Duel from Mark of Zorro (1940) (plot spoilers)

[1962HILTON]

Check out SCARAMOUCHE.

[1962HILTON]

The motion has been acelerated in some parts, but is still a great scene played for two great actors AND athletes.

[ancalites]

Damn they're fast.

[Ratama]

hard core.

[kaih8941]

First time I ever saw this - that was pretty fucking sweet indeed!

[elchoya100]

next to errol flynn ,ty power was the most dashing actor of his day 

[FieryArtemis]

For some reason I always forget just how intense this fight is. It's pretty freaking sweet.

[zedman321]

I never fail to enjoy this clip. Always a joy to watch a superb display of fencing movie genious!

[HunterstonB]

Another note - Basil Rathbone said the most talented Swordsman he ever met was Danny Kaye, Rathbone was astonished at the speed at which he learned fencing.

[Shindai]

@HunterstonB Says a lot about Rathbone's skill that he could avoid getting skewered when Danny Kaye was flailing about lol. Pretty cool to see him up against the legend of Rathbone though, that was an awesome scene :)

[HunterstonB]

Basil Rathbone was an international level competion fencer. Tyrone Powers mother was a fencing coach. He was good, but not in the same class as Rathbone. A stunt double, who was an Olympic competitor was used to replace Tyrone Powers for the scene's when Powers has his back to the camera. Notice the change in speed from when Powers has his back to the camera and is facing it.

[SLPIFan]

Great movie, and great duel. I kinda wish we got to see Power do this as Zorro himself but all the same this is a great scene.

[Weaponsuser]

During the coach screen where Power takes the money and jewels. Power cuts the "Z" in the coach seat back. During ONE film take , he cuts the "Z" and J.Edward Bloomberg, Don Luis Quintero , says instead of" Zorro", the says "Zanuck" for the "Z", knowing Power was pissed off, ruining the shot.

because the day before Zanuck lowered the temp on Power's personal swimming pool.

to which Powers said" let that be a lesson to him, dammit", saying to Zanuck, don't fuck with my pool!

[Shindai]

@Weaponsuser lmao that's awesome! Where did you learn that?

[Weaponsuser]

@Shindai its was from a show called thats hollywood made in the 70's.

where i heard the story.

[poolboyinla]

I have never seen this in color before.

[the60sKid]

Sword fights in movies today have no style. class or grace. Just a bunch of 3D effects and Asian stunt wire work.

[missprincessiris]

@the60sKid

I am Asian, but I hate wire work, too.

[the60sKid]

@missprincessiris It's the fact that they RELY on it SO much when it really doesn't need it. It's a laziness and lack of vision of the director. Just like overuse of CGI and super quick cuts over and over. Storytelling on film is a dying art and the film industry is in the hands of lots of hacks.

[KunoichiBlackRose]

I love how they actually know what they're doing. At least, they seem to be. :)

[ComptonII]

This is an awesome sword battle. Timeless. I'm kind of into the dialogue also....its hilarious but still cool

[kashiichan]

This is one of the best swordfights in movie history. Plus this version of Diego was just hilarious.

[KorAnos1]

This and the final duel from Rob Roy are unarguably two of the best in film history.

[bluworm]

An action scene today is edited to death. You have no idea of what's going on. In order to enjoy the skill of the performers and the choreography you have to look at the DVD extras, if something's been caught by the documentary camera. 

[kytodd]

If I were a stunt coordinator or a fight choreographer today I would be embarrassed with the stuff that's out today. They should all watch this sequence as a requirement before getting a gig on a movie.

[Shindai]

@kytodd I choreograph as a hobby, and I agree with what you said. I dunno why movies these days ignore what made fight scenes so great as long ago as 1940!

[kytodd]

@Shindai Thanks. I think the thing that frustrates me the most is when there's a talented cast, and a talented choreographer, the camera moves so much and there's so many cuts that it's hard to enjoy the scene anyway.

[leopurpleman]

@kytodd

i agreed, this fight is so awesome!...

[AnotherSchmoe]

2 people's blades are not so firm.

[Virini]

haha, they did the same candle thing in the Court Jester

[errolfan]

Basil Rathbone may have been the best swordsman in Hollywood, but Tyrone Power was the quickest understudy.

[joecoyote42]

These guys were just brilliant.

[gijoekfg1969]

I Believe Basil Rathbone was a European fencing champion in his youth. The only reason he looses in all his movies is because he almost always played the bad guy (Sherlock Holmes the exception) and the bad evil men are always suppose to loose right? Hear that U.S. Congress & Senate please all drop dead your evil Lol.

[AikiJoKen]

Basil was a highly skilled swordman who saw action in WW1 and was awarded the Military Cross. But he only ever won a swordfight on screen once - in Romeo and Juliet (1936) - before he was typecast as a villian. In his later years in his one-man-show he would quip 'Of course, I could have killed Errol Flynn any time I lked ...'

[hemming57]

Old Bas' could hold his own considering Tyrone Power was half his age.

[NicosPourpourakis]

Basil Rathbone is #1 in my book.

[cotillion]

This sword fight is 70 years old.

It could be put in the Matrix, the Lord of the Rings or any current action movie and be just as awesome today as it was back then.

Directors take note... this is how you do a duel... no music, just two people throwing down for their lives.

[NicosPourpourakis]

@cotillion I totally agree with your comment. This is a wonderful depiction of talent and skill.

[Rommel555]

Badass!!!!!

[nanski33]

Tyrone Power is awsome Zorro. But I like Guy Williams best! :)

[Elchikodelgas]

I have this movie in my computer, Tyrone Power is the best zorro ever

[Axgoodofdunemaul]

A friend of mine who was an expert fencer told me this was the best duel in any movie.

[flutinet]

Basil Rathbone is a champion fencer, and he said that he hated playing the bad guy in movies, because that means he always loses the duel

[melosebrainuhoh]

Basil Rathbone might always be on the losing end of fights, but he's still a total badass. One of the best villains ever.

[RoronoaEmi]

I love this duel. The swordplay is fast-paced and the banter witty. A great scene to a wonderful movie.

[HunterstonB]

It's a fascinating video. Tyrone Power was a competent fencer, Basil Rathbone the British Army champion.

Although Power could fence (his mother was a fencing coach) - he was not an expert, Rathbone was.

Notice the difference in speed between when Power is facing the camera and when he has his back to it. A top level competion swordsman did the stunt doubling for the fast stuff.

[mickfoil]

@HunterstonB You're right - Powers was doubled by Albert Cavens, son of Fred Cavens, the fencing master who choreographed this duel and many, many more.

[CaptEoNinja83]

Basil: one of the greatest fencers in hollywood in the most INTENSE swordfight ever!!! How am I supposed to root for Tyrone when Basil rules so hard?!?!

[DarthPraxus27]

It's so refreshing to see actual fencing in a film fight, instead of all that twirling around.

[Leftysfive93]

@3:24, El Capitan was thinking, " Sacre Bleu! That deadly poke of Zorro!"

[wilmotofrochester]

The best swordfight i have ever seen in cinema! Amazing!

[toicannon]

Tyrone Power mother was a fencing champion so he could handled the blade as well as Basil!!!

[Bonecrusher27WTF]

How delightful to know my favourite Sherlock Holmes was also such an accomplished swordsman. This was really a lightning quick fight, and doesn't look speeded up. You'd think things would have advanced nowand yet few fight scenes today can compare.

[Ear4Beauty]

Compare this with the sword fight in Scaromouch.

[edgardusXII]

Perhaps the best Sabre lunge of all time: cinema or in real life.

[MissPouLou]

Amazing!

[demboys18]

"Ah, the Capt.'s blade is not so firm."

"Still firm enoug to- HEY!"

[kranktank]

were they out of bullets?

[Shindai]

@kranktank Does it look like there were guns to hand?

[kranktank]

@Shindai old joke from batman the animated series..."why don't you just shoot him?"

[FleetAdmiralHog]

@Shindai The guards that come in have guns, so they were available. But that's beside the point, because fighting over a matter of honor isn't something where you just murder the other person.

[IainMcfly]

was wondering if anyone has a link or know of a movie that Basil wins

~ he is so brilliant with a blade ~

but know I have seen him bettered by Errol twice and now tyrone would like to see him standing haha

[Shindai]

@IainMcfly If I find one I'll be sure to upload it, I've been looking for one as well lol. Hell even Danny Kaye put him down. There must be SOME movie where he kicks bum

[dash562]

@Shindai there's Romeo & Juliet (1936), he played Tybalt and was nominated for best supporting actor in that film. He was also one of the first actors to play Sherlock Holmes.

[AngryDave113]

@Shindai I think he's only won one duel, in Romeo and Juliet.

[kytodd]

@Shindai Ahh, Court Jester! Another classic. A wonderful time with wonderfully talented actors

[JamesDAmadan]

@IainMcfly Rathbone played Tybalt in the 1936 Romeo & Juliet. He beat Mercutio (John Barrymore) befoe being killed by Romeo (Leslie Howard)

[homfencing]

@IainMcfly Rathbone only won one on stage fight that I'm aware of....he played the bad guy frequently.

[CanadianKeiffer]

@IainMcfly Basil Rathbone was European Fencing Champion for quite awhile.

[IainMcfly]

@CanadianKeiffer So he was a bad ass Mo Fo in the most Civilized sense haha

[DOMuricu]

@IainMcfly Rathbone won his first screen duel in the 1935 Norma Shearer version of Romeo & Juliet, for which he was also Oscar Nominated as Best Supporting Actor. There are a couple of very brief clips from this in the YouTube video 'The Golden Age of Swashbuckling'.

[WestTexasViking]

@IainMcfly I love rathbone, the weird thing is that he was actually always a better swordsman than Flynn, who only acted the part, and never officially studied fencing. read Richard Cohen's By The Sword. Its really intresting.

[theScytheofGod]

I'm amazed at Basil's physicality, he really looks like he know what the hell he's doing.

[thedrknghtno1]

Who ever thought the man who played Sherlock Holmes in radio and in movies had skills like this.....

[Impowers]

Rathbone always insisted that Power was the best screen swordsman with whom he ever worked, which has never been in dispute. This is certainly the best swordfighting sequence of the sound era.

[dangkoen]

@Impowers And possibly the best ever..

[mortalkombat32139]

haha thats a good effort Capitan

my next will be better my fancy clown

haha classic movie lines you gotta love em!!!

[jerrymosenson100]

This movie goes without saying that they just don't make movies like they used to. Mark Of Zorro has been a favorite of mine for over 5o years! It is definitley one of my all time favorite movies of early screen.

[nefersguy]

Remarkable, just remarkable!

[errolfan]

Talk about coincidence. Just after you stab the villain, a picture falls down in the very same spot, revealing the hero's trademark. Just think about the advertising possibilities...

[SecretFilms]

Amazing to watch.

Of course they have sped up the film in some of the wider shots but that in no way detracts from these guys' skills as swordsmen. I think it's Basil's best sword scene ever - thanks for posting!

[Shindai]

@SecretFilms You're most welcome, greatness such as this ought be shared :) Thanks for the comment and the video response

[Prod1Kh]

First saw it when I was 13 years old and in hospital.

Was very happy when Martin Campbell made Mask of Zorro pretty much a sequel to this (ignoring, of course, the unmasking at the end) with duels basically to match.

This is still the best classic duel put on film by Hollywood.

[ShifferAdams]

Legendary Duel!!! One of the best swashbuckler's Movie ... It was colorized in this version ... In the final duel sequence there is another version with musical accompaniment ... the original Alfred Newman's soundtrack. The name of the Captain is Pasquale Esteban, but I don't if this one has changed in other international version that was doubled ...

[haveajerk]

It is my impression or they are just clashing their swords instead of trying to stab each other, as the real deal should be?

[Shindai]

@haveajerk Tis the downside of movie fighting, in the interests of safety, especially I find with fencing movies (The Princess Bride is guilty of it as well sadly), the fighters are actually well out of range of each other's swords, so it's all about the aesthetic. Which is beautiful but does spoil it sometimes. Tis why books are better :p

[CDeanWatcher]

@Shindai Not at all. Duellists always stay out of the range of each other's swords when there are sharp points, rather than the buttons of modern swords. They stay at "fencing distance" - the absolute distance it takes each of them to lunge and hit the other. Then, they do all the sword clashing etc,, like chess, to get the other fellow out of position, giving them time to try a lunge for a hit.

[Shindai]

@CDeanWatcher Well I's learned something :) I've watched choreography tutorial vids and such that say you always stay just out of range for safety. Thanks for the correction.

[hellzanetruesdale]

@Shindai that's true but the fact that this duel was made with only 2 scratches on rathbone's forehead shows how skilled they both are.

[toleodor]

@haveajerk A bit of both. Fencing has a lot of fake outs in it since you are both moving so fast. They are taught to think 5 moves in advance so you continue to keep yourself safe until the opponent makes a mistake that you can take advantage of.

[Ninjujitsu]

@haveajerk Movie fights are super-exaggerated an choreographed. You would never find two people so evenly matched as to be able to deflect so many blows. A normal fight would be over much faster. 'course it's no fun to just have someone die so quickly with so little action. The purpose of movies is to display impossible fantasies, and this sword fight is an amazing example.

[MAGUIARGIL]

@Ninjujitsu Yes, it is true; but there is a degree of realism that must be fulfilled, I think so. One can review many sword fights in movies and find that there are very well coreographed duels and sword-clashing-scenes like this one, except around at 2:07 :)

[leroux201]

because in olympic fencing, noone gets killed

[Miklu93]

Capitan got owned :D

[phoenixhunters]

i think the originals where in black and white :p

[Womper55]

why isn't Olympic fencing this fun to watch!

[Shindai]

@Womper55 Too many rules :p The olympics should really have historical fencing instead of sports fencing, it's much more entertaining and the weapons are much more fun

[Slypaperclips]

@Shindai plus it never ends up looking this cool, no matter how good you are.

[leidbag]

@Womper55 People would die? LOL.

[Prod1Kh]

@Womper55 Because duelling with epees only takes place on one axis; you can move forward or backwards, but not sideways?

[johncarter55]

Do not forget: the Spanish Main with Paul Henried...Scaramouche with Stewart Granger...

The Purple Mask with Tony Curtis.

[SergeofPower]

The best movie swordfight ever recorded. No wires, no fancy special effects. Pure skill and commitment. Bravo!

[Scruffy193]

Hang on a tic, wasn't Rathbone's villain called Pasquale? Perhaps I am mistaken...

[ShinobiSpade1981]

You're not mistaken - Captain Esteban Pasquale

[Shindai]

@Scruffy193 Where the hell did I get Mondego from? :| I must have been watching the Count of Monte Cristo or something while I uploaded this lol I can't believe I've had that wrong all this time :$

[FlippinBooks]

@Shindai There's a pretty good fencing scene in "The Count of Monte Cristo", too. So at least you weren't far off! :)

[highonthis]

epic!

[akarpowicz]

I always hated seeing Rathbone losing duels because he's so damn good! I wish there was one really good duel that he wins. Romeo & Juliet doesn't count. I would love to see the slo-mo version. Thanks for posting.

[Shindai]

Hehe I absolutely agree, I've only seen him in this film and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938 I think it was), and I've seen the last fight of The Court Jester, the man's a legend, would love to have seen him play a hero like Zorro or Robin Hood himself just once. I'll try to remember to upload the slow motion one for you :) If it ain't up in two days email me to get me off my arse lol

[Scruffy193]

Gotta love the old swordfights, where the gentlemen would exchange quips AND blows whilst keeping their cool.

Swordfights are much cooler than gunfights, IMO...

[Shindai]

Usually I'd insist people don't state their opinions as fact but "swordfights are cooler than gunfights" is just undeniable :p Few gunfights I've ever seen come close to the coolness of a good duel (Face/Off, for example)

[Scruffy193]

@Shindai,

I agree, and I too dislike people stating opinion as fact, hence why I said "In My Opinion"...

[Shindai]

Sorry, wasn't suggesting what you said bugged me, I mean what you said is so true it bypasses mere opinion and becomes undisputed fact :) I fail at eloquence :$

[Doyleray44]

Masterful Duel

[hilite101]

this was a great movie, i bought it for 5 bucks at best buy, what a steal

[Nergaladdictchic]

DUDE!!!!! Basil Rathbone is THE BEST swordfighter ever!!!!! HE'S FREAKING AMAZING!!!!!!!!

[Prod1Kh]

@Nergaladdictchic And always condemned to play the bad guy because he was British. Had to lose to Tyrone Power and Errol Flynn (who couldn't hold a candle to him), but apparrently thought that Danny Kaye would have been an excellent fencer if he'd taken it up as a sport.

[MissCartoon97]

@Nergaladdictchic You are right!! Basil Rathbone is fabuolus! And not only in Sherlock Holmes!!

[cleopatrabonz]

@Nergaladdictchic I dont know, tyrone power is a very powerful swordsman, fast on his feet and much younger and quite handsome too!

[vappnocash]

Graceful and elegant! Nothing beats this swordfight, not even the zorros of today.

Already bought the remastered DVD with colored, and black and white version.

[Elchikodelgas]

Epic duel

[samwyse2006]

This was intense, must be the best sword fight I've seen.

[homfencing]

My God....Rathbone's beat-double at 2:24...with a straight arm! The control!

[yellowvespa04]

It's amazing what you can do when you and you're opponent let each others actions develop.

[homfencing]

Or when it's both choreographed and fenced well!

[jimb0jet]

I think you;ll find the cut to his shoulder is at 3:06

[atrainhxdotcom]

@jimb0jet

Agreed: the cut is at 3.06

What a fantastic scene. THIS is acting. Seriously, I don't see anything contemporary that compares.

[Shindai]

@atrainhxdotcom You and jimb0jet are right, now it's been pointed out I can see it. funny, I saw this scene so many times before now but never noticed that.

[pugliesej]

BUT!!!,

when did he receive the scratch?,

I've seen the DVD and this video and never see when he was struck by El Capitan.

Either bad editing or perhaps T.Powers forgot his line.

Regardless, an excellent scene, very good movie.

[Shindai]

That's always bothered me too :/

[jscardul]

Absolutely best duel ever! Basil was the best! He's so good I'd rather be him in this duel than Zorro.

[primarydominant]

this is considered the best/most realistic duel in the history of cinema.

[Jiosonus]

This is one of the best hollywood sword fights. It's very intense and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Kung fu got nothing on these guys.

[orsolyaerdelyi]

'I might be tempted - if I had a weapon' - oh Diego is such a beautiful, handsome man.....

and this fight scene is magnificient!!!!

I fenced for 3 years, and it feels so nice to watch them...

[berkeleyhome]

Rathbone was trained in fencing..but always seemed to be cast as the bad guy..and had to lose

[Shindai]

I agree, but look on the positive side, only the most badass people can be baddies as well as him :)

[LuciusTheFair]

And its a testament to his skill. It takes a very skilled fencer to lose in a cinematically convincing way.

[Stormstallion]

I thought I heard somewhere, during the filming of The Adventures of Robin Hood, Rathbone got so fed up with Flynn fooling around during the fencing scenes he almost legitimately went after him. Don't know the truth behind this story, though.

[djv026]

Absolutely correct, Ratbone was furious over the fact that Flynn didn't regard fencing as a serious sport.

[hellzanetruesdale]

all too true. I heard that story as well. I even tried out fencing for myself having first thought of it as a bit of a joke. got my ass kicked. it is a true sport that takes an hour to learn and a lifetime to master.

[FlippinBooks]

@Stormstallion LOL, I could see that. Rathbone said in an interview that he used to tell Flynn, "You may be the one who gets the girl, but I can still kill you any time I want to." And I'm pretty sure he was only half-kidding. :P

[Neutron1984]

Best.

Swordfight.

Ever.

[Shumeshi]

they must have practiced a lot, that's quite dangerous without protective equipment.

[errolfan]

Basil dies so gracefully. Best swordfight on film, done by the two best duellers in Hollywood, Rathbone and Tyrone Power.

[Prisha308]

Thanks for sharing it with us, I´m not a Zorro fan, but this Film I really like, maybe while Basil is in it ;) And the scene is awesome!!!

[Shindai]

Does anyone else think this is better without music? I'm sure the right kind of music could make it awesomer, but it would be so easy to completely ruin it, don't you agree?

[LaTripleaResistance]

Thanks for the upload. How much better is not this fencing than the "touch and fall" crap in lotr and other overmade productions?

[Shindai]

To tell you the truth, i have no idea, not seen the LOTR movies :) But I'm gonna guess - much much better :D

[sdsadsaf]

The best sword fight in movie history. Thanks for the upload

[Shindai]

No problem, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the comment :)

[Tehosennake]

despite the coreography this is the most beautiful sabre work i have ever seen, blade control is amazing!!!!!!!!

[Shindai]

Despite the choreography? I don't mean to sound confrontational, but what's wrong with it? I don't know much about fencing beyond the footwork and stances, would you mind explaining?

[Tehosennake]

imagine if competitive sabre looked like this while on a piste (which it doesnt look like this). I would love sabre 10 times more than I already do. Thats what I meant, because of the choreography, the blade work is more precise and flowing for the both of the fighters, which would never happen in competitive sabre. Competitive sabre is much more abrupt and fast (it would be more interesting though if to get a point in sabre it took two miniutes).

[Shindai]

Ah, I understand better. I've never seen saber, only foil (and to be honest found it very dull to watch) though I've fought with saber and found it more interesting. Thank you for taking the time to explain what you meant :)

[ForbiddenFruit73]

@Tehosennake That's why I could never get into competitive saber when I was taking fencing, I found it too abrupt and fast to really enjoy. I loved doing more casual practice duels with sabre though.

[homfencing]

My God...the blade control!!

And Rathbone's beat/straight-armed disengage at 2:25...VERY difficult to do cleanly with a modern Olympic weapoin, let alone a more period weapon.

[Shindai]

Ah, someone who appreciates the subtleties of such a scene :) Always a pleasure to have something I uploaded complimented by someone with a clue lol

[homfencing]

Heh....well, I DO happen to be a fencer (primarily sabre, although I do far more teaching than competing these days)...and I work at SwordPlay in Burbank, CA, which includes a fine stage combat team....so I've seen some good stage work before!

[Shindai]

Very nice :) I've done some historical fencing in my time, don't really know a great deal about fencing, didn't stay long coz it was hard to get too, but I've always loved to watch fencing in movies like this :) This scene is truly one of the best I've seen, certainly one of my favourites.

[escottish140]

Good ol' Basil, what a swordsman! Villain or not, I'm always rooting for him to win!

[shengchenfan]

Thats a classic.I haven't seen that since i was a kid and it was an old movie then.