Hollywood vs REAL SWORD FIGHTS: Why You're Being Lied To! #shorts #sword

In this short video, I'm going to share with you why Hollywood has been messing up sword fights for years. And the sad thing is, the viewers are the ones who pay the price.

Hollywood has been portraying sword fights in a way that is seriously wrong. Sure, there are a few sword fights here and there that look okay, but the vast majority of sword fights in Hollywood movies are completely inaccurate. And this misinformation is doing a terrible injustice to the sword fighting community.

So in this video, I'm going to share with you the story of how Hollywood has been screwing up sword fights for years, and the ramifications it has on the real sword fighting community. I hope you'll watch and share this
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[AmazingMrMe]

I think the reason choreographers love revers grip is it helps point the sword behind the actor, meaning it doesn't get in the way of the face and costuming, making it easier to show off those elements.

Of course that's also why it generally wouldn't be done in a real sword fight.

[AtotalSTOCKER]

One of the main reasons for large swings, at least in theatre (I haven't done much film acting), is so the actors can register the moved and react in a safe manner. Real fighting entails the intent to hurt or kill while acting fighting is just that: acting. It is also easier for the average watcher to follow and register what moves they are preforming on the stage as from far away (in like a 300+ person theatre) smaller more finite movements may not be seen as impressive or captivating as it would up close. You can also add a lot more dialog in an acting fight because the pace is much slower than a real fight as, again, the actors are just acting not going for a kill.

TL;DR: for safety and for visually appealing from the average viewer.

[alexander]

I think most people don't even know HEMA fencing exists. They hear fencing and think Olympic small sword but they assume the era of bastard swords is over. One of my favorite things about longsword fencing is getting to become part of the heritage and legacy of fencing as an art and a sport. You literally become one of the last torch bearers of an ancient art and technique. That's cool as shit and more people should be aware of its existence lol

[zyrusz]

The "But they should" was straight outta American Psycho

[charleshurst]

What sucks is that there are movies out there that had stunt crews who did their research and were allowed to make things that at least felt authentic. Filmmakers get it right when they care enough... No idea of how to force that though 😞

[slipperydoorknob]

Unless you’re jumping off walls doing backflips while spinning the sword on one hand and slashing through thousands of enemies, real swordsmanship isn’t cooler.

[techedbirb]

I dislike most fights that show clear openings for a person to just easily stab or slash them to be honest

[theaviationfiles]

As a young fencer, I see your point. I have been fencing for a while now and do believe that sword sports need more recognition. However, there does come the pint that with MMA, any physical combat, even the boring pressure point stuff, is still exciting and enticing. Whereas the stalemates you often find in fencing bouts or the too quick to call messy actions you find in quick fencing drills are not as enticing nor explainable to the audience. I do somewhat agree with you, but Hollywood does need to pay its actors, and the craziest out of this world stupid sword fighting gets the job done.

[AbyssalSword]

This is why I respect the crap out of Combat Gods. They researched actual weapon usages for just a few seconds of their two videos.

[makthemaniac]

i always questioned why reverse grip was used, the only times where reverse grip would make sense is when you stab someone whos on the floor

[magiguy]

We had a fighting choreographer come in for a play at school once, and the man knew what he was talking about. A friend and I (also sword nerds) we’re debating about what type of sword one of the props was, and thought to ask him. 5 minutes later and we’re deep in a history lesson on European vs. Asian sword styles 😂

[ThomasTwoBit]

There is a huge leap from "movie swordsmanship is inaccurate" to "Real swordsmanship is so much cooler". A reason they use the fake swordsmanship (which the dance choreographers work hard on) is that we like to see flashy over pratical.

I agree that accurate combat needs a place in movies but stating that across the board real swordsmanship is cooler is just flat wrong.

[TerminalVelociRaptor]

I would imagine that this was a thing long before Hollywood. Do we not see the same thing in traditional performances? The telegraphed, wide swings would look better on stage because overemphasis is a critical part of storytelling and it helps the audience to follow. The goal of a fight in a story is to create a dramatic effect, and the dramatic effect of a fight often comes from the pauses. That's where the emotion is instilled into the viewer.

[StomeAura]

They should’ve added a little detail that when a sim dies, their plumbob either breaks apart or simply fades away

[wingdinggaster]

Reverse grip is actually pretty useful if your weapon happens to have the blade on the wrong end

[gbramplays]

I was waiting for him to do some real moves

[LaScoot]

As someone who’s worked in entertainment, I agree that some of what the fight coordinators add is just visual flourish that would be a complete waste of energy in a real fight. Another component that needs to be considered, however, is how the fight translates on film. Can the audience follow the order of events— or the “story”— of what’s going on in the fight? This is made even more complex when you consider how many different camera angles are at play in any given shot. Fight on screen are notoriously difficult to edit in a way that makes sense to a viewer.

Some directors also sometimes use fights as important moments of characterization for certain characters. I always think of the first sword fight in the blacksmith workshop between Will Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie as a good example of how much you can learn about a character(s) based on how they fight. It’s visual storytelling.

Overall, while I do think more accurate combat techniques can and should be incorporated into fights in media, it’s also important to remember that the end goal of fighting in film is not the same as a fight in real life. Thus, I don’t necessarily think it’s fair to directly compare the two.

Hope this helps!

[thespiffingsith]

The common man hasn't used that as an actual weapon

[koishily]

"Spin moves are unrealistic"
Montante: "Do not presume to judge ME with your standards!"

[DurtyDan]

Look, MMA nerds already made fist-fighting boring, I don't need sword nerds doing the same.

They're movies, not historical documentaries, shooting for accuracy should help enhance setting appropriate stories.