Excellent Story of Obsession, Hubris, Repentance, and Redemption
Added 6/14/2008
This movie doesn't have any fiery explosions and blood splattering all over walls. Just plot, well-developed characters, and an entertaining storyiine.
Some people won't like it for those reasons. Leave them to their Bruce Willis, Steven Segal, Claude van Damme, and Sylvester Stallone movies.
This is a welcome addition to our permanent video library that my wife and I both enjoy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Two Swords Way Up
Added 2/12/2007
Fast-paced, intelligent action-melodrama set in the world of professional fencing.
The actors are solid right down the line. Particular credit must go to F. Murray Abraham, who makes a surprisingly spry leading man/antihero. It couldn't have been easy for the (then) 52 year old actor to "bulk up" for this role. Not only did Abraham have to learn the art of swordfighting in what must have been a relatively short period of time, but he was faced with the challenge of keeping pace with a much younger and athletic Eric Roberts in a grueling climactic duel. Fortunately for Abraham (and us) he pulls it off with flair.
A special tip of the hat is also due Bob Anderson, the behind-the-scenes sword master involved in the film's production. One of those "famous people you've never heard of", the former Olympic fencer has trained and choreographed actors for such adventure films as "Highlander", "The Princess Bride", "The Mask of Zorro", the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl". In other words, whenever you see the name Bob Anderson in the credits, you know you're going to get your money's worth action-wise. Happily, "By the Sword" keeps Anderson's remarkable streak intact. The fight scenes are taut and well-choreographed, and none of the stars look like they only learned how to pick up a sword the day before yesterday.
If "By the Sword" does have one flaw, it's this: too many subplots, too little time. Co-star Mia Sara is easy enough on the eyes, but her onscreen pairing with Chris Rydell never really goes anywhere. Likewise, Abraham's romance with co-star Elaine Kagan is left hanging in the balance. Too bad. Given that the movie's only 91 minutes long, one wonders how much footage ended up on the cutting room floor.
A final minor gripe goes to Bill Conti's instantly forgettable score. This is the guy, after all, who composed the theme to "Rocky", arguably one of the greatest movie scores of all time, but you'd never know it from what he churns out here. A real disappointment.
"By the Sword" has not yet been released on DVD. I do own the VHS, however, so a few quick comments are in order. Overall, the video and sound quality are about as sharp as you could possibly expect on ye olde VHS format. (In case you're wondering, it's recorded in SP, the best format available for VHS.) The movie is presented in pan-and-scan format; however, the action is framed well throughout, so the fight sequences don't suffer. Lastly, the video contains no extras of any kind... no surprises there. So while a DVD release would naturally be preferable, the VHS version is still a very decent buy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Terrific drama! Can't understand why it wasn't a famous, HUGE hit
Added 9/6/2006
Why this movie didn't go down as Eric Roberts and F. Murray Abraham's best film is beyond me. I really dug it, and am bummed that I can't rent it again --not even w/Netflix.
Mark Young - Iron Mountain, MI (the U.P.)
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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This little known gem is one of my favorites. I first encountered it years ago on late night cable. Back then, it captivated me because I love fencing. Since then, I have learned to appreciate the story as well.
F. Murray Abraham plays a man just out of prison for murder. His was the foolish act of a headstrong youth. He has since come to regret it and wishes to change his life. He seeks employment as a fencing instructor in a prestigious salle but his style and skills are out of date. He can get work only as a janitor. Even so, he works to regain his lost skill and eventually gets the grudging acceptance of the maestro and is allowed to teach beginners classes. The students have a hard time taking him seriously but his skill is such that he wins acceptance from them as well. Eventually, his real identity comes out. He has a "history" with the maestro and tempers flare I a great clash of wills and style.
This isn't just a story about guys playing with long pointy things. It is about striving to be the best but setting limits as to what one is willing to do to be the best. It is about winning at all costs versus winning with honor. It is about vengeance and respect.
The fencing scenes are well done. Abraham does a convincing job of conveying the athleticism of fencing even though he is decades older than his opponents.
Touche!
9 out of 10 people found this helpful.
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Great if underrated movie
Added 9/5/2004
Ok, I know nothing about fencing but I know what I like. This movie isn't really about fencing, it's about murder, remorse, ambition and guilt.
F. Murray Abraham is a Maximillian Suba, a man just released from prison for the murder of his fenching instructor. His reasons for it he describes as because he was young and stupid. He seeks out work as the custodian for a fenching school owned by the son of the man he killed, Alexander Villard also know as the Maestro, played by Eric Roberts.Alexander has become the conquirer. He has spent his life believing his father was killed because for one moment he was weak and foolish. The Maestro grew up telling himself that he'd never be that weak or that foolish. When it's mentioned that Alexander's father won a gold medal and world championship medal, Alexanders only comment is, "I have two of each." It is more or less understood that he has only retired because there is no one left to defeat.
Now Suba sees his second victim as he watches this man rule a private empire, while he confuses being kind with being weak, and being dead with being strong.
4 out of 7 people found this helpful.
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Excellent Story of Obsession, Hubris, Repentance, and Redemption
Added 6/14/2008
This movie doesn't have any fiery explosions and blood splattering all over walls. Just plot, well-developed characters, and an entertaining storyiine.
Some people won't like it for those reasons. Leave them to their Bruce Willis, Steven Segal, Claude van Damme, and Sylvester Stallone movies.
This is a welcome addition to our permanent video library that my wife and I both enjoy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Two Swords Way Up
Added 2/12/2007
Fast-paced, intelligent action-melodrama set in the world of professional fencing.
The actors are solid right down the line. Particular credit must go to F. Murray Abraham, who makes a surprisingly spry leading man/antihero. It couldn't have been easy for the (then) 52 year old actor to "bulk up" for this role. Not only did Abraham have to learn the art of swordfighting in what must have been a relatively short period of time, but he was faced with the challenge of keeping pace with a much younger and athletic Eric Roberts in a grueling climactic duel. Fortunately for Abraham (and us) he pulls it off with flair.
A special tip of the hat is also due Bob Anderson, the behind-the-scenes sword master involved in the film's production. One of those "famous people you've never heard of", the former Olympic fencer has trained and choreographed actors for such adventure films as "Highlander", "The Princess Bride", "The Mask of Zorro", the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl". In other words, whenever you see the name Bob Anderson in the credits, you know you're going to get your money's worth action-wise. Happily, "By the Sword" keeps Anderson's remarkable streak intact. The fight scenes are taut and well-choreographed, and none of the stars look like they only learned how to pick up a sword the day before yesterday.
If "By the Sword" does have one flaw, it's this: too many subplots, too little time. Co-star Mia Sara is easy enough on the eyes, but her onscreen pairing with Chris Rydell never really goes anywhere. Likewise, Abraham's romance with co-star Elaine Kagan is left hanging in the balance. Too bad. Given that the movie's only 91 minutes long, one wonders how much footage ended up on the cutting room floor.
A final minor gripe goes to Bill Conti's instantly forgettable score. This is the guy, after all, who composed the theme to "Rocky", arguably one of the greatest movie scores of all time, but you'd never know it from what he churns out here. A real disappointment.
"By the Sword" has not yet been released on DVD. I do own the VHS, however, so a few quick comments are in order. Overall, the video and sound quality are about as sharp as you could possibly expect on ye olde VHS format. (In case you're wondering, it's recorded in SP, the best format available for VHS.) The movie is presented in pan-and-scan format; however, the action is framed well throughout, so the fight sequences don't suffer. Lastly, the video contains no extras of any kind... no surprises there. So while a DVD release would naturally be preferable, the VHS version is still a very decent buy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Terrific drama! Can't understand why it wasn't a famous, HUGE hit
Added 9/6/2006
Why this movie didn't go down as Eric Roberts and F. Murray Abraham's best film is beyond me. I really dug it, and am bummed that I can't rent it again --not even w/Netflix.
Mark Young - Iron Mountain, MI (the U.P.)
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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