (Lolita is a bit of a feisty one and she doesn't like how her uncle runs things) in this film.
Sticking swords into ceiling beams and leaving them there seems to have some heath and safety concerns.
plus it seems to be a bit wasteful of swords.
Nah, I’m sure it’s fine. 😅
@@kenbrown2808I know you're making a joke, but that's actually a key point in the plot - no one would leave his sword in the rafters if he planned on USING it again. It signals the career change and social change from violent struggle to peace 🙂
Let's ask Damocles his opinion.
@@zenlizard1850 Damocles at least wants a string tied to it.
I really enjoy your fight analyses. If Errol Flynn is on the table, I'd be interested in an analysis of "Don Juan", "Master of Ballantrae", or "Against All Flags" after "The Adventures of Robin Hood". Anything by Stewart Granger would also be great, such as 'Moonfleet", "Swordsman of Siena", "The Prisoner of Zenda" or the incomparable "Scaramouche". There is a fine duel between Anthony Andrews and Sir Ian McKellan in "The Scarlet Pimpernel". Finally, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on more comedic swordfights like Malcolm McDowell vs. Alan Bates in "Royal Flash", Tony Curtis vs. Ross Martin in "The Great Race" or any of the Richard Lester-directed Musketeer films.
This is one of my favorite favorites EVER. In my stage combat classes, we came back to this one a lot because it was just that good. In fact, my teacher and his assistant had worked on recreating this fight themselves back when I started, and we were always told to go back to this fight as the high point of Golden Age Swash.
I had the chance to chat very, very briefly with the actor Britt Lomond, who played Capt. Monastario on Disney's Zorro TV series, which employed Maestro Fred Cavens (the man who did this fight) as its fencing master, and Mr. Lomond confirmed for me that there was something of a tradition on set dating back to the original Zorro from 1920:
Douglas Fairbanks, who'd employed Maestro Cavens on his 1926 film "The Black Pirate," was so grateful and so impressed by Maestro Cavens that he gave him the sword that he'd used in the original Mark of Zorro. Cavens would then use that sword in subsequent Zorro productions and Mr. Lomond thought that Rathbone might have been using it when fighting Tyrone Power.
If you haven't seen the silent Mark of Zorro, it's notable not so much for the sword work (choreographed by Maestro Cavens' predecessor at the Los Angeles Fencing Club, J. Henry Uttenhove) but for Doug's portrayal of Diego Vega vs. Zorro. It's about the most subtle work of Doug's career, and the high point of the chase through the village is not to be missed.
The double on this set, for what it's worth, was Maestro Cavens' son Albert, who also played the ship captain bringing Guy Williams to California in the Disney Zorro's first episode. According to my stage combat instructor, Albert also choreographed the quarterstaff fight between Alan Hale and Errol Flynn in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" - at least, if I remember that rightly.
Thank you for this fascinating backstory!
Used to do some stunts back in my 20s. You feel it in your 40s. Get in the union for the health insurance if you are into stage combat.
@@thomasprislacjr.4063 I hear you. I'm in my 50's now and, after a long time of martial arts training and sword work, I can definitely feel it. I've been on some SAG-eligible stuff but I'm not union yet (plus I'm too old to go for a stuntman, so the best I can do in that line is just be an actor who can fight).
It is a good scene, but it can't hold a candle to the duel from "The Deluge" (1974). It's a Polish movie, quite unknown in the USA, but it is on youtube (just search deluge duel scene).
@@neverstopschweiking I've seen the duel from "The Deluge" and that's a very, very good fight. The actor playing the villain (Kmicic?) has an incredibly hard job trying to do some very long, extended attacks (lunges) on terrain that's supposed to be saturated with rain. That's a much more realistic and gritty fight than the Zorro fight Jill's analyzed in her video, but Zorro isn't really a character that lends himself to grim, gritty realism. There's an element of fun with Zorro that wouldn't do in The Deluge.
The actor playing Col. Wolodyjowski did a beautiful job with one of my favorite character types - the solid professional with an iron sense of integrity. That duel scene is amazing for a reason.
Besides "The Adventures of Robin Hood", future investigations should include "Scaramouche" and "The Great Race" (which has THREE wonderful fight scenes -- barroom brawl, swordfight and, of course, THE pie fight -- perhaps requiring a trio of episodes).
And yes, I know the swordfight in "The Great Race" is fairly simplistic (and riffing off the Coleman/Fairbanks "Prisoner of Zenda"), but it's the speed at which Tony Curtis and Ross Martin are performing. As well, the change up from one weapon to another and the SOUND change between foil v. foil and saber v. saber is a terrific touch, which also helps build the tension of the scene.
And there is also a flirty swordfight at the start of the movie, which isn't a bad thing to start with, right?
I would add the 1952 Prisoner of Zenda. It usually gets dismissed as a shot-for-shot remake of the 1937 version, which it mostly is, but the climactic duel is completely different and James Mason's take on the villain is much subtler than Fairbanks Jr's.
Those ringing sabers in Great Race are indeed a fantastic moment.
As a kid, I watched "The Court Jester" before I saw "The Mark of Zorro", so I saw the candle gag out of order (gasp!), but I was at least old enough to know that this movie was made first, so I could appreciate that the "Court Jester" one was a call-back to this. I love this fight, even though I know absolutely nothing about sword fights. And this movie made me fall in love with Tyrone Power, period. And Basil Rathbone, although he's always a villain (aside from Holmes, and I've only watched one of those movies), has definitely grown on me as I've come to appreciate how darn good he was at ... well, THIS.
Go back and watch all the Rathbone Holmes movies. Stop everything and do it right now. XD You will fall so deeply in love with Basil that you will never get over it. Or... maybe that's just me. LOL the fact that the mouse in Great Mouse Detective was named "Basil" ought to tell you just how much he was Holmes in everyone's minds for decades.
@@eshbena Done and will do! Just finished "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and am excited to see more!
Rathbone - English actor as usual condemned to be the baddie in Hollywood. Its what they do.
Margret Mitchill always said she thought Rathbone should have played Rhett Butler. It is interesting how authors see their characters as opposed to how the public does.@@eshbena
You're at your best when you analyse galant fighting and teach me fencing names I never knew! Love it!
You asked: do we want... Yes we want. Of course! Naturally. and btw this was excellent - as always.
Yes, of course more fight analysis videos from the golden days are welcome! So this comment is purely for the benefit of Uncle Algo!
Although, on second thought, here’s one for you: You are positively glowing with joy so while I am glad that you wrote a book and I loved reading it… nice to see you back where you feel home!
I've missed "The plot goeth thusly..." Also I'd love to see you cover The Adventures of Robin Hood.
Thank you Jill!!! I have been hoping for more fight analysis videos and this was the video I was most hoping for! Yes to Robin Hood - or maybe a comparison video of the Flynn/Rathbone fight in Robin Hood to their fight in Captain Blood? One other suggestion for down the road; how about an analysis of the swordfight between Vincent Price and Ian Hendry in Theater of Blood (1973).
I caught a Jill Bearup sword fighting video less than a minute after it drops on a Monday? This bodes well for the week!
Basil Rathbone is such a good stage swordsman I never even clocked he always loses XD He sold the threat anyways!
His other onscreen victory is in Romeo and Juliet. But he's Tybalt, which means he kills Mercutio and then gets killed by Romeo right after.
I love Basil Rathbone. While I mostly know him as Sherlock Holmes, he's also great in some horror roles, most notably as Wolf Frankenstein in the underrated 'Son of Frankenstein'.
I grew up with a black and white TV set for years, and loathed it for a time, but today I find that I really dig the atmosphere that B&W can add to some films, and have grown to appreciate it.
Three things:
1. Excellent analysis as always. Love listening to you break these fights down.
2. I had no idea this scene was under cranked. If so, it’s done much more subtly than I’ve seen in other films and speaks volumes about the skill of the camera operators for this picture.
3. My grandmother was a huge fan of Tyron Power and named one of my uncles after him.
The Mark of Zorro is way up on my list of favorite movies.
The two fights I enjoy the most between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone are from Captain Blood, the fight on the shoreline rocks and the finale in The Adventures of Robin Hood where they are using Arming Swords instead of foils for a nice more accurate change.
Did they have any other sword fights together? I thought Robin Hood and Captain Blood were the only two.
@@JillBearup Those were the only two that I know of. But there's a beautiful little fight in The Adventures of Robin Hood between Friar Tuck (Eugene Pallette) and Flynn that's worth your time because it's just so much fun. The same Eugene Pallette is also the left-handed priest trying to take out Rathbone in this Zorro, and he was Aramis in Douglas Fairbanks' The Three Musketeers.
@@mickfoil now I'm humming the joyful fight tune from the Friar Tuck fight scene in my head😂 Such a good show!
@@adedow1333 I just watched that fight again - I LOVE watching Eugene Pallette light up when he gets the run down of benefits that are to come when he joins Ye Merrie Men. I LOVE that scene!
Captain Blood! I'd forgotten about it! Excellent movie!
I loved this film as a kid, although I'm not sure why, because there's a lot of talking. But I was purely there for the sword fights. I found a copy in a charity shop a few years ago and I was delighted to find that it absolutely holds up and I appreciate it even more now that I'm an adult.
I love that you've made a whole video about this and I'm really pleased the film is still getting some love and publicity.
Great review of a terrific film! How many times can I vote for a review on The Adventures of Robin Hood? As they say, vote early, vote often. Seriously, I've been waiting and hoping you'd do a review of these "older" films with great fight scenes. There's a wealth of movies from the 40's that are full of swashbuckling adventure to explore. I do agree with you, they don't make like that anymore. More's the pity. Have fun tomorrow, I'll catch it on the rebound.
Gotta second the vote for Flynn and Rathbone's big fight-in-tights, it's my all-time favorite movie
I third this vote….I NEED a Robin Hood review!!!!
Thank you so much. This video was a lot of fun and I definitely will be watching this movie!
Also, Just Stab Me Now was thoroughly enjoyable and I didn't want it to end! Thank you so much for a slice of cheer in a turbulent world!
Yay Jill is back! I watched the first Narnia movie (The lion, the witch and the wardrobe) over the weekend with my daughter. I had to wonder what Jill would say about the final sword fight between Peter and the witch. 😅
Altogether , one of my fav movies. Rathbone was a trained fencer and stage fight expert. There was a backup expert who, during some bits of the scene covered for Powers. Don't forget Rthbone and Errol Flynn in Captain Blood.. A great scene
I'd love to see you cover Adventures of Robin Hood. Honestly, I'd be excited for Captain Blood as well - very different fight, but since we only got two with these two actors (I think?), I'd love to see you compare and contrast them.
I second this
@@Justdave1472 The motion is passed.
I found this fight so riveting when I first saw it years ago, and your excellent commentary shows why it still holds up so well. I absolutely love how Diego's dainty facade falls away to his rising kharme throughout the duel.
The lines "I needed that scratch to awaken me!" and "You fight like the Devil himself!" were also highlights.
Please do the Robin Hood video!
I grew up with this movie, despite it predating me by over fifty years, and still love it to pieces. You've helped me to appreciate it even more, and I would love to see you do the same for Robin Hood. :)
I'm quite a bit younger and I grew up watching this one too. Love it!
I grew up on these sword fights shown on Saturday morning television. I even did a bit of stage fencing at one point. However, the Three Musketeers (the seventies version with Michael York as D'Artangion) blew me away with their sword fights. For the first time, it actually looked like people were actually fighting, not just performing a complicated dance with sharp pointy things.
Me, too! I went so far as to find out the name of the fight arranger, William Hobbs, and for years I would follow his movies, never mind the actors.
She could do a whole series on the fights in The Duelists, let alone Three and Four Musketeers.
You're in your Element here, Jill Bearup.
This was a great review. I thoroughly enjoyed your interpretation.
Thank you, thank you... thank you.
I sometimes wonder if these scenes were better in the past because there were still a few cavalrymen who knew how swords worked and Hollywood knew they'd appreciate the quality. Same with a lot of horsemanship.
Rathbone was an accomplished swordsman and was twice British Army fencing champion before his move to Hollywood. The army really can prepare you for anything!
I was really hoping that you would do this movie one day. That final fight scene is my most favorite. So right that they do not make many like this anymore. Thanks, Jill!
Your fight analyses are always both delightful and insightful, especially the narrative construction, and the ways they reveal character to the audience. I look forward to sometime in the (distant?) future when you do an analysis of the climactic duel in "Scaramouche", notwithstanding that it will probably run about half an hour long. (Even with all the breaks between shots, Stewie Granger and Mel Ferrer must have been in amazing shape while they were filming it.)
I grew up watching the Zorro series with Guy Williams, and this character is one of the few things that can make me feel nostalgic. I'll be sure to watch this movie one day. By the way, alcalde is just the Spanish word for mayor, so you got that right. EDIT: actor's name.
@@aaronleverton4221 I did, and I have no clue how I mixed them up. I'll edit the name. Thank you.
@@taylor_green_9 Deleted.
All those old school adventure movies between the 40’s and 60’s like
Zorro, Scaramouche and The Three Musketeers have wonderful sword choreography. Incredibly charming movies
As much as I like having your book on my e book reader, I missed these.. :)
Tyrone Power is my favorite Zorro and this is one of my all-time favorite movies! So happy to see it here!
PS: Also read your book! I really enjoyed it!
Please do Adventures of Robin Hood. Saw a gorgeous print of it in a small Seattle movie house 52 years ago and would love your review.
It's a very fun movie! And the DVD is available on Amazon
Yes... no leaping around, summersaults, spins where you show your back, etc. and yet it's still far more exciting as most modern fight scenes.
Careful -they do all of that in The Princess Bride - Jill's favourite!
Okay, thanks ! Glad someone talks about my favourite Zorro movie. Always been in my top 10 duels. And since it's not much discussed in the video above, just take a moment to appreciate the footwork in this scene. It's just perfect. It's basically fencing p***n at that point.^^
Love that this popped up in my recommendations. Tyrone Power was my great-great-uncle, and my young son is following in his footsteps at the local fencing academy. It’s nice to see someone still talking about these old fight scenes and movies in a positive light.
Completely agree. I need more action where I can follow or at least see what's happening. Most of the action movies I can't even see what the characters are doing.
Roben hood, roben hood! Hehe glad to see you back ma'am!
While I loved the Fantasy Heroine series and I LOVED the book, it's so good to be back to the old flight analysis videos 🥰
I commend your choice of sponsorship! It was an excellent book and a suitable review has been left❤
She's back!!! I adore this movie, and I'm SO glad to see you're back to doing fight analyses. Can't wait to see your video on Adventures of Robin Hood! Another great classic.
I love this movie and this is my favourite sword fight ever.
I don’t know anything about the technical side of stage fighting, but I know what I like, and I love this sequence.
Had a quick look through your playlists, and didn’t see it, but have you covered Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy? The sword master (I think that’s the right terminology?) for them said Viggo Mortensen was one of the most gifted swordsmen he had ever trained. I’d be interested to know if this was just smoke-blowing, or if he really is that talented.
Speaking of Aragorn, as portrayed in the films: what a fantastic male role model, which are few and far between, these days…
Cheers,
I'd love to see this done with the 1957 Zorro TV series. I watched it in syndication when but a youth, and remember it as a great time. It would be interesting to watch it again with analysis.
Yes! Guy Williams (Zorro) and Britt Lomond (Monasterio) were both excellent fencers! IMHO
Ah, back when films weren't cut so fast that your head spins regardless of what's on screen. Love it!
This was fun. Thanks for explaining a couple of fight moves.
1. Very much yes to seeing you go through The Adventures of Robin Hood.
2. Your book is excellent. Everyone should buy it.
My second favorite comment on the screenplay I wrote (After `You created a character driven action movie.') was `it was easy to follow what the characters were doing during the fight scenes.' Unfortunately, I can't write dieoloug, or spell.
So, as a writer, I shamelessly eavesdrop on people in coffee shops. The rhythm of speech, the way people chat, it's a great place for dialogue. Also, critically important, ALWAYS read your dialogue out loud to yourself. You will know it's bad if you cringe while saying it. :D My family knows I'm writing if I'm walking around the house declaiming speeches.
@@eshbena Thank you.
Scaramouche was the movie that introduced me to movie combat. Always have a soft spot for Stuart Granger.
I now know which film is next on my watch list....
Good actors, plot and action. Bonus points for no CGI
Fun video.
Would appreciate a Robinhood review.
Have you or could you do a Three Musketeers review at some point?
I'm curious about your thoughts about group fight scenes.😁
I’m so pleased you covered this. I have fond memories of watching this, and so many other classic movies, sat with my Gran when she looked after us as kids. Left me with an abiding love of old movies.
And now I get to do the same with my own 8 year old daughter, particularly the Adventures of Robin Hood (so yes, please do cover it), and the Court Jester (she can already quote most of the ‘vessel with pestle’ dialogue by heart)
It's really a shame thsy don't make them like this anymore seeing as HEMA study has popped off in the last few decades.
Also, here's hoping jill gets onto BBCs The Musketeers, the swords and costumes were gorgeous (if highly anachronistic) Would love a review of the Treville/Labarge/D'artagnan fight from S1.
Yes, please The Musketeers.
Tyrone Power and Sherlock Holmes seem to actually know how to fight with swords, and both seem to be natural athletes. I think an underappreciated swords person was Diana Rigg/ Emma Peel of the 1960s's "The Avengers." She also appeared to be a natural athlete who was quite good with a foil. She even seemed to know sword etiquette.
I got so much flack for bringing this to a movie night. Those that stuck around and watched it loved it... the women especially.
Anyway, please do Robin Hood. Fun fact: Robin Hood's horse is Trigger, Roy Roger's horse.
Yippy Kai Yay
I've read that it wasn't Robin's but rather Lady Marian's
Great job! I adore the old movies where you get to see what's going on. Would love one on Robin Hood!
I'm disappointed you haven't yet touched on the movies of Douglas Fairbanks. They often get unfairly overlooked because they come from the Silent Era. But Douglas Fairbanks not only single handedly created the Hollywood Action Hero - he also originated the sword wielding swashbuckler of the silver screen! The whole reason you can enjoy the tradition of grand sword fights in movies is all thanks to Douglas Fairbanks. And he was man gifted with genuine grace.
And also was an incredible actor. Denied the use of his voice, his face carries the whole load and does it masterfully.
The masters of their art were historically treated as wallflowers. It gets to a point where going independent is their only salvation apart from using mainstream sources to get their name and work out there.
Great combination of stage fight choreography and film language analysis!
I really need an extended exploration of the Black Knight fight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
“Not Actually Fleshwounds”
Yes, in-depth coverage rather than something that merely scratches the surface.
@@ernestcline2868 Strange women posting videos with swords is no basis for a system of reviews…
@@ErnestLordGoringIf I claimed I didn't like it, they'd put me away!
I do appreciate that Chapman's Arthur wields Excalibur with one hand, per Mallory.
I remember seeing that movie! I loved it. Of course, we only had a black and white TV when I was a kid.
Tyrone Power was fabulous to watch with a sword, which he also used in pirate movies. I couldn't get enough of him. :)
Jon in rural BC, Canada
Adventures of Robin Hood, and Captain Blood. Hmm...Basil Rathbone was in both of them. :)
Love your plot summaries! Always get at least a chuckle :)
at least 1-40 people say this in your comments with every analysis I'm pretty sure but I'd happily trade the current style of combat scenes in cinema with this one- I'd even take a healthy combination. I love love love steady shots full of technique, I think they've got their own tension and thrill. I understand that 100 cuts a second requires way less time and training to shoot but...
Second your recommendation. Saw it on my black & white tv as a kid, and it's been my favorite duel scene ever since!
Hey Jill, you could do the fight between Power and George Sanders in the Black Swan (1942)..possibly the best pirate movie ever
Maureen O'Hara! The woman I wanted to grow up to be. :)
@@eshbena The Queen of the Swashbucklers..and the root of my Redhead obsession
I did not recognize that first clip. Then I remembered that I have not watched The Mark of Zorro since I was a child and it appeared regularly “Edited for Length and Content” (and commercials) on Sunday afternoon’s Family Classics on TV. I have encountered similar lacunae on Robin Hood and other films. It needs a new watch.
I love Zorro. Maybe cover some of the fights from the Adventures of Zorro that Disney made in the 50's.
YESSS!!! Thank you for covering this iconic duo!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE
If you like the role of Diego as the spoiled charming rich guy, you gotta watch Jeeves & Wooster(with Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry), that show is brilliant.
Glad to see you back with the fight review! Hope the new house is more settled!!
Yes, please, to Robin Hood! Also, have you ever watched Scaramouche from 1952? I remember it as wonderfully swashbuckling!
So great to see new fight analysis.
To quote a famous movie song "More, more, more"
Excellent video and a nice trip down memory lane. Many thanks!
In my opinion the finest Zorro movie ever made, and I love most of them.
Thanks! That certainly brightened my day. I haven’t gone through your whole video library, but I’m surprised you haven’t done Robin Hood already! Would enjoy seeing that.
Yes! Robin Hood, please!
YES ROBIN HOOD!!!⚔️🤺🗡️
Oh and nice dissection of the moves and character. Thanks Jill
Back in the day when knowing how to sword fight was part of an actor's kit.
I was obsessed with the Adventures of Robinhood growing up! I would love love love a video on it ❤
If you got the opportunity, you should definetely watch a very recent french movie : "une affaire d'honneur". Fencing, affair, and a director fond of fencing.
Basil Rathbone was one of the best fencers in Hollywood at that time. He was a two time British Army fencing champion. A truly fine actor. I've never heard anything bad about him.
I love your analysis. Please do "The Adventures of Robin Hood"