10 Best Sword Fights In Movies

Sword fights often feature in family-friendly adventure films. They can give the appearance of a long fight without any graphic injuries, bloody violence or death. As might be expected with Tarantino though, Kill Bill avoids all that.

Continuing his tradition of playing homage to the great movie genres of history, Kill Bill’s sword fight is stylised like Asia’s most violent offerings. Gushing red streams burst from cuts, the action is fast and frenetic, and the hero’s quest for vengeance insatiable.

Despite the carnage of The Bride taking on the endless rivers of fighters though, it’s the more focussed scene against Lucy Lui’s O-Ren Ishii that gets the nod here. It’s more nuanced, the stakes are higher in a one on one bout and the crisp snow is compellingly atmospheric.

Thurman ragged and soaked in blood against the coiffed Lui all in white epitomises their characters. Ishii never feels like she’s not in control, while The Bride will stop at nothing to get her revenge.

As you’d expect from Tarantino, the soundtrack matches the action brilliantly and the lines are quick, cutting deep. He has so many high points across his career, but this scene is one of his best.