NationStates Jolt Archive


Best sword movie of the 80s?

Markreich
16-09-2006, 02:01
The 80s.
Sword movies.

What a great time to be alive! Which is your favorite?

(FYI: Even though it had Courtney Cox in it, I refuse to put "Masters of the Universe" as an option.)
Yootopia
16-09-2006, 02:02
Conan the Barbarian?
Zilam
16-09-2006, 02:10
Sw Rotj Ftw :d
Iztatepopotla
16-09-2006, 02:13
Highlander, followed closely by RotJ.
Markreich
16-09-2006, 02:15
I actually love all of these movies on some level (though I confess Red Sonja is at the bottom of the list), but I had to choose Highlander.
Psychotic Mongooses
16-09-2006, 02:29
The Princess Bride is probably the most accurate for realistic sword fighting out of that list.
The Psyker
16-09-2006, 02:37
There can be only one!
Only one greatest sword movie of the 80s that is and its Highlander.:cool:
Nihonou-san
16-09-2006, 02:42
Return of the Jedi OWNS. The fight between Vader and Luke, that is a very cool sword fight. (BTW: If you want to see a better version of the fight between Obi-Wan and Vader, check out the manga. I'm serious)
Markreich
16-09-2006, 02:49
The Princess Bride is probably the most accurate for realistic sword fighting out of that list.

...I'm actually WATCHING it right now on TV, which is what spurred this thread!!

I wouldn't call it accurate, but it's a classic for sure.

BTW: The swordmaster for The Princess Bride was Bob Anderson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0026428/). He also gave us all 3 Lord of the Rings, Mask of Zorro, the (1993) Three Musketeers, By the Sword, Highlander, and the original Star Wars.

The man is a theatrical genius.
Psychotic Mongooses
16-09-2006, 02:54
...I'm actually WATCHING it right now on TV, which is what spurred this thread!!
Freaky!

I wouldn't call it accurate, but it's a classic for sure.
The one scene between Inigo Montoya and Wesley (the "I'm not really left handed! Aha!" scene) is accurate enough. (Considering that swordplay is next to non existent in modern cinema (remembers Die Another Day *shudders*), one has to go back to Errol Flynn prior to this for good mainstream 'accuracy'.)

BTW: The swordmaster for The Princess Bride was Bob Anderson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0026428/). He also gave us all 3 Lord of the Rings, Mask of Zorro, the (1993) Three Musketeers, By the Sword, Highlander, and the original Star Wars.

The man is a theatrical genius.

He was a sabreur too I believe. Top British coach in his day.

Good list by the way.
Markreich
16-09-2006, 03:09
The one scene between Inigo Montoya and Wesley (the "I'm not really left handed! Aha!" scene) is accurate enough. (Considering that swordplay is next to non existent in modern cinema (remembers Die Another Day *shudders*), one has to go back to Errol Flynn prior to this for good mainstream 'accuracy'.)


Good list by the way.

Cinema is non existent in modern cinema. Not only is there no Cary Grant or John Wayne in movies any more, Harrison Ford isn't even around any more.

As I heard on "Mind of Mencia" yesterday: "John Wayne would kick Tom Cruise's ass!"


Thanks!
Potarius
16-09-2006, 04:28
Highlander was a DOCUMENTARY, and the events happened in real time!


A delicious special cookie to whomever gets this quote.
Megaloria
16-09-2006, 04:33
Transformers: The Movie.

One character had a sword.

/bias
Chronosia
16-09-2006, 04:35
Highlander.

Because only a good movie can have a French Scotsman and a Scottish Egyptian/Spaniard AND STILL MAKE SENSE
Lunatic Goofballs
16-09-2006, 04:35
There can be only one! :)
Cannot think of a name
16-09-2006, 05:30
Highlander was a DOCUMENTARY, and the events happened in real time!


A delicious special cookie to whomever gets this quote.

That would be Master Shake, explaining the logic behind throwing Happy Time Harry over a cliff to deny the depressed and mean doll the death that he so desperately wanted.

Obviously I have a big soft spot for the Return of the Jedi and that was probably the best duel of all the movies, but I gotta give it up to Highlander. That has the mark of, "You know what'd be cool? People fighting with swords-like all of them. Now." and making a concept to allow that to happen.

When I was a projectionist we had a little tv that got one channel and there was an hour and fifteen minute gap that let me watch the Highlander tv series. It might just be familiarity, or I had nothing better to do, but I actually grew to like that show. I would have liked it to be a little different, like it didn't need to end in a beheading every episode. I actually think that those should have been rare.

But meh.
Potarius
16-09-2006, 05:32
That would be Master Shake, explaining the logic behind throwing Happy Time Harry over a cliff to deny the depressed and mean doll the death that he so desperately wanted.

*hands you a fricking box of special cookies*
Cannot think of a name
16-09-2006, 05:36
*hands you a fricking box of special cookies*

I'm going to bath in special cookies.

Remember kids, don't squeeze the pancake batter.
Lunatic Goofballs
16-09-2006, 05:48
I'm going to bath in special cookies.

Remember kids, don't squeeze the pancake batter.

http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/insane.gif
Potarius
16-09-2006, 05:50
http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/insane.gif

Wow. When LG says somebody's crazy...

...Wow.
Lunatic Goofballs
16-09-2006, 05:54
Wow. When LG says somebody's crazy...

...Wow.

I can smell my own kind. :)
Potarius
16-09-2006, 06:00
I can smell my own kind. :)

Dude, you love to smell your own kind. Tell us something we don't know, okay?
Lunatic Goofballs
16-09-2006, 06:06
Dude, you love to smell your own kind. Tell us something we don't know, okay?

In High School drama, I once played the part of a 60 year old woman.
Cannot think of a name
16-09-2006, 06:08
http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/insane.gif
Cool! Praise from Caesar!
The Nazz
16-09-2006, 06:13
I go with Princess Bride because it's the superior film, but I don't know that it's actually a sword film--Highlander is more a sword film, and deliciously fun despite its many flaws.
Aurendia
16-09-2006, 07:14
Highlander had a soundtrack by Queen, that alone is awesome.
Anglachel and Anguirel
16-09-2006, 07:16
There can be only one.
Minoriteeburg
16-09-2006, 07:19
Highlander by a landslide...


where else can you get beheaddings followed by the wonderful sound of queen? nowhere i tell you....
Anglachel and Anguirel
16-09-2006, 07:21
Highlander by a landslide...


where else can you get beheaddings followed by the wonderful sound of queen? nowhere i tell you....
Well, there's my cellar, but we'll ignore that for now.
Minoriteeburg
16-09-2006, 07:36
Well, there's my cellar, but we'll ignore that for now.

:confused: :D
BackwoodsSquatches
16-09-2006, 10:27
The only one with Clancy Brown.

The Kurgan, bitch!
Soviestan
16-09-2006, 10:50
Highlander! god that was good stuff.
Rhursbourg
16-09-2006, 10:57
Hawk The Slayer
Soviestan
16-09-2006, 10:58
Hawk The Slayer
your wrong
Lunatic Goofballs
16-09-2006, 11:14
The only one with Clancy Brown.

The Kurgan, bitch!

The First, Last and Only badass named Clancy. :)
BackwoodsSquatches
16-09-2006, 11:17
The First, Last and Only badass named Clancy. :)

Werd.

In fact, Clancy Brown is the debbil.

Carnivale?
Nodinia
16-09-2006, 11:46
Conan barbarian is my fave. Red thingy should have been omitted.

I got into a special premiere of Highlander, but was so pissed & stoned I couldnt lift my head to watch the screen for the first 15 minutes or so.

There was a sword movie that I watched on TV some 20 years ago, and cannot trace. I just remember a scene in which there was a breakout from the dungeon/torture chamber and the torturer got his head rammed into the grinding wheel. I remember thinking it "class" at the time, but I've never been able to track it down since.
Markreich
16-09-2006, 12:51
I go with Princess Bride because it's the superior film, but I don't know that it's actually a sword film--Highlander is more a sword film, and deliciously fun despite its many flaws.

Roo? :confused:

Inigo's whole character is about swords and fencing. He gets two duels (Man in black and Count Rugan), and takes out four guards as they are storming the castle. The movie has no firearms at all. How can it not be a sword movie???

I mean, hey, if The Return of the Jedi counts as a sword film, The Princess Bride surely does!
Markreich
16-09-2006, 12:52
Conan barbarian is my fave. Red thingy should have been omitted.


I put it in there because it is obsensibly a Conan film. There was no way I was going to give it it's own voting option!! :D
Drunk commies deleted
16-09-2006, 15:25
The 80s.
Sword movies.

What a great time to be alive! Which is your favorite?

(FYI: Even though it had Courtney Cox in it, I refuse to put "Masters of the Universe" as an option.)

I'd vote for Conan the Barbarian, but on your poll that means I would have to vote for such crap as Red Sonja and Conan the Destroyer as well. I simply can't bring myself to do that, so I won't vote.
Markreich
16-09-2006, 15:28
I'd vote for Conan the Barbarian, but on your poll that means I would have to vote for such crap as Red Sonja and Conan the Destroyer as well. I simply can't bring myself to do that, so I won't vote.

It's an OR. You can ignore 'em! ;)
Drunk commies deleted
16-09-2006, 15:29
I go with Princess Bride because it's the superior film, but I don't know that it's actually a sword film--Highlander is more a sword film, and deliciously fun despite its many flaws.

Better than the first Conan? Man I loved that movie. James Earl Jones kicked ass as Thulsa Doom and any movie where Arnold doesn't talk much is fine by me.
Drunk commies deleted
16-09-2006, 15:30
It's an OR. You can ignore 'em! ;)

Ok then, In that case I will vote.
Swilatia
16-09-2006, 15:38
star wars!
Markreich
16-09-2006, 16:59
star wars!

Star Wars was 1977, so I had to leave it out. Otherwise, I'd have to put in films like The Duelists, all those bad 70s Musketter movies, the Zatoichi films, etc...
Swilatia
16-09-2006, 18:24
Star Wars was 1977, so I had to leave it out. Otherwise, I'd have to put in films like The Duelists, all those bad 70s Musketter movies, the Zatoichi films, etc...

i'm talking about the whole trilogy, not just the original. though the orignall was 1977, the other two were in the 80's so i say it counts as the 80's.
PootWaddle
16-09-2006, 18:32
I’m not voting, because the best sword movies of the eighties was the memory of the 70’s version of the Musketeers story.

The Three Musketeers
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072281/

The Four Musketeers
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073012/

:D
Daistallia 2104
16-09-2006, 18:32
Since you've busted your own constraints, as pointed out, by listing Star Wars, either Ridley Scott's Duellists (same year as Star Wars) or the 1990 Cyrano de Bergerac . Otherwise the Princess Bride.
Markreich
16-09-2006, 20:03
Since you've busted your own constraints, as pointed out, by listing Star Wars, either Ridley Scott's Duellists (same year as Star Wars) or the 1990 Cyrano de Bergerac . Otherwise the Princess Bride.

Read the thread, Luke...

BTW, what part of Star Wars (Empire or Jedi) says "A New Hope"?
The Nazz
16-09-2006, 20:08
Roo? :confused:

Inigo's whole character is about swords and fencing. He gets two duels (Man in black and Count Rugan), and takes out four guards as they are storming the castle. The movie has no firearms at all. How can it not be a sword movie???

I mean, hey, if The Return of the Jedi counts as a sword film, The Princess Bride surely does!

I was thinking of the question more along the lines of "is swordfighting the point of the movie" which is why I said Highlander was more of a sword movie than The Princess Bride (which I voted for, btw). Perhaps I underestimated the importance of the swordfighting in TPB.

And on a side note, I'd like to nominate LadyHawke for "worst choice of band to score a film set in 14th century France."
Markreich
16-09-2006, 20:13
I was thinking of the question more along the lines of "is swordfighting the point of the movie" which is why I said Highlander was more of a sword movie than The Princess Bride (which I voted for, btw). Perhaps I underestimated the importance of the swordfighting in TPB.

Perhaps... I mean, swordfighting per se isn't the point of Highlander either, it's Connor's winning the prize and growth as a person. In theory, he could have held Kergan's head over a rail while a train goes by or something. :)

And on a side note, I'd like to nominate LadyHawke for "worst choice of band to score a film set in 14th century France."

Seconded... a lot!
JuNii
16-09-2006, 20:50
bah... loosers all of em...
My votes go to...

The Warrior and the Sorceress
the Deathstalker series
The Barbarian Brothers
DragonSlayer
Gor
Krull
She
Sword of the Valiant
Sword and the Sorcerer
Wizards of the Lost Kingdom

oh and Red Sonja is not a Conan movie. Even tho it has Ahnold in it. it's not a Conan Movie.

(wonders who else seen the above list.)
The Nazz
16-09-2006, 20:55
bah... loosers all of em...
My votes go to...

The Warrior and the Sorceress
the Deathstalker series
The Barbarian Brothers
DragonSlayer
Gor
Krull
She
Sword of the Valiant
Sword and the Sorcerer
Wizards of the Lost Kingdom

oh and Red Sonja is not a Conan movie. Even tho it has Ahnold in it. it's not a Conan Movie.

(wonders who else seen the above list.)

Only Dragonslayer and Krull, both of which I saw in the theater as a kid, and even though I was young, I knew Krull was crap as a movie. The sword was cool, admittedly, but the movie was weak.
Skibereen
16-09-2006, 20:56
I voted Higlander but Blind Fury is a close second.
Markreich
16-09-2006, 20:57
bah... loosers all of em...
My votes go to...

The Warrior and the Sorceress
the Deathstalker series
The Barbarian Brothers
DragonSlayer
Gor
Krull
She
Sword of the Valiant
Sword and the Sorcerer
Wizards of the Lost Kingdom

oh and Red Sonja is not a Conan movie. Even tho it has Ahnold in it. it's not a Conan Movie.

(wonders who else seen the above list.)

I'm impressed. You dug up every bad sword film of the 80s (barring the aforementioned "Masters of the Universe") I was trying to forget!

Actually, Krull almost made my list, but it has less to do with swords than Ladyhawke. And I really wanted the joke option of "Yellowbeard".

What is "She"?
JuNii
16-09-2006, 20:58
Only Dragonslayer and Krull, both of which I saw in the theater as a kid, and even though I was young, I knew Krull was crap as a movie. The sword was cool, admittedly, but the movie was weak.

you gotta see the sword and the sorcerer then... cool swords in that one.

to me, Princess Bride was a romance story with sword fighting. otherwise it would get my vote.

my list is sword fighting around a semblance of a story. ;)
Markreich
16-09-2006, 20:58
I voted Higlander but Blind Fury is a close second.

I.... I just couldn't have TWO Rutger Hauer films in the list! I just... couldn't! :eek:
Psychotic Mongooses
16-09-2006, 21:00
What is "She"?

A book by H. Rider Haggard?
Skibereen
16-09-2006, 21:00
Rutger Hauer is the man(not to hijack) but villian in NightHawk, the Hitcher(excellent film) Blind Fury the entire movie is about Swords I have no idea why you picked Lady Hawk over it.
Markreich
16-09-2006, 21:01
A book by H. Rider Haggard?

Movie?
JuNii
16-09-2006, 21:01
I'm impressed. You dug up every bad sword film of the 80s (barring the aforementioned "Masters of the Universe") I was trying to forget!

Actually, Krull almost made my list, but it has less to do with swords than Ladyhawke. And I really wanted the joke option of "Yellowbeard".

What is "She"?

Post Apocalyptic Female Mad Max...
from WWW.IMDB.com
In a backward post-apocalyptic world, She aids two brothers' quest to rescue their kidnapped sister. Along the way, they battle orgiastic werewolves, a psychic communist, a tutu-wearing giant, a mad scientist, and gladiators before standing against the odds to defeat the evil Norks.
:D
Psychotic Mongooses
16-09-2006, 21:03
Movie?

Of the same name apparently. 1965 starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Ursula Andress. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059710/

Edit: ...or maybe not... now I'm confused... *scratches head*

Edit 2: Ok, 1982 film http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090009/ with writing credits going to H. Rider Haggard.
The Nazz
16-09-2006, 21:03
Post Apocalyptic Female Mad Max...
from WWW.IMDB.com

:D
That's the kind of film I'd expect from someone who has the Bulwer-Lytton awards link in their sig. :D
JuNii
16-09-2006, 21:04
That's the kind of film I'd expect from someone who has the Bulwer-Lytton awards link in their sig. :D

hey, I make no attempts to hide my love for the B-Movies!

Cannabal Women of the Avocado Jungle of Death RULES! :D

tho the modern ones leave alot to be desired. infact, while most look like porn films with all the good stuff cut out... some of them ARE porn fims with the good stuff cut out. :(
Nodinia
16-09-2006, 21:16
bah... loosers all of em...
My votes go to...

The Warrior and the Sorceress
the Deathstalker series
The Barbarian Brothers
DragonSlayer
Gor
Krull
She
Sword of the Valiant
Sword and the Sorcerer
Wizards of the Lost Kingdom

oh and Red Sonja is not a Conan movie. Even tho it has Ahnold in it. it's not a Conan Movie.

(wonders who else seen the above list.)

The lost kingdom.....Ach!!!!!! One of the worst duds ever made.
Dododecapod
17-09-2006, 19:47
Conan barbarian is my fave. Red thingy should have been omitted.

I got into a special premiere of Highlander, but was so pissed & stoned I couldnt lift my head to watch the screen for the first 15 minutes or so.

There was a sword movie that I watched on TV some 20 years ago, and cannot trace. I just remember a scene in which there was a breakout from the dungeon/torture chamber and the torturer got his head rammed into the grinding wheel. I remember thinking it "class" at the time, but I've never been able to track it down since.

That's The Sword and The Sorceror. I love it, but it's very hard to find.

However, I voted for Excalibur. Not only an excellent sword movie (on a par with Highlander and Ran but also the best version of King Arthur yet produced.
Nodinia
17-09-2006, 23:43
That's The Sword and The Sorceror. I love it, but it's very hard to find.

However, I voted for Excalibur. Not only an excellent sword movie (on a par with Highlander and Ran but also the best version of King Arthur yet produced.


My Thanks to you sir.

And yes, it is an excellent version of Arthur.
(I had the sad misfortune to see the one with Richard Gere....)