Sword fights have been in movies and series since the inception of the medium. Various swords and styles are interpreted in different ways. An expert explains in a video how well the Witcher and other fighters handle the sword.
What kind of video is it? On the YouTube channel Insider, experts are shown scenes from movies and series in various subject areas, which they then evaluate. A paleontologist, for example, has evaluated all Jurassic Park films.
In a different YouTube video, the expert on sword fighting, Dave Rawlings, speaks. He is one of the few people in the world who teach sword fighting and has over 25 years of experience (via The London Longsword Academy). In the video, he analyzes the fight scene in the first season of The Witcher.
Henry Cavill impresses, the fight itself does not
Which fight is it about? In the 1st episode of the 1st season of The Witcher, there is an impressive fight scene where Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia fights against several opponents. The expert praises at the beginning that Henry Cavill does not carry his sword on his back, but holds it in his hand.
Usually, heroes like to carry their longswords on their backs in movies and series. However, the expert explains in the video that it was likely not looked upon favorably when swords were carried on the back. At the same time, it is advantageous in combat to be able to draw a sword directly instead of pulling it from the back.
He criticizes the fight itself, mainly due to Henry Cavill’s grip. The Witcher holds the sword backwards in many movements, like a knife. This is a significant disadvantage, as one gives up the defense and simultaneously restricts the range that could be possible.
According to the expert, however, Henry Cavill handles the movements well. He finds the Witcher-typical dance
with rotating sword movements and jumping from opponent to opponent to be good. Although he likes Henry Cavill as the Witcher, he rates the scene only a 4 out of 10.
Gladiator and a fight in Game of Thrones are praised
What does the expert say about other fight scenes? Throughout the video, the expert also reacts to other fight scenes from movies and series. One of them is the fight between Maximus and Commodus in the first Gladiator.
He compares the fight to the Spanish fencing style Destreza and particularly praises the parrying in the scene and how Maximus manages to throw Commodus to the ground. He rates the scene a solid 6 out of 10.
In the video, he also analyzes 3 scenes from Game of Thrones. In the fight between Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister, he praises details before the actual fight, but criticizes the movement. Especially that both move very far with the longsword instead of trying to break and control the distance with targeted thrusts, for example.
In general, he finds that the tip of the sword is not well utilized. After parrying, one should try to thrust and not pull back to strike sideways with the sword. He rates this scene a 5 out of 10.
He finds the fight between Brienne and Arya to be quite good. He praises the focus and that there are hardly any pauses in the movements.
In general, he praises all scenes with the Hound
Sandor Clegane, because he efficiently eliminates his opponents. There is no long flailing about.
In addition to swords, guns and other firearms are also constant companions in action films. The John Wick series creates a true action storm from this. But how realistic are the films? An elite soldier explains it in a video: Elite soldier explains how realistic the films about John Wick are
