10 Best Sword Fights In Movies

Almost all of the praise given to the other sword fights on the list goes out of the window here. There’s nothing particularly stylised or atmospheric about this battle; it’s just stripped down brutality at its best.

Liam Neeson plays the eponymous Roy, fighting to defend his village from the royals. Tim Roth, who scored an Oscar nomination for his role, is a foppish underling of the aristocracy. Skilled with the blade and light on his feet, he’s the antithesis of old warrior Rob Roy.

Roth’s character murdered Roy’s best friend and raped his wife, so this battle is about more than land and freedom. This is personal. Roy’s wild slashes miss completely, while Roth’s dainty swordplay gives Roy flesh wound after flesh wound, grinding him down.

Most impressive is the lack of music. Rather than make the scene feel empty, it makes it much more visceral. We hear each clash of metal, each heavy footstep, each gasp of anguish. We never feel like we’re watching a choreographed movie.

The finale is so satisfying too. On his knees, Roy grab’s Roth’s thin sword, lacerating his hand as he bends it back. And with a heavy swing of his own, cleaves his foe in two.