This is my favorite swordfight in cinematic history.
I enjoy all of the notable Zorros, from Doug Fairbanks to Guy Williams, to Duncan Regehr, to Antonio Banderas...even Alain Delon. But Tyrone Power remains my absolute favorite incarnation of the character.
Basil Rathbone, of course, is one of the great heavies of film history, perfectly suited to a role like Pasquale.
And the choreography and staging are just wonderful for this scene. No matter how many times I see it, it always thrills me.
It's a shame that the swordfighting is so great. The sound design and synchronization on this is rather poor. But again, the technique to my eyes is flawless.
fred cavens choreaphed the duel if thats how you spell it sorry.he also did captain blood 1935 and adventures of robin hood 1938 but i think his son albert cavens did the back shots of ty power during the duel and ty did his own fencing in closeups
You are very correct. In fact, if reports are true, Rathbone didn't take fencing seriouly until "Captain Blood." But Tyronne Power (Jr. I note) certainly gave him a run for his money. Let's all just enjoy the movie and watch our fat wives and childrren and vinards grow.
I wish modern films were even half this entertaining. Keep your silly wire work stunts and grandstanding orchestral scores. This is far more enjoyable; both the acting and the swordplay.
If only they got these guys to be in the old star wars films. Honestly no matter what anyone says about how good the old star wars were....the fights did suck. Now get these people there or at least there to teach the actors to fight then u got a great action scene.
@comixgod50 Those scenes were about emotion and the characters and not about the cool fighting. The fights needed to have feeling and raw emotion as they did and not be about the action itself.
this is the greatest sword fight in all filmdon. basil rathbone was indeed a sword master and taught tyron how to fence. if you look at the scene just before tyron is pushed up to the wall and says i needed that scratch to awaken me you'll see just how intense rathbones fencing is. He is really trying to best tyone in the fencing test. what a scene, what a scene. Thank you Mr. Power and Mr. Rathbone. James
As everyone knew that Tyrone Power was an excellent fencer .It is also true that he unfortunately suffered a Heart Attack & died while practicing a sword fight scene in "Soloman and Sheba" starring Gina Lollobrigida . He was then replaced by Yul Brynner. I'm quite sure there is probably footage somewhere in the studio vaults hidden away never to be seen of the actual rehearsel. I believe Basil Rathbone did state on the Mike Douglas Show that the greatest hand speed with a blade was Danny Kaye.
The great Hollywood swordsman, Basil Rathbone, who starred with him in The Mark of Zorro, commented, "Power was the most agile man with a sword I’ve ever faced before a camera. Tyrone could have fenced Errol Flynn into a cocked hat."
And to add: Basil Rathbone was the British Army Fencing Champion -- when swordfighting was still a deadly skill for a soldier; and that put him right at the Olympic level.
Consider also that Tyrone Power was 22 years younger than him when they filmed this.
Fantastic scene. Lacks perhaps the style and charm of The Princess Bride, but it more than makes up for it with the skill of the fighters. The impact of the sword strokes and long, restrained takes are very much appreciated in an age where such conflicts are shot frantically and drenched in CGI.
Good fun.But the best fencer in the golden age of Hollywood was Cornel Wilde, who qualified for the 1936 Olympic team but took up acting. You can see his footwork and hand speed were on a totally different level. Strange how no one thought to cast him as Zorro.
I must agree to most viewers. Incredible fencing/saber match in moviedom. I'll take these type of fights over special effects any time. Note: Princess Bride, Court Jester(for comedy) get my heart racing.
This is one of the all-time greatest fencing scenes. Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone are brilliant together in The Mark of Zorro. Zorro fans should also check out the new full-cast audio drama version of The Mark of Zorro starring Val Kilmer when it's released by Blackstone Audio on April 1, 2011.
fucking amazing. i can't imagine a more realistic sword-fight being filmed today. the fight scenes today looked choreographed, this looks unbelievably real.
Homfencing, kindly do your homework before twisting history; you are so wrong. Rathbone was an expert swordsman, and after he retired from Hollywood, he gave speeches at universities and the like. He often talked about his fencing skills and said that he could have dispatched his opponents to the hereafter without difficulty.
Homfencing, must agree with drsteerforth, there are many documentaries on Basil Rathbones which emphasize his mastery of swordplay and it shows, this is pretty well known to Basil's hardcore fans, and although also an admirer of Mr. Faulkners work a master in his own right he had nothing to do with The Mark of Zorro as far as credits show. There was a double for Tyrone Power in this classic scene.
@VigoronConYucca For insurance and safety purposes, Tyrone Power had an over-the-shoulder 'double' for parts of this sequence---probably Fred Cavens, who was Hollywood's leading sword-master and instructor. (He may also have doubled Rathbone in some of Power's close-up shots---hard to be sure, thanks to some VERY good film editing.)
It may shock you to know that I know who Fred Cavens was--kind of a Yakima Canutt (did I spell that right?) of the sword. But you are correct that even 70+ years ago, the insurance companies controlled things. Sounds like complete games in baseball today. 15 million, but six innings is the limit.
At least Tyronne and Basil were good enough to make it look good.
@drsteerforth Rathbone was also 15 years older when "The Court Jester" was shot. He was around 48 years old for "Mark of Zorro"....63 for " Court Jester." A lot can happen when you get into your 60s....like slowing down. No matter what he might've thought, he was likely not the same fencer he was in 1940. Explain why his face is never seen during the actual "Jester" fighting...Faulkner's doubling him.
While my personal favourite swordfight is still The Adventures of Robin Hood, this is almost certainly the best ever filmed. Both actors clearly knew what they were doing with a sword and it's yet another great scene from a wonderfully entertaining movie.
I just like this magnifficent fencing scene! Two masters at work. Nevertheless, I'd like to see that Rathbone wins a match for only one time, because he's the best! Instead he always dies... :(
I must confess, I am a simple man. As such, I derive pleasure from simple things - an impossibly good fighting scene between quite talented opponents, such as this, is one of them :)
I consider this to be the finest sword fight in filmdom history. Don't know too much about Power, but Basil Rathbone was a top rated swordsman, and he spoke at a college near where I was living in the 1960's. He claimed that he could have dispatched all his opponents in short time!
and this video is proof of how no amount of choreographed waving of swords can replace the sight of two people filmed who know exactly what they're doing.
@rocketguy2 Actually, i've heard that Basil was considered one of the best swordsmen in Hollywood at the time. I can believe it, having seen him play the lead villian in many a classic swashbuckler. This does rank as one of his better ones in my opinion though
ah the good old day! When all you had to rely on was your own witt, talent and skill to act! Not traning in the gym and get a six-pack! The good old days when fencing, dancing and horse riding were all part of an actors training and education. Man that most have been awesome!
I don't think whether it is sped up or not is really an issue. Either way, the movements were sound, they look good, and these men are actors. If they were fencers committed to their art, after a number of years they would achieve that level of speed anyway.
@CountArtha it actually is sped up, i'm not sure why, I think its inadvertent/unintended. I noticed the same with Captain Blood when it was dubbed for Spanish viewers.
The reel is being spun faster than it should, they aren't really moving that fast and they look like jittery insects. Still entertaining for an oldy though.
Wrong on both accounts. I never said it was fake, but if you don't notice that the real is being spun too fast there is something wrong with you. Fencing is a fast sword style, naturally, that was developed due to the extinction of heavy armor - but it is clearly apparent that in this clip that they are not really moving that fast. Need glasses?
Then would you like to disprove it? Your "examination" is nothing but your word. If the reel was being spun faster, then the ALL movements would be faster i.e. all the slow walking/circling, the brief pauses, but all those are normal speed. None were faster than normal. And before you say that it was just good editing, the level/quality of editing your claiming was used here didn't exist back then.
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so angry you replied twice eh? You can see the sped up parts BECAUSE of the footwork and especialy their body movements. It isn't sped up the entire time fool, look more towards the end when they are on the stair area and when they are stumbling about. You sir fail, and are obviously way too fond of this video to offer a viable non bias opinion. It may not have been intentional, but thats how most of these movies from that era are, spun up on occasion.
And you clearly don't understand that the level of editing your claiming is used here didn't exist when the movie was made. If I'm a fool, your a fucking moron.
I had noticed the "sped up" parts before and I had always wondered about them. I just watched them very closely and I do not think they were artificial but merely how the actors moved. I could be wrong but it really doesn't matter to me as to which way it is as I just love the fight.
@bedajo28 it actually is sped up, i'm not sure why, I think its inadvertent/unintended. I noticed the same with Captain Blood when it was dubbed for Spanish viewers.
Protip, to create the illusion of fast movement, especially during this era of filming, the film real is spun slower during filming, unless you are referring that they did speed ramping in post, which I am not sure if they really had the ability to do such during the time the film was made and it would result in waisting some film, which I'm sure studios were not so kind with as they are now with the cost of film reels.
Most unversities have clasical fencing courses, as well as competitive fencing teams. But you'll find as I did, it's not the same as on TV/movies. Alas...
You can. But it involves an element of risk, such as losing an eye or a finger.. Zorro fought Pasquale because it was WORTH IT. The build-up to this climax is one of the Cinema's finest achievements. For my money it's the best duel between good and evil -- the finest sword fight in Cinem history. The audience at the Stanford Theatre stood and cheered when Basil Rathbone gets skewered and hits the floor. Real actors. Real swords. This is as good as it gets.
He had the equivalent of a Masters or PhD in Fencing. Stated otherwise, he was damn good. No stunt doubles took his place in sword fights. He risked life and limb for he sport, and fr the art of the Cinema..
Perhaps the greatest sword fight in movie history is right..... I'd like to hear folks' nominations for other great sword fights in films I know Basil Rathbone is in at least ONE other one....
dont know but it looks slightly slighty speeded up but dont you jusyt love it when actors have the athletic ability to do theior own fight scenes especually sword fights
@scrubdacocci The only really undercranked (sped up) section is after Rathbone does that HUGE back-handed swipe. Starting from Rathbone's moulenet to his duck to the floor. Everything else looks to be at real speed.
You can do that when you're as good as these 2 were.
I can only guess the reason for the undercranking had to do with the tight confines Power was in for that sequence...allowing them to go a little more slowly during filming would be a safety angle.
What about Scaramouche,The princess bride,The duel in the Movie the Great Race was a parody of these old flics especially the Prinsoner of Zenda...Also three Musketeers with Gene Kelly
@ilBarbera FYI - Patia Powers, Tyrone's mother, was a woman's fencing champion in her state. Basil Rathbone listed fencing among his favorite recreations. My point is that this is a live match without special effects. Pretty Kewl huh?
this is awesome, way better then teh crappy swordfights they usually put out today in film, ive always wanted to learn how to fight liek this, old school..lol they do cheap fencing lessons at liek teh renfare but i dunno, fencing isnt as cool as real rapier/epee/sabre (btw i dont knwo teh difference) i think
They were trained by an olympic fencer, that's a difference. They were not professional olympic fencers as we now understand the term. Besides - sabre fencing was way different way then in the forties. There was no electric scoring - it still somewhat resembled actual swordfighting not the swatting we see today
Just to check: the bloke on the right- is it Basil Rathbone?
If so I recommend the movie"Captain Blood" with him, Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. I think there's a fight from it floating around on the sight ...
holy shit this is awesome! I really like the bits of humor added in, and His Excellency creeping around while they're fighting, haha. Diego is quite classy. I've never seen this version of Zorro, I want to check it out now!
Rathbone suffered two scratches on his forehead during its filming, and later said of Power, "He could fence Errol Flynn into a cocked hat."
Interestingly enough after three weeks training Danny Kaye actually surpassed Rathbone to the extent that while filming The Court Jester a double was used because Rathbone couldn't keep up!!
Well, yes, that's true, but realize that he was 65 at the time!
Christopher Lee was more than a match for anyone in Hollywood, too, when he filmed the Three Musketeers back in '75, but don't ask him to do it now! Not to disrespect Danny Kay, who was a very strong and athletic man -especially considering the parts he played- but it's no sport to stick a pensioner up against a man more than twenty years his junior. =)
To paraphrase Rathbone himself "irrespective of the age difference Danny had incredible reflexes and never had to be showed anything twice" - of course, Rathbone was 63 (iirc) at the time and I would imagine that despite his comments that his advanced years would have had some effect but its still high praise for Kay.
More to the point, this scene and the fight in Court Jester were filmed with sabres - not Rathbone's best weapon at all :)
This is by far the best "Zorro" movie ever made. Dashing Tyrone Power is superb as Don Diego de la Vega and the definitive "Zorro". His outstanding performance surpassed that of Douglas Fairbanks Sr. in 1920, who was great nonetheless, and (no offence ... Mr.Banderas) he's still unmatched.
As for the climax swordfight between Power and Rathbone, maybe it's the greatest movie fencing duel ever.
This sword duel is so amazing. Unlike a lot of other duels in movies, they actually look like they're trying to kill each other instead of just banging swords.
I could be wrong, but I think this was the only time in his career that Basil Rathbone got to be killed by someone who actually knew how to fence.
ReinhardtheBlue 2 days ago
This is my favorite swordfight in cinematic history.
I enjoy all of the notable Zorros, from Doug Fairbanks to Guy Williams, to Duncan Regehr, to Antonio Banderas...even Alain Delon. But Tyrone Power remains my absolute favorite incarnation of the character.
Basil Rathbone, of course, is one of the great heavies of film history, perfectly suited to a role like Pasquale.
And the choreography and staging are just wonderful for this scene. No matter how many times I see it, it always thrills me.
jamesoblivion 5 days ago
It's a shame that the swordfighting is so great. The sound design and synchronization on this is rather poor. But again, the technique to my eyes is flawless.
VideoMask93 1 week ago
Better than cgi
JapanAzn 3 weeks ago
Wow. This is how you stage a sword fight.
mbmhs 4 weeks ago
Obviously the swordfight itself is one for the ages, but Power's hardening of the face @1:22 deserves mad props too.
comraderaoul 4 weeks ago
Obviously the swordfighte
comraderaoul 4 weeks ago
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Excellent, the mid-battle talking is kept short and comes appropriate moments.
Brightgalrs 1 month ago
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Brightgalrs 1 month ago
sword duel in past much more interesting than these they.Cause they put their life on it, so mistake is unforgivable
danny90099 1 month ago
@danny90099 "day" my mistake
danny90099 1 month ago
I don't know why, but this looks SO much better than the colorized version.
TieLandProductions 1 month ago
proper sword fighting that!!! dnt make them like that anymore!!
Geordieboy83 1 month ago
Wow. That's the first movie-duel I've seen in a long time, where they actually look like they're trying to kill eachother.
Entertekken 1 month ago
fred cavens choreaphed the duel if thats how you spell it sorry.he also did captain blood 1935 and adventures of robin hood 1938 but i think his son albert cavens did the back shots of ty power during the duel and ty did his own fencing in closeups
elchoya100 2 months ago
Tyrone Power looks like a handsome version of Adam Carolla.
poolboyinla 2 months ago
You are very correct. In fact, if reports are true, Rathbone didn't take fencing seriouly until "Captain Blood." But Tyronne Power (Jr. I note) certainly gave him a run for his money. Let's all just enjoy the movie and watch our fat wives and childrren and vinards grow.
grabit1 2 months ago
@grabit1 and on top of that, forgive and forget my misspellings.
grabit1 2 months ago
Wow...I would've loved to have been there when they were filming this. Tyrone and Basil, master swordsmen each.
janeyrevanescence12 2 months ago
I wish modern films were even half this entertaining. Keep your silly wire work stunts and grandstanding orchestral scores. This is far more enjoyable; both the acting and the swordplay.
EricWolfborn 3 months ago
nice!!
pureintellectual 3 months ago
They don't make em like this anymore. These days, the swords would be digital.
Lassannn 3 months ago 3
Well the star wars films had the guy who worked with Douglas fairbanks and taught the actors and was a stunt double for darth vader
diginut96 4 months ago
If only they got these guys to be in the old star wars films. Honestly no matter what anyone says about how good the old star wars were....the fights did suck. Now get these people there or at least there to teach the actors to fight then u got a great action scene.
comixgod50 5 months ago
@comixgod50 Those scenes were about emotion and the characters and not about the cool fighting. The fights needed to have feeling and raw emotion as they did and not be about the action itself.
Hamhark98 3 months ago
this is the greatest sword fight in all filmdon. basil rathbone was indeed a sword master and taught tyron how to fence. if you look at the scene just before tyron is pushed up to the wall and says i needed that scratch to awaken me you'll see just how intense rathbones fencing is. He is really trying to best tyone in the fencing test. what a scene, what a scene. Thank you Mr. Power and Mr. Rathbone. James
ultimatesilverscreen 5 months ago
As everyone knew that Tyrone Power was an excellent fencer .It is also true that he unfortunately suffered a Heart Attack & died while practicing a sword fight scene in "Soloman and Sheba" starring Gina Lollobrigida . He was then replaced by Yul Brynner. I'm quite sure there is probably footage somewhere in the studio vaults hidden away never to be seen of the actual rehearsel. I believe Basil Rathbone did state on the Mike Douglas Show that the greatest hand speed with a blade was Danny Kaye.
Dakers11 6 months ago
The great Hollywood swordsman, Basil Rathbone, who starred with him in The Mark of Zorro, commented, "Power was the most agile man with a sword I’ve ever faced before a camera. Tyrone could have fenced Errol Flynn into a cocked hat."
And to add: Basil Rathbone was the British Army Fencing Champion -- when swordfighting was still a deadly skill for a soldier; and that put him right at the Olympic level.
Consider also that Tyrone Power was 22 years younger than him when they filmed this.
Flipmignon100 6 months ago 2
Nice fight. I saw little, if any Flynning.
SAMASzero 6 months ago
3 are pasquale`s fans
Madureirarsrsrsrsrsr 7 months ago
What do you call this type of sword fighting?
Nawaz101 7 months ago
@Nawaz101 I think it`s fencing, or something like that...
Madureirarsrsrsrsrsr 7 months ago
@Nawaz101 It's Saber fencing.
h2750n 6 months ago
@Nawaz101 Sabre fencing. They are fencing with practice sabres, which were based on dueling sabres.
MrPotatoesLatkie 4 months ago
This is waaaaaaaaay sped up. Rathbone sounds like Buggs Freakin' Bunny.
LazlosPlane 8 months ago
Fantastic scene. Lacks perhaps the style and charm of The Princess Bride, but it more than makes up for it with the skill of the fighters. The impact of the sword strokes and long, restrained takes are very much appreciated in an age where such conflicts are shot frantically and drenched in CGI.
SlamDunkStudios 8 months ago 4
Basil Rathbone went on here and clicked dislike three times.
Dangerbil102 8 months ago 2
Let's see Obi Wan or Anakin do this shit.
Lassannn 9 months ago 13
Do you tire DeAgo?
Oh dear yes! You said this would be quick what the hell happened?
I needed that scratch to awaken me!
Red bull no waking you up fast enough? Five hour not lasting long enough?
Try new sword scratch!
Coffeextreme 9 months ago
Good fun.But the best fencer in the golden age of Hollywood was Cornel Wilde, who qualified for the 1936 Olympic team but took up acting. You can see his footwork and hand speed were on a totally different level. Strange how no one thought to cast him as Zorro.
mocrg 9 months ago
Wow...I mean..Whoa...I was blown away by that mad fencing!I mean...look at that movement!Man,you don't see that kind of action anymore.
MrVampboy93 11 months ago
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so gay and stupid looking
LibertyWaxlips 1 year ago
@LibertyWaxlips Fuck off, profligate.
CaptainCarrion 1 year ago
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@CaptainCarrion Suck my dick you little moral judge.
LibertyWaxlips 1 year ago
@CaptainCarrion ahaha nice
TheBlitz1 11 months ago
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CinemaMusic55 1 year ago
Basil sure looks good in those white pants.
nikiforrest 1 year ago
@tptho7m I'd agree, except your use of quotes changed the meaning of your quote completely.
warpticon 1 year ago
You don't see sword fights like that anymore. You can't fake that sound of steel on steel.
Hendar23 1 year ago
"You wouldn't care to translate that feeling into action, would you?"
avojaifnot 1 year ago 3
I must agree to most viewers. Incredible fencing/saber match in moviedom. I'll take these type of fights over special effects any time. Note: Princess Bride, Court Jester(for comedy) get my heart racing.
starked1 1 year ago 2
This is one of the all-time greatest fencing scenes. Tyrone Power and Basil Rathbone are brilliant together in The Mark of Zorro. Zorro fans should also check out the new full-cast audio drama version of The Mark of Zorro starring Val Kilmer when it's released by Blackstone Audio on April 1, 2011.
furstone1 1 year ago
2 Popinjays disliked this video.
HundKaiser 1 year ago
fucking amazing. i can't imagine a more realistic sword-fight being filmed today. the fight scenes today looked choreographed, this looks unbelievably real.
jamoe007 1 year ago 3
Can you cut with those swords or only stab?
baggedyman 1 year ago
@baggedyman
They're sabers, so you can cut with them, the edge is sharp.
ViperLord21 1 year ago
@ViperLord21 Can you only cut with the tip?
baggedyman 1 year ago
Check the IMDB pages for both the film and Faulkner. Apparently, YouTube doesn't allow links.
drsteerforth 1 year ago
Homfencing, kindly do your homework before twisting history; you are so wrong. Rathbone was an expert swordsman, and after he retired from Hollywood, he gave speeches at universities and the like. He often talked about his fencing skills and said that he could have dispatched his opponents to the hereafter without difficulty.
drsteerforth 1 year ago 5
Homfencing, must agree with drsteerforth, there are many documentaries on Basil Rathbones which emphasize his mastery of swordplay and it shows, this is pretty well known to Basil's hardcore fans, and although also an admirer of Mr. Faulkners work a master in his own right he had nothing to do with The Mark of Zorro as far as credits show. There was a double for Tyrone Power in this classic scene.
VigoronConYucca 1 year ago
@VigoronConYucca For insurance and safety purposes, Tyrone Power had an over-the-shoulder 'double' for parts of this sequence---probably Fred Cavens, who was Hollywood's leading sword-master and instructor. (He may also have doubled Rathbone in some of Power's close-up shots---hard to be sure, thanks to some VERY good film editing.)
jrcadet4 3 months ago
@jrcadet4
It may shock you to know that I know who Fred Cavens was--kind of a Yakima Canutt (did I spell that right?) of the sword. But you are correct that even 70+ years ago, the insurance companies controlled things. Sounds like complete games in baseball today. 15 million, but six innings is the limit.
At least Tyronne and Basil were good enough to make it look good.
grabit1 2 months ago
@drsteerforth Rathbone was also 15 years older when "The Court Jester" was shot. He was around 48 years old for "Mark of Zorro"....63 for " Court Jester." A lot can happen when you get into your 60s....like slowing down. No matter what he might've thought, he was likely not the same fencer he was in 1940. Explain why his face is never seen during the actual "Jester" fighting...Faulkner's doubling him.
homfencing 1 year ago
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@homfencing You said nothing about "The Court Jester". I cannot dispute that. What you said was:
"That double for Rathbone was the legendary Ralph Faulkner....who was the swordmaster on that shoot."
drsteerforth 1 year ago
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drsteerforth 1 year ago
LIKE LIGHTNING !! Oh my gawd,,My favorite sword fight ever...
kayele 1 year ago
EPICNESS
kayele 1 year ago
2 masters, in the day when actors formally trained in fencing, and not just stage combat. Amazing work.
joelzenny 1 year ago 3
The Captain sure got the point of the argument.
Ceaaa22 1 year ago 16
@Ceaaa22 BOO!!!! lol.
vexxez 1 year ago
@Ceaaa22
Too bad he wasn't around long enough for it to sink in.
grabit1 2 months ago
@grabit1 ...Touché.
hersheyhole 1 month ago
Pause at 4:09! He looks like Salvador Dali.
Mangkukutod 1 year ago
While my personal favourite swordfight is still The Adventures of Robin Hood, this is almost certainly the best ever filmed. Both actors clearly knew what they were doing with a sword and it's yet another great scene from a wonderfully entertaining movie.
dafmurray 1 year ago
Hot damn that was some great stuff.
melosebrainuhoh 1 year ago
truly an epic battle. and amazing without a powerful score or effects, just the song of clashing blades...
DJglasgowSon 1 year ago
I just like this magnifficent fencing scene! Two masters at work. Nevertheless, I'd like to see that Rathbone wins a match for only one time, because he's the best! Instead he always dies... :(
holmesfever 1 year ago
@holmesfever Look up 'Romeo and Juliet' from 1936. the one and only time that Basil Rathbone won a sword fight while playing the bad guy.
SgtSplatter782 1 year ago
@SgtSplatter782
Thank you very much for your advice! Of course, I'll watch it! :) :) :) :) :)
holmesfever 1 year ago
no quick cuts and bullshit shaky cam close ups, just skills.
geekboyII 1 year ago 4
I must confess, I am a simple man. As such, I derive pleasure from simple things - an impossibly good fighting scene between quite talented opponents, such as this, is one of them :)
NatharielGraven 1 year ago 3
Yeah, showing that Z on the wall was the icing on the cake. After that swordfight, the cat was out of the bag... or in this case, the fox.
Cyberstorm8 1 year ago 3
I consider this to be the finest sword fight in filmdom history. Don't know too much about Power, but Basil Rathbone was a top rated swordsman, and he spoke at a college near where I was living in the 1960's. He claimed that he could have dispatched all his opponents in short time!
drsteerforth 1 year ago
It's almost like you can feel the difference watching this, with two genuine masters going at it, then some of the stuff you see in today's movies.
Hawk8777 1 year ago
there's nothing quite like the sight of two extraordinary masters - in both acting and fencing. absolutely wonderful!
ohmagaod 1 year ago
and this video is proof of how no amount of choreographed waving of swords can replace the sight of two people filmed who know exactly what they're doing.
IlStefan 1 year ago 4
@IlStefan
Amen to that. This was actually gripping and exciting. I haven't seen the movie, but it looks impressive!
WarLordSquerk 6 months ago
Outstanding!
Kilaknux 1 year ago
Basil Rathbone rules! Great scene!
TheologyMuttErrors 1 year ago
Oh no!
incomingohno 1 year ago
Had no idea Rathbone was so accomplished at fencing...timeless, classic scene!
rocketguy2 1 year ago
@rocketguy2 Actually, i've heard that Basil was considered one of the best swordsmen in Hollywood at the time. I can believe it, having seen him play the lead villian in many a classic swashbuckler. This does rank as one of his better ones in my opinion though
Jourell1 1 year ago 3
Amazing duel. Just ask any modern actor to try and do this.
themailman43 1 year ago 4
ah the good old day! When all you had to rely on was your own witt, talent and skill to act! Not traning in the gym and get a six-pack! The good old days when fencing, dancing and horse riding were all part of an actors training and education. Man that most have been awesome!
dkswede 1 year ago 5
lol.. black & White Movies.. .. they should really show more of theses on tv...
including the horror, such as the original ''The Wolfman'' and Frankenstein movies.. plus Lorrel and Hardy, and Young Frankenstein...
PsychopathicKnees 1 year ago 4
@tptho7m I didn't misunderstand. I was just trying ot let you know in case others did.
AngelusDlion 1 year ago
@tptho7m You realize that quotation marks like that usually denote sarcasm right? Just saying.
AngelusDlion 1 year ago
IF YOU TAKE ONE PISS
NESfanboi 1 year ago
WOW! Great sword fight!
GOBRAGH2 1 year ago 4
@tptho7m Thank YOU For This Video Share T ) I Really Like It And As YOU Said Fantastic !!!! Video And FiLm
SugarCandyCherryKiss 1 year ago 13
Ho. Ly. Shit.
jonnosferatu 1 year ago 6
DAY-om. That was epic.
Am I the only one who wishes that Basil Rathbone had gotten to win more screen swordfights? That man was the COOLEST.
FlippinBooks 1 year ago 5
I like the version in black and white. When colored, some of the authenticness is taken away...
dangkoen 1 year ago 3
Damn!!! That was amazing! Is this version of Zorro on Youtube?
residentwriter 1 year ago
What a great scene!
Garboth 2 years ago 2
I don't think whether it is sped up or not is really an issue. Either way, the movements were sound, they look good, and these men are actors. If they were fencers committed to their art, after a number of years they would achieve that level of speed anyway.
Aelle2000 2 years ago
Both Power and Rathbone were expert fencers in real life. The fight is not sped-up.
CountArtha 2 years ago 7
@CountArtha it actually is sped up, i'm not sure why, I think its inadvertent/unintended. I noticed the same with Captain Blood when it was dubbed for Spanish viewers.
TheBlitz1 1 year ago
@TheBlitz1 Different frame rate, maybe?
CountArtha 1 year ago
The only thing faked in this scene was the candle being cut perfectly. Everything else is done the old fashioned way.
UserDirk580 2 years ago
simply amazing...i love this kind of swordfight
arafett745 2 years ago 3
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The reel is being spun faster than it should, they aren't really moving that fast and they look like jittery insects. Still entertaining for an oldy though.
LordFelren 2 years ago
Clearly you'v never done fencing or actually seen it done.
TriSixshot 2 years ago
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Wrong on both accounts. I never said it was fake, but if you don't notice that the real is being spun too fast there is something wrong with you. Fencing is a fast sword style, naturally, that was developed due to the extinction of heavy armor - but it is clearly apparent that in this clip that they are not really moving that fast. Need glasses?
LordFelren 2 years ago
Then would you like to disprove it? Your "examination" is nothing but your word. If the reel was being spun faster, then the ALL movements would be faster i.e. all the slow walking/circling, the brief pauses, but all those are normal speed. None were faster than normal. And before you say that it was just good editing, the level/quality of editing your claiming was used here didn't exist back then.
TriSixshot 2 years ago
Your argument is bad, your reasoning is flawed, and you have no proof. Good day to you.
TriSixshot 2 years ago
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so angry you replied twice eh? You can see the sped up parts BECAUSE of the footwork and especialy their body movements. It isn't sped up the entire time fool, look more towards the end when they are on the stair area and when they are stumbling about. You sir fail, and are obviously way too fond of this video to offer a viable non bias opinion. It may not have been intentional, but thats how most of these movies from that era are, spun up on occasion.
LordFelren 2 years ago
And you clearly don't understand that the level of editing your claiming is used here didn't exist when the movie was made. If I'm a fool, your a fucking moron.
TriSixshot 2 years ago
I had noticed the "sped up" parts before and I had always wondered about them. I just watched them very closely and I do not think they were artificial but merely how the actors moved. I could be wrong but it really doesn't matter to me as to which way it is as I just love the fight.
bedajo28 2 years ago
@bedajo28 it actually is sped up, i'm not sure why, I think its inadvertent/unintended. I noticed the same with Captain Blood when it was dubbed for Spanish viewers.
TheBlitz1 1 year ago
@LordFelren I humbly concur with your opinion.
TheBlitz1 1 year ago
@LordFelren
Protip, to create the illusion of fast movement, especially during this era of filming, the film real is spun slower during filming, unless you are referring that they did speed ramping in post, which I am not sure if they really had the ability to do such during the time the film was made and it would result in waisting some film, which I'm sure studios were not so kind with as they are now with the cost of film reels.
Steakslim 2 years ago
They don't make em like that anymore. I wanna learn to fence now.
Lassann 2 years ago 2
They knew how to fight with class back in those days. I wish i could learn how to fight like that.
mexicangamer7 2 years ago
Most unversities have clasical fencing courses, as well as competitive fencing teams. But you'll find as I did, it's not the same as on TV/movies. Alas...
takomaguy 2 years ago
You can. But it involves an element of risk, such as losing an eye or a finger.. Zorro fought Pasquale because it was WORTH IT. The build-up to this climax is one of the Cinema's finest achievements. For my money it's the best duel between good and evil -- the finest sword fight in Cinem history. The audience at the Stanford Theatre stood and cheered when Basil Rathbone gets skewered and hits the floor. Real actors. Real swords. This is as good as it gets.
KENZOWAL 2 years ago 5
Wow!!! what a way of fighting!!!!
SeranAki 2 years ago 2
Basil Rathbone was one of the greatest..
wwood14 2 years ago 7
He had the equivalent of a Masters or PhD in Fencing. Stated otherwise, he was damn good. No stunt doubles took his place in sword fights. He risked life and limb for he sport, and fr the art of the Cinema..
KENZOWAL 2 years ago 2
Certainly one of the best sword fights in movie history. I think it's between this and the climactic fight in Scaramouch.
Somebody should post the scene right after this when the governor figures out Diego is Zorro.
leafyutube 2 years ago
Brilliant! The very best .. it is relentlessly energetic and gripping.
saxondog2001 2 years ago
Perhaps the greatest sword fight in movie history is right..... I'd like to hear folks' nominations for other great sword fights in films I know Basil Rathbone is in at least ONE other one....
scrubdacocci 2 years ago 4
Here's another good one: Type in search, Rob Roy swordfight.
podgornia 2 years ago
@scrubdacocci Captain Blood wasn't it?
TheBlitz1 1 year ago
I might be tempted "if i had a weapon"
classic!
Shiftyeyes516 2 years ago
Dear mother of God! Was that in real time or did they use fast motion in post-production?
uuumdm 2 years ago
dont know but it looks slightly slighty speeded up but dont you jusyt love it when actors have the athletic ability to do theior own fight scenes especually sword fights
scrubdacocci 2 years ago
@scrubdacocci The only really undercranked (sped up) section is after Rathbone does that HUGE back-handed swipe. Starting from Rathbone's moulenet to his duck to the floor. Everything else looks to be at real speed.
You can do that when you're as good as these 2 were.
I can only guess the reason for the undercranking had to do with the tight confines Power was in for that sequence...allowing them to go a little more slowly during filming would be a safety angle.
homfencing 1 year ago
one of the most famous fight scenes in cinematic history...period!
nythawk81 2 years ago 3
I don't know about famous but it IS the best.
uuumdm 2 years ago
What about Scaramouche,The princess bride,The duel in the Movie the Great Race was a parody of these old flics especially the Prinsoner of Zenda...Also three Musketeers with Gene Kelly
mervrun 2 years ago
I don't remember the Three Musketeers well enough to judge that. The other two, I saw, and loved, but I still like this better.
uuumdm 2 years ago
makes the modern sword fights e.g. attack of the clones, look rather pale and boring by comparison
grippindik 2 years ago 5
Epic battle.
IddyB 2 years ago 2
I don't know much about this movie, so correct me if i'm wrong, but it looks like a clear case of TALENT > SPECIAL EFFECTS
ilBarbera 2 years ago 35
@ilBarbera Actually, both actors were fencers and knew what they were doing.
vadergirl40 1 year ago 2
@ilBarbera FYI - Patia Powers, Tyrone's mother, was a woman's fencing champion in her state. Basil Rathbone listed fencing among his favorite recreations. My point is that this is a live match without special effects. Pretty Kewl huh?
paul4opus 1 year ago
this is awesome, way better then teh crappy swordfights they usually put out today in film, ive always wanted to learn how to fight liek this, old school..lol they do cheap fencing lessons at liek teh renfare but i dunno, fencing isnt as cool as real rapier/epee/sabre (btw i dont knwo teh difference) i think
AirPsychic 2 years ago
You can learn sabre also, but start with foil to learn the basics.
amberb57 2 years ago
I saw this at school and I was like Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmnn!! o.O lol
saradominsside23 2 years ago
Oh my God! What a great fencing scene! Thanks for posting it!!!
leuchtfeuer1 2 years ago 3
he is father the Romina power
wgalviz 2 years ago
the best sword fight hollywood ever filmed.
sev773 2 years ago 10
Great fencing scene!
BXGUY73 3 years ago
now this is fencing, what they are doing in the olympics is just faggotry.
BlueCrystalGem 3 years ago
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THEG0DDAMNBATMAN 3 years ago 7
They were trained by an olympic fencer, that's a difference. They were not professional olympic fencers as we now understand the term. Besides - sabre fencing was way different way then in the forties. There was no electric scoring - it still somewhat resembled actual swordfighting not the swatting we see today
jbujko 2 years ago 2
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cth1729 3 years ago
Awesome beyond words.
pantirachan 3 years ago 3
Just to check: the bloke on the right- is it Basil Rathbone?
If so I recommend the movie"Captain Blood" with him, Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. I think there's a fight from it floating around on the sight ...
EireGoon 3 years ago
yes
deckman92 3 years ago
holy shit this is awesome! I really like the bits of humor added in, and His Excellency creeping around while they're fighting, haha. Diego is quite classy. I've never seen this version of Zorro, I want to check it out now!
theultimateotaku 3 years ago
Bad - no Korngold! Good - you can hear the blades. Boy, you really get to see just how good Rathbone's technique is...and Power is no slob!
thewomandirector 3 years ago
Indeed, and to quote Wiki on the subject:
Rathbone suffered two scratches on his forehead during its filming, and later said of Power, "He could fence Errol Flynn into a cocked hat."
Interestingly enough after three weeks training Danny Kaye actually surpassed Rathbone to the extent that while filming The Court Jester a double was used because Rathbone couldn't keep up!!
Still an outstanding fencer and actor.
MercutioUK2006 3 years ago
Well, yes, that's true, but realize that he was 65 at the time!
Christopher Lee was more than a match for anyone in Hollywood, too, when he filmed the Three Musketeers back in '75, but don't ask him to do it now! Not to disrespect Danny Kay, who was a very strong and athletic man -especially considering the parts he played- but it's no sport to stick a pensioner up against a man more than twenty years his junior. =)
Destichado 3 years ago
To paraphrase Rathbone himself "irrespective of the age difference Danny had incredible reflexes and never had to be showed anything twice" - of course, Rathbone was 63 (iirc) at the time and I would imagine that despite his comments that his advanced years would have had some effect but its still high praise for Kay.
More to the point, this scene and the fight in Court Jester were filmed with sabres - not Rathbone's best weapon at all :)
MercutioUK2006 3 years ago
@MercutioUK2006 That double for Rathbone was the legendary Ralph Faulkner....who was the swordmaster on that shoot.
homfencing 1 year ago
Best. Movie. Swordfight. Ever.
AndiJF 3 years ago 4
Oh, and just in case no one has said it yet...
PWNED at 4:33!
masterbuilder2009 3 years ago 3
You know...
Most people think that good choreography is a really new innovation.
This proves otherwise.
Great vid!
masterbuilder2009 3 years ago
Man, they don't do fights like this anymore.
palasta 3 years ago 3
This movie is the ultimate classic. I love it. Thnk dn't make movies like this anymore. That Tyrone Power was an excellent actor
schs19947 3 years ago 3
I love this scene! Were does he chop the candel in half? I don't see him do it.
Aelpie 3 years ago
This is by far the best "Zorro" movie ever made. Dashing Tyrone Power is superb as Don Diego de la Vega and the definitive "Zorro". His outstanding performance surpassed that of Douglas Fairbanks Sr. in 1920, who was great nonetheless, and (no offence ... Mr.Banderas) he's still unmatched.
As for the climax swordfight between Power and Rathbone, maybe it's the greatest movie fencing duel ever.
nicolaos777 3 years ago 3
This sword duel is so amazing. Unlike a lot of other duels in movies, they actually look like they're trying to kill each other instead of just banging swords.
JetConvoy 3 years ago 5
Suggestion for sword-fight aficionados, check these out: SCARAMOUCHE, ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN (Errol Flynn), THE COURT JESTER
edsnantonio 3 years ago