MovieChat Forums > The Mark of Zorro (1940) Discussion > Best Fencing Scene Ever?

Best Fencing Scene Ever?

posted 11 years ago by donovanarchmontierth
17 replies | jump to latest

The Mark of Zorro features a climactic duel between Zorro and Pasquale. Basil Rathbone was known already in Hollywood as an outstanding classical fencer, but Tyrone Power's own excellent skills are displayed here for the first time. The duel is ornate and full of subtlety, as opposed to Rathbone's duel with Errol Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood, and the duel in The Mark of Zorro is considered by many movie buffs to be the finest swordfight in cinema.

http://www.beststuntaward.com/2013/02/1940-best-stunt-award.html

Donovan Montierth
Brothers' Ink Productions

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] digitaldiva 11 years ago

Hi Hefley,

I just watched it and agree, technically amazing and probably the best scene of its kind. I agree with another poster, the only issue with that incredible dual is that it came in too early in the film. I wanted to see even more Rathbone and Power.

[–] wrfarley 11 years ago

Not only the best duel, but also one of the great action scenes in all American cinema. Along with the bar fight scene in SHANE, it's also the most realistic. By the way, Power is doubled by stunt man, Alfred Cavens. Please check my post on this for photo of Cavens in Diego make-up.

[–] digitaldiva 11 years ago

Hi wfarley,

I had seen the post about Cavens and watched the duel very carefully. I noticed that when Diego's back was to the camera, the shots were Cavens but there were a number of times that I could tell that the fencer was Power. Power was a classically trained actor so he knew his way around a foil. The whole duel worked
magnificently. Everyone involved with that scene deserves kudos.

[–] wrfarley 11 years ago

Oh, there's no doubt Power did himself proud in the duel. Basil Rathbone complimented him on his talent with the blade. We just have to make sure that credit is given where due, and this spectacular scene is great because the writing, acting, direction, camera, editing, sound, stunts and costuming come together brilliantly.

[–] digitaldiva 11 years ago

Agreed, it is a spectacular scene and everyone was at the top of their game!

[–] Rz2010 11 years ago

I watched the film for the second time today. The duel is definitely up there in my favourite cinematic sword-fights. And I agree what others on this board have said - it's the simplicity that makes the duel, no attempting to cross swords while swinging on ropes or balancing on floating robots or whatever.

[–] cheval_52-1 10 years ago

Tyrone Power also performed some great Fencing Scenes in the 1953 movie "Mississippi Gambler", only these scenes took place in a Fencing School but still some great action.

[–] bellantoni1 11 years ago

if i recall correctly, power's final fencing action for the kill is a triple disengage around rathbone's attempted parries. nicely done!

[–] wrfarley 11 years ago

Nicely done, bellantoni. Of course, that isn't Power in that shot, but stunt double Albert Cavens.

Also, to earlier poster, SCARAMOUCHE also uses no music during its duel scenes.

[–] bellantoni1 11 years ago

i don't doubt that. i've heard that rathbone had real fencing experience, but never that power did. and going by memory of the scene (it's been years since i saw it), during the fatal moment you only see rathbone desperately attempting to parry the point of zorro's blade as the final thrust comes through. zorro himself is off screen. the best part is that the parries & disengages are small and efficient as in sport fencing, rather than wild and theatrical. i appreciated it.

on another on-screen fencer--what was gene wilder's fencing background? i recall that in sherlock holmes' younger brother and in the corsican brothers (correct title?) wilder does some professional-style fencing work. anyone know?

[–] wrfarley 11 years ago

Never saw the Wilder Holmes' movie, so I can't say. The best competitive fencer among Hollywood actors, however, was Cornell Wilde, who qualified in individual saber for the 1936 Olympics, but backed out to, I think, study acting. You can Google his bio for the actual details. Better still than Wilde was the great Aldo Nadi, who appeared in a couple of Hollywood films (TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT, for instance), but never fenced on screen. Nadi was a renowned world champion, and someone who in his younger days fenced an actual duel.

[–] dknow4 10 years ago

Yes, the duel between Tyrone Power & Basil Rathbone deserves to be considerd the best fencing contest in the movies. Fencing instructor Fred Cavens wanted the swordplay to look like a real fight. Here, he succeeded admirably. The theatrical flourishes are held to a minimum. The fight takes on great intensity because it takes place in a relatively confined space. There is literaly no place to run, no place to hide.

[–] Rascar-Capac 10 years ago

Outstanding without doubt. However there is one duel I still rank higher. Which one? Take a look at:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045125/board/thread/214496009

[–] jonnybravo147 9 years ago

Just saw the film and I was thinking 'wow!' during the duel. Great stuff. Much better than Robin Hood. Overall I rated it 8.

[–] MrEdnablackadder 8 years ago

Really one of the best film duels. However, my favourite remains the Stewart Granger-Mel Ferrer one in "Scaramouche". Interestingly, Ferrer was largely doubled by Britt Lomond, who would play Captain Monastario, Zorro's original foe, in the definitive 57 version. Fred Cavens was fencing master in the show, too, while his son Albert had some guest appearances.

[–] liscarkat (16476) 6 years ago

While remaining graceful and athletic, it looks like they're really trying to kill each other, not just slapping their blades together to make noise. The final blow is so abrupt and shocking it still startles me, even though I've seen it many times.