fencing shindig
POSTED BY: iamzoe
UPDATED: Wednesday, November 17, 2004 00:54
VIEWED: 5424
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Quote:
Originally posted by Nywoe:
My old fencing coach used to talk about one particular obscure fencing movie that he said was the best fencing movie ever. But I don't remember the title.
Sorry, no tips on obscure movies, just wanted to mention my three favourites, all famous:
Princess Bride, 'cause Inigo Montoya & D P Wesley Roberts fight both left & right handed. And if they flipped the film @any point, I have yet to spot it, & I've tried.
Rob Roy, but only 'cause it's foil v broadsword.
Great Race, 'cause Artemis Gordon & the Boston Strangler start with a fine contest using foils as foils, then move into what I think is the best sabre fight on film, the sound effects are awesome, and it has the greatest ending ever.
Keep the Shiny Side Up
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I used to fence competitively for a few years and back in '95, my coach was considering putting me up for selection for the 2000 Olympics, but I turned down the opportunity - I enjoyed the sport, and enjoyed psyching out my opponents (I'm a short guy at 5'4", I can't tell you how many people underestimated me at first sight!), but in the end, I asked myself if I wanted the sport to take over my life between then and 2000 and I chose no.
Anyhow, just wanted to say that one of the best fencing duels on the screen can be seen in the Princess Bride between Inigo Montoya ("You killed my father... prepare to die!") and "Dread Pirate Roberts" ("Asssssssss yoooooouuuuu wiiiiiiiiiiishhhh...."). I thought at the time it was one of the more technically correct duels with Inigo's stance, grip and footwork. Too often we see people wielding their rapiers or sabres incorrectly or standing / moving in what they think looks like a fencer's stance, but they end up looking like a rooster with constipation. From memory, I think Atherton's en guarde position looks okay, if just a little too front on.
-- H
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How about the sword fights in Rob Roy? From your description of yourself you might enjoy those if you haven't seen them yet.
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I can't believe I forgot to mention Inigo Montoya when I said my favourite films. I learnt to fence left-handed because of that film (and a pesky injury...).
Have you tried, I think they are called, Z-grips? They are made by a company in the US and are very comfortable. Unfortunately I don't knwo where to get them - I bought mine off an American who thought he'd have problems getting his fencing kit back home on the plane.
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shinyseven wrote:
Quote:
Actually the thing about Shindig is that it can be hard to fence a complete beginner, especially an aggressive one! because, as Simon said in another connection, they don't play by any civilized rules.
Did you see any of the PBS MiniSeries Sharp's Rifles a few years back? They had a scene that illustrates you point pretty well. Sharp (Sean Bean) has a duel with a Spanish Count, who has been taking lessons from a French Swordmaster. The Count is on the verge of humiliating Sharp. Sharp knows he can't hold his own with this guy, but he get's lucky and manages to catch his blade and clinch. While the Count is struggling to push Sharp away, he takes the opportunity to groin the him. (very uncivilized)
updated for syntax
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Quote:
Originally posted by iamzoe:
I can't believe I forgot to mention Inigo Montoya when I said my favourite films. I learnt to fence left-handed because of that film (and a pesky injury...).
Have you tried, I think they are called, Z-grips? They are made by a company in the US and are very comfortable. Unfortunately I don't knwo where to get them - I bought mine off an American who thought he'd have problems getting his fencing kit back home on the plane.
If you're talking about a pistol grip, yeah, I still have one on my foil. I used to really favour the french grip, but once you start fencing electric, you really need the pistol for those flicks. But, it's been quite a few years since I picked up my foil, ever since... *far away look* that day...
Just kidding, there was no day.
Btw, I always found left handers disconcerting, despite always training with them - mainly cuz they bring you out of your comfort zone. But, if you quickly overcome that feeling, there are ways to get the better of them if you don't let them use their tricks :) I used to like watching two left handers fence, because facing another left hander would be disconcerting to both as it is for us facing them - trouble is, they're used to fighting right handers, so the right hander has the disadvantage.
Never seen Rob Roy.
-- H
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