Inigo vs. Westley: Princess Bride Perfection
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- Опубліковано 31 сер 2020
- Let's discuss Inigo Montoya vs. Westley, The Dread Pirate Roberts, duelling atop the Cliffs of Insanity in The Princess Bride. Because it's a Bob Anderson fight. And it is epic.
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Blow by Blow: The Princess Bride: notgonnahityou.wordpress.com/...
Love it. - Розваги
Inigo vs Count Rugen analysis here: ua-cam.com/video/SdBzuph0VCg/v-deo.html
Great videos. I will disagree with one thing you said in this one however. The sword fight scene is not long. Yes, it is long by sword fight standards. It is not long by film standards. The fight is never tedious. There is no wasted effort or dialog in the scene. I recently watched Kung Fu Hustle and many of the fight scenes in that movie went on too long. Not here. The scene is CINEMATIC perfection. Even the flimsy swords I believe is a nod to Errol Flynn's The Adventures of Robin Hood.
Are you going to break down the Wesley vs. Fezzik?
Just to point out, Google talks has a conversation from an interview with Cary Elwes (Wesley) where he talks about the training for the sword play. Let me just say they did not scrimp on talent for the training. Not even close. Their is more to the eye here than what you think.
Edit: i just went and got the URL for the conversation since i think it's worth the watch. Here it is: ua-cam.com/video/dieRrAK9rfM/v-deo.html
inigo vs rugen is my favorite sword fight in the film.
Your comment about the poor match of modern editing and good (and clear) fight scenes made me realize some of my favorite ones of (relatively) recent media tend to go against the multiple cut of modern editing, such as in Netflix Daredevil fight in the second episode of season one or in John Wick's movies.
It's incredible how clear some things become when someone is as good as you at explaining it.
"I am not left handed either," has got to be one of the best twists in cinema
But why would Westley do that? Sure, he's an honorable sportsman, but why would he waste time when his true love is being taken further away from him by people who probably want to kill her? Inigo's left-handed start makes sense for his character motivations, but Westley's doesn't. TPB is my favorite film of all time, but this is the one thing that bothers me about it.
Lifthil Westley prefers to keep an ace in the hole, get his enemies to underestimate him, while ensuring that no matter what they do he will succeed. - See, building up an immunity to iocane powder. - He is a skilled swordsman, and he doesn’t know what threat level Inigo represents. So he starts the fight with his (still very skilled) left hand, to feel out Inigos skill level, and hopefully bait him into overextending and making a mistake when he underestimates him, which Westley would then exploit by switching to right and revealing his true level of skill. This fits his M.O as a pirate with a career built on deception, who is lying about who he is. He isn’t a brute, he is cunning, and this is a part of that.
@@Wertsir Exactly. Westley has learned to think many moves ahead, which is why he wins against everyone.
@@Wertsir insightful
"No Westley, I am your father...and I am NOT left handed." "NOOOOOOO!"
The Princess Bride is the kind of movie that says, “Yes, many of these things are cliche and kind of silly. And you love it. But that’s okay, because so do we!”
Modern writers need to understand that cliches are not landmines to be avoided. They just need to be well enbroided into the story narrative and tone.
@@Peagaporto YES
I've noticed people either love or hate _The Princess Bride_ . Me? I love it. But people I respect hate it. Different strokes, I guess.
The best parodies are those that you can feel the love for the genre. In a lot of ways it makes them better movies than the movies they parody.
The key to so many good parodies is loving the original material enough you can laugh at it too.
Can we talk about how Wesley didn’t say he was going to kill Inigo. “I would hate to die.”
Yes! Let's do that. Westley doesn't go into the fight thinking he's going to win. He spent his time on the Revenge believing every night he went to sleep would be his last. But he's also got something to live for; he doesn't know if Buttercup still loves him, if she ever did. What he knows is that he didn't survive not to find out, not to make sure she knew he still loved her.
that exchange is one of my favourite lines in the film, it tells you everything you need to know about the characters, and what they stand for.
This was probably the first time I had ever seen a hero no respond with trash talk and it was sooooo cool!
@@rachaelknudsen8801 I must respectfully disagree, madame. They both enter brimming with (100% justified) confidence.
Inigo is so confident he'll casually talk about killing... and casually pass up several chances to do so...and casually give chances to do so.
Westley is so confident he feels no need to brag, reacts to Inigo's regretful threat with a tweak and a twinkle in his eye.. The important part of their duel had already begun in words. Their first casual, testing thrust and parry.
This scene isn't about Buttercup. His mission is a given, getting past a swordsman is just a necessary step that didn't require any of this.
This scene is about respect, honor, trust and sportsmanship, its about fencing w/swords and ideas, laying the ground to convince another to make a change, and above all about the steps to formation of a friendship.
so many layers of brilliance in this scene, and movie.
“Who are you?”
“No one of consequence.”
“I must know.”
“Get used to disappointment.”
-my favorite verbal exchange in the entire duel
Mine too! I especially like the way Inigo simply shrugs and says "Okay."
HA, this would not have worked so well if it were not for the nonchalant acceptance from Inigo.
This fight always struck me as a classic "falling in love" scene but manly and platonic. From the playful boasting to forcing compliments out of each other, to the existential "Who are you?" exchange, it was like when you first properly meet the person who will become your BFF, overly dramatic for no reason and still 100% real
Whispers in gay dweeb: _there was nothing platonic about itttttt_
*The birth of a bro-mance.
I feel it. In a way.... I always have 💘
Platonic soulmates
happens exactly like that in Future Boy Conan!
"Since the invention of the duel, there have been five swordfights that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind."
"This one left them all behind."
Left _and_ right!
As you wish!
I do not think this means what you think it means...... :)
Haha good one
Wait..... is this a sword fighting book?
One of the best parts of this scene is how you can easily dismiss any spinning moves or flips of being "oh he would have just stabbed him there" because they did the development of them being such honorable gentlemen and having fun with it that it actually fits their characters to let the opponent finish the spin or flip just for their own entertainment.
Totally. They established in their initial dialogue that they were both sportsmen and would not take unfair advantage - the audience knows it and the characters "know it", too. Yes I can turn my back on you and know you won't stab me in a kidney. Yes, I'll let you show off because I'm not going to kill someone who's not looking me in the eyes and actively fighting.
I KNOW!! i always hate when i see so manny missed opportunities in any show or film because it just doesn't make sense, where here i would have not expected anything otherwise
"Audiences don't generally want realistic sword fights; realistic sword fights tend to be fast, subtle, and over quite quickly"
Obi Wan is shaking rn.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE?!
I was just about to mention that.
From when Obi Wan ignites his Saber, there are about 37 seconds of posturing, and it's over in 4 seconds, just 3 moves. But this is a sword fight that started DECADES ago.
@@grimlock1471 Maul vs Obi Wan in Rebels was the best 2 minutes of that entire series and it had absolutely nothing to do with the actual cast of Rebels.
@@trainknut Its a nice call back because Maul tries that hilt hit on Obi Wan again, and gets punished for it.
Came to mention this, to be fair it was a more tense 2 moves then many other duel
Also, I have to say that I almost wept when I saw Inigo start that two-handed hacking. To see someone so talented and so skilled falling into despair... He's spent his entire life doing nothing but train with the sword, and now this masked twit is not just going to beat him, but beat him handily. He knows he will never avenge his father, either; he's going to die at the top of this stupid cliff. The inner rage and sorrow takes away all his confidence, his determination, and his skill; he's left with nothing but fury, like some barroom brawler. Tragic. 😢
True, and you can bet Wesley can see that too. I think he was genuinely sorry even to knock Inigo out. And as Jill pointed out, when Inigo revives, he knows that if he meets Wesley again it will be as friends.
Love this. Surprised Inigo didn't try for a swift knee to the groin in desperation.
"Please. This isn't a bar fight."
It's animated, but an analysis of some Castlevania fights would be seriously awesome.
@@David-dz1cb Castlevania was definitely going for a different tone than Princess Bride. In the former, it's about a bunch of deeply cynical, mal-adjusted people (and Sypha) learning to trust and work together in spite of themselves and the gritty world they live in. The latter is about noble souls meeting on the battlefield and becoming trusting friends through mutual respect and a shared love of fencing, all in a deeply capital-r _Romantic_ world.
And yes, Castlevania's fights should be analyzed, because they are amazing.
I think that moment showed us who Inigo really is. He is not the better fighter. Despite how confident he is in his skills, Westley has him beat by a mile. The fight scene hints at this the whole time. I think Westley was even playing with Inigo when he told him he "wasn't left-handed either." He knew he was in control of the battle and he proved it in the end by switching back to his main hand, disarming his opponent AND cutting off a freaking lock of his hair in one motion. I also think Inigo began to catch on to their difference in ability towards the end of the fight (and definitely afterwards) as later on he seems to acknowledge that "Roberts" has almost supernatural skills with a blade. Inigo trained for revenge. Westley trained for the skill alone yet he still respects Inigo.
It's was his good luck that he landed an opponent that truly respected him as both a duelist and a person. 😁👍🏾
Inigo Montoya is the real hero of this movie and you cannot make me change my mind.
Agreed, I'd watch a whole movie that was just about him, or maybe a TV show.
He's also given a huge amount more time than most other characters in the book as well. He and Fezzik get far more fleshed out.
shouldn’t his name be spelled Iñigo?
+
Why would we want to?
I’m intrigued by the “You seem a decent fellow” exchange. Inigo is technically one of the “bad guys” at this point, lamenting he has to kill a good guy. But Westley counters saying (essentially) “You’re a good guy too.” Vizzini is such a bully to Inigo and Fezzik, they need someone like Westley who believes in them. ❤️
Inigo is in a position where he needs the money to continue the search for his fathers killer but isn't intrinsically bad, as evidenced by the rope and allowing Westley to rest. Their conversation allows Inigo to get an idea of Westley's character and vice versa which with Inigo's previous actions means they are starting with a degree of mutual respect. It's an excellent little exchange.
@@diceman199 Does he want the money to continue the search for his father's killer, or to keep buying alcohol though
@@ironboi7359 My reading was always it starts as the former, becomes the latter when nothing comes of it, then he hits rock bottom where he needs money again and the cycle repeats until he meets Westley. Though that's from having read the book and never watched the movie. (It's on my watch list, I've just never had time to get to it.)
In the grand scheme of the film as a whole, the fight also ended up being a job interview of sorts...
"Now that it's over, I don't know what to do with the rest of my life."
"Have you ever considered piracy? You'd make a wonderful Dread Pirate Roberts."
So random fact, when Inigo Montoya says "My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father.... prepare to DIE!" the actor (Mandy Patinkin) said that the year previous his father had lost a battle with cancer and to honour him when he said those lines, he was really talking to the cancer that took his father from him.... best scene ever
Well, that explains why that line has a soul-chilling intensity beyond other death threats, despite being in a children's movie.
He also said in the shot where he pretended to stab Christopher he pretended he was the cancer.
"I want my father back, you son of a bitch"
@@shealupkes To which Christopher was genuinely afraid of Mandy because of said intensity.
I had just come from Mandy Patinkin's wikipedia page, and remembered his father died of pancreatic cancer in 1972 (just verified it). So... great story, but a little off. My father died last year, and I have a few pretty strong feelings about it; we'll see if it lasts 15 years...I'm older than Mandy Patinkin was then, and probably have fewer things to be really passionate about in my career/life.
You're not wrong to love the dialogue so much, I'm convinced this is one of the most quotable movies that's ever been made
I quite this movie so much! 😂 I once had a friend that would banter with me and between us could quite entire scenes together!
I think The Princess Bride and The Wizard of Oz are tied for most quotable film.
@@Devlinator61116 *Princess Bride and the Star Wars Prequels
@@reese9705 Really? The Star Wars prequels are more quotable than The Wizard of Oz?
@@Devlinator61116 Jedis and Wookies and Ewoks, oh my!
This movie has the most honest depiction of bad guys that I have ever seen. You have guys who are not really bad guys, a middleman who seems to be the bad guy but isn't really, a refined gentleman who is just evil and opportunistic, and the prince who is really the bad guy. Love this movie!
I love yoor pfp :P
I do love that nobody seems to be on the side of 'right' truly. Only their own side.
@@katelim51 omg i love yoo
Inigo doesn't just want to kill the six-fingered man. He wants to kill the six-fingered man with that specific sword.
He never actually says it either. Which in this case would undermine it.
Head cannon: While Inigo fought left-handed to make the fight more interesting, Wesley fought left-handed because he knew he was good enough to beat the average swordsman quickly with his off hand. He was saving his good hand for later in the day because he didn't know what else he would be facing and wanted it to not be fatigued.
That actually rings a bell from the book. Might just have been a bell you put there, but I like that reasoning a lot.
From my old fencing days, I remember being told that left-handers can sometimes have a slight advantage over right-handers because left-handers present a different target area.
No, no. He started with his left hand because he is a sportsman, like Inigo. They both begin left-handed for the same reason, but only Inigo has someone to talk to for expositional dialogue.
@@nilsniemeier5345 I did fencing awhile back for exercise, and while my footwork was slow and I had lower stamina because I was heavy AF, the instructors said that my lefthandedness, and my wrist and hand speed -- perhaps from being a musician? -- made up for a lot of it. I personally thought that left vs right would be a little easier for both fencers as the attacks aren't coming from "across" so much.
@@davedixon2167 Wouldn't the advantage be more that you, as a lefthander, fight righthanders all the time, but your righthanded opponents rarely fight a lefthander? I think that if there were just as many lefthanders as righthanders, you'd be correct, and it would be equal, but as it is you end up with an experience advantage.
Unironically ludicrously happy that at the end of the "get used to disappointment" clip, you included Mandy Patinkin's *pitch* *perfect* shrugging "okay".
It was just so perfect. I could not resist.
Jill Bearup Because of.....how much you love the dialogue.
@@JillBearup I love this movie however I'd like to point out that soon as Inigo becomes a pirate the friendship with him and Westley are over because pirates are not decent gentlemen.
the reality is not all movies have the happily ever after story endings that many are so familiar with.
@@patrickwentzell4638 but that's the point made in the novel they may live happily eventually, or for a time, but in the moment the prince is freed and calling his guards so they must flee at least for the moment. Goldman had two perfect contributions to the entertainment industry, his screenplay and his novel. Sadly it's the 3rd anniversary of his passing as well.
@@cericat
good points made I do enjoy thinking outside the storyline often I've also come up with silly titles Lechturegeist, Slenderella, Trumpkinhead, and Grooters I have strange hobbies ya know got lots of time here at home.
Even more amazing swordsmanship when you realise Cary Elwes had broken his toe before this scene. Apparently, if you look closely enough you can see him stepping lightly with one foot.
The best part of the story (and I recall it being his ankle not his toe) was that he sustained the injury screwing around on Andre the Giant's golf cart after being egged on by Andre.
@@joncarroll2040 it was his toe that he broke. Elwes described the incident in his book on the making of the film.
@@joncarroll2040 iirc it was a Honda Big Red ATC. One of the few things Andre could easily fit on. I know he had them for his farm where he raised Long Horns.
Crazy that this movie got stuck in development hell for so long, and then when they finally make their "parody" they succeed in making simply one of the best fantasy movies ever.
I know right? Princess Bride is such a masterpiece.
As a HEMA practitioner the fact that they name drop actual rapier masters in this fight makes me unreasonably aroused.
I forget the details but apparently those name drops work as an in-joke about the drawings in those masters books. Something about how the fight diagrams (but not the fighting style) match what the characters are doing in the film.
@@jacobvardy I'm not actually sure. I don't practice Rapier. Definitely doesn't look like Agrippa to me, based on like a singular lesson.
William Goldman mentioned them in more detail in the book as well, so those lines were also a subtle reference to the book as well.
@@arandomstartreknerd7261 I didn't know that, that's fantastic.
@@nateskinner97 If I remember correctly, William Goldman directed the movie, so it has a lot of references (and sometimes direct quotes) from the book.
This scene made me pick up fencing. Though I was disappointed that there was less flipping and flourishing.
It's never too late to transition from fencing to stage fencing!
As Westley said, get used to disappointment
For me it was this plus Zorro the Gay Blade. "You see I have a point?" "Indeed, it must be difficult to find a hat that fits it properly!" Sword fight dialogue.
This one and the sword fight from "The court jester" both contributed equally for me.
@@arunandre Oh yes, love old Danny Kaye movies.
In the book version, Inigo screamed the line "Who are you?" (with italics and everything) while Westley remained calm. I think the movie did that better. Also, the best explanation I ever heard for the slight cheesiness of the movie's set designs was that it was a fantasy novel as imagined by an 80's kid.
This fight always held the crown of “best fight between masters who just want to show off for each other but situation demands they fight”
One final detail: the thunk when Wesley hits Inigo's head is real. Carey Elwes misjudged the blow.
ouch. That must have sucked.
@@SWIFTO_SCYTHE Carey Elwes gets some karma when Count Rugen clunked him on the head; the actor put too much force into it and actually knocked him unconscious in the shot they use in the film.
I don't think so. In Cary Elwes' book, he says that they filmed it from that angle so he could avoid hitting Patinkin at all. They were being extra careful because Elwes had been hurt earlier when they shot the scene where Westley gets knocked out.
@@andrewlance3898 That, and the fact that Plummer hit him with a real sword pommel because they didn't have a rubber one on hand.
Minor correction, Count Rugen was played by Christopher Guest, not Christopher Plummer.
Westley won, because he's the only one with an actual British accent.
Whoops, wrong movie.
This is a wild boar. That is a wild pig.
Maybe we should send the dummies into battle...
And you, Mr Acevedo, win the Internet for Tuesday.
Yes, Tuesday, cuz that's when I read your comment.
Jeremy Crouch NOT KOSHER! (The sheriff said that)
I genuinely thought that Cary Elwes was English because of these 2 movies. Then he pops up in the X Files with his own accent. I felt robbed. 😂
I love this fight, and also that Inigo gets that incredible moment later where he takes out four guards in less than two seconds. It kind of helps reinforce that he really IS that good.
"Kill the Spaniard and the Giant, but leave the third for questioning ". Then the Count turning tail is GOLD!
You know, I never really thought of this before but you'll notice that, when Wesley cuts Inigo's hair, Inigo's hand immediately goes to his cheek. Last time he had someone strike out toward his face like that was the man who marked his cheeks and Inigo is checking for blood. He is, in a way, taken back to his childhood for just a second and reliving the day he was scarred.
I've watched the movie several times, and never really picked up on he cut a lock of this hair! (Maybe I need to watch it again...)
And the fact that Cary Elwes filmed this whole sequence with a bloody broken toe... Seriously if you want to be *even more* in awe of how incredible this whole scene is, read "As You Wish" by Elwes. The he talks with such reverence and humor about all the trials, tribulations, and training that led up to film day makes the whole thing so much better.
I LOVE IT that Cary Elwes points out in "As You Wish" that he and Mandy Patinkin got so good at this fight in practice, that when they actually started filming it, they were TOO fast, and it was over with before the time Rob Reiner had allotted for the sequence! The fact that they had to ad-lib additional material to fill out the time, just breaks my brain.
How long did it take to shoot this 5-minute sword fight. An entire shooting day? More?
There is an NPR program with Cary and they are talking about that book, and he tells the story of exactly how he broke his toe. Its more than slightly humorous. Of course, if you really want that, read the section about Miracle Max.
@@dantreadwell7421 The Audible version of the book is amazing, with Cary reading the large portion and several of the actors giving their points of view. It is an extremely entertaining listen.
I really should pick up a hard copy and see if there is anything added in the audible version...
@@Deckape75 I would imagine so. I have the kindle version, may have to look into the audible. I mean, I have credits lying around.
True love. Hmpff. He said, "to blaaaaave." Which we all know means, "to bluff." Probably lost money in a game of cards or something.
LIAR! LIAR! LIARRRRRRRRRRR!
Get out of here, or I'll call the brute squad.
I'm on the brute squad.
You are the brute squad
This exchange reminds me of a break-room episode where I used to work. This film was on the TV, and I was sitting with a couple of other employees: none of us knew each other. But we recited all of the links a fraction of a second before the TV. A great shared experience! (Especially since they were in their 20s and I was about 60).
I had the very good fortune of assisting Cary Elwes at a Comic-Con. It is endearing, how excitedly he talks about this scene and the process that went into it. I introduced him to a friend of mine who was a fencing instructor. His eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas.
Hats off to you for your thorough research on the background on this fight!
Swordfighting between two people who don't actually hate each other, and don't want to kill each other ... done to perfection
The tone of The Princesses bride is perfect in every scene
"Spinning, that's a good trick!" -Some kid that got his arms and legs cut off
Haha haha 🤣
His name is Mat. He lays on the doorstep.
I was in this film! Filmed at Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, I was part of the crowd that Andre the Giant 'I am the Brute squad' in flaming coat chased away.
That's really cool! If I'd been in this film I would wear that title like a medal of honour. Hope you're having a great day, friend! :)
I'd have run, too
This is a parody done so extraordinarily well that it turns out as one of the most serious and briliant movies ever.
I mean, the fight is described in the book and the script as "The Greatest Sword Fight Ever Known" so a simple 50-60 move fight simply wouldn't do lol
Wow. The algorithm is on FIRE tonight. I never thought I'd enjoy a 17-minute analysis of a 5-minute sword fight, but I did.
And I'm sort of wondering what side comments we are going to get in the upcoming virtual table read of the movie, with as many people as they could get.
“Swash that buckler” 😂
Best line ever
i never even noticed the last pair of hand swaps! they were so good at the swordplay it looked totally natural and effortless that i didn't notice it at all.
My name is Jonathan Campbell.
You posted this on my birthday.
Prepare to...have my gratitude, because Princess Bride.
I took an intro to fencing class in college, 30+ years ago, and the instructor was a woman was a former national-level fencer who absolutely loved this movie. One day instead of our regular class she brought in a tv and VCR and played this scene for us, and pointed out all the fencing moves as well as the "that looks flashy, but don't do that" moves. This video brought back fond memories of that. Plus, it was fun. Thanks :)
I have a very similar memory. University of Maryland?
I am always amazed at all of the subtle things in movies that tell my subconscious things. Also "Stunt doubles, but only for the flippy parts" brought me so much joy.
‘You were expecting a scrappy fight between two bad men, well you’re getting an honorary duel between gentlemen’
Cracking up. Love this movie, fight and fight/story/characterisation analysis so much. This video is just great.
Can... can we do the other Princess Bride sword fight? The "My name is..." well you know the fight im talking about.
WHERE DID HE KEEP THOSE KNIVES THE WITCH
Chicka-chicka- slim shady?
Or we can just put down our weapons and kill each other like civilised people.
Pleeease cover this one, even if it’s short
I get goose bumps every single times at the end of that fight!
I'm going to throw a bit context from the book, which has spent a lot of time with Inigo's backstory by this point. After his father's death he went to Yeste: the second greatest swordmaker in Spain and a good friend of his father's who took him in. He promised to learn to fence to take his revenge, and trained a while under Yeste. The book details his training more, but as a young teenager he runs away, feeling he has learned all he can from his Spanish master, and finds masters all over the world to train with. After 10 years away he returns to Yeste, to ask if he has achieved mastery of the sword yet. Yeste tells Inigo that he is no master, but that there is a rank above master that only one in a generation of fencers ever achieve. He declares Inigo a wizard with the sword.
He goes looking for the six fingered man. But cannot find him. If he needs money he duels the local champions and wins the prize pots. (I think - I can't remember that detail). But as his search for revenge grows longer, his despair grows larger. And his opponents bore him, for none has the skill to trouble him. Even left handed. He succumbs into depression and alcohol, which is where Vizzini finds him.
When he first meets the man in black he is *itching* for a duel against a worthy opponent. He is delighted to see his opponent duel him left handed "my weakness against his strength". I think his fight against the man in black - his first worthy opponent since he finished his training over a decade ago - is the first time he felt truly thrilled to be alive since his father died. Of course, he bested by the better man, because it's Westley's story and that's how this genre works.
And if you want to know how Rugen got one over on the (second) greatest fencer of the generation, you'll have to read the book. You won't regret it. I promise.
The written version of this sword fight was the first I ever heard of the Princess Bride. It was in a collection of stories called "The Best of All Possible Worlds" edited by Spider Robinson where he picked his favorite short stories and had the authors pick their theirs. The fight scene was the only one that was an excerpt rather than a complete story.
Honestly, I think the written version is one of the best fight scenes of all time and a lot of the movie scene comes directly from the book, including most of the dialogue you like so much.
One slight nitpick to the description above. Westley, in the book, was NOT the better swordsman. What he does is draw Inigo into fighting on open ground where Westley is just slightly better. Otherwise, Inigo would have won. In other words, Westley uses his wits to defeat Inigo, just as he does with Fezzik and the Sicilian.
But anyhow, if you like the movie, I can't recommend the book enough, though it is not really a children's book. Well, the Princess Bride part is (well, the edited version anyhow), but it is surrounded by the story of the story and how Goldman came to translate it from the original Morganstern classic.
@@torinju Ah! Yes, I forgot that wrinkle about the skill levels. My account was done from memory, and I haven't read the book in about a year and a half. My bad. Thanks for the correction. :-)
@@arkadye Well, it was a minor nitpick like I said. Just glad to have an opportunity to talk about one of my all time favorite books.
@@torinju That detail in the book that Westley fights better on open ground, while Inigo is better at fighting around obstacles, always confused me. Since Westley has presumably been primarily fighting on pirate ships, you would think he would be more used to fighting around obstacles.
@@Blokewood3 Hmmm... Well, it's not like Westley is bad at fighting around obstacles, it's just that he is up against the greatest swordsman in the world.
I saw this movie twice in the theater. No one else at my school knew about it, so I dragged my friend to see it with me the second time. We were only one of two groups in the theater and we laughed hysterically. This movie is a treasure.
only twice? I think I saw it about 10 times. I adored this movie, love the book just as much.
@@GoddessNeith oh believe me, I wanted to see it more. But, I was just 12 or 13 at the time, and my parents thought even one time was enough. Lol
A couple years ago a small theatre near my home did an anniversary showing. Legitimately, I think that was the only time I invited people to go see a movie with me.
This sword fight is easily the sword fight I measure every fight scene in just about every movie against. Its perfect, or near enough. The audience always knows whats going on and who is doing what, its exciting, has a couple good plot hooks involved, and involves a high degree of skill from the actors. It accomplishes what the film needs brilliantly.
There's an explanation for Inigo's fancy sword; this is the sword his father made for the man with 6 fingers who was a lord or kingsman so he would want a fancy sword.
The moment you opened the video by talking about how ‘realistic/historical’ sword fighting doesn’t fit cinema, it was like a breath of fresh air. I’ve seen too many HEMA people dismiss this fight for its lack of realism/historical basis, and had to hold back my desperate cry of ‘but that’s not even the POINT here!’ So, from the bottom of my stage combat loving heart, THANK YOU!
Interesting point jumping off of what you said about the weight of the swords: yes, they are much lighter than even a stage rapier, because they and this fight weren’t meant to be based on rapier fighting at all. As you said, this movie calls back to early Hollywood swashbucklers (and is, itself, a product of a time less interested in perfectly recapturing historical technique), and the style of fighting developed for those early films.
(Here in the states, the SAFD-Society of American Fight Directors-classifies this style of combat as ‘Single Sword,’ but I don’t know what other organizations would call it, if anything.)
It’s a fun style with almost no historical basis whatsoever, and is nowadays usually performed with a sword that I can only call an unholy hybrid of a rapier, a small sword, and a saber (saber hilt, edged, straight blade like a rapier, but as light as a small sword), and according to my teacher, was initially developed based on Olympic saber fencing technique, but worked in/developed quite a bit of its own showiness and flashy moments that…lack practicality, but make it oh, so much fun to watch, learn, and do.
(I spent an entire semester-long stage combat class focused on Singe Sword combat, so I’m going to stop my ramble here before it gets too long, but I will mention that this is the fight that I blame for my teacher’s decision to include an extended left-handed section in the fight we learned.)
Single Sword is definitely a thing here in the U.K. The APC requires a kind of sword and an unarmed qualification at Basic level (plus one more) to progress to intermediate. There are various other kinds of sword that can be learned too. I have a soft spot for 18th century smallsword, I must admit. 😁 I fear I love swords more than they love me, though!
@@JillBearup I hear you there: Single sword and Sword and Shield have to be my favorite styles, but my budget and my schedule don't love them nearly as much. Hopefully that changes sooner rather than later, I miss doing stage combat.
I feel like a lot of HEMA people (myself included) find fights like this exasperating because there are SO many cool things you can do with a sword and all we get from Hollywood is what I call "wiggle-swat-flail" fighting. It's exasperating, tedious, and destroys suspension of disbelief. Adorea's channel has some amazing fights using historical techniques and they're fan-f*cking-tastic.
That said, this movie gets away with it for me because it never takes ANYTHING seriously, so its silly fighting is not a break in tone or genre and fits perfectly. It's hilarious and fun and gets the fondest of eyerolls.
Yeah but like The Duelists.
I disagree with the notion that Historical fighting doesn't fit the movie, but I agree that Many HEMA people (or more often, people who are pure spectators) can take their opinions and shove it up their ass because they don't know what context is.
The line delivery with the continuous flow of action is what really sells this fight for me.
The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's just a masterpiece of a film. Everything it sets out to do, it does with excellence.
"Could you imagine this fight with the short cuts popular in modern films?"
::Flashbacks to "Taken 3" and "Alex Cross"::
Yeah, that's like... "Michael Bay" levels of "ruining my childhood" right there, Jill.
You’re welcome!
See the reprehensible 2001 film, "The Musketeer", for an example of this style of editing.
@@admanios
Why why why would you bring that up!?
It would be super do the choreography for. Audience will be blind from all the bright flashes in near pitch black so they wouldn't need to worry about the choreography looking good. Hell you only need 3-4 moves repeated over and the audience wouldn't be able to tell since they can't see shit.
"Could you imagine this fight with the short cuts in modern films?"------NO.
What's funny about the whole "I'm not left handed" part of this film, is that left handed fencers actually tend to have an advantage over right handed fencers. Mostly because, right handed fencers probably don't have a lot of experience fighting against left hander, but also because they are positioning their body differently as a right handed fencer-that if the right hander doesn't have the angles of their attack right-it becomes easier to miss or have your blade slide off them. Plus their parries tend to push the attacking blade far more outside outside of the strike zone
True, but the point of the "I'm not left handed" reveal x2 is that they are fighting with their non-dominant and less practiced hand. Even if it might be more tactical to fight whatever the swordsmans equivalent of southpaw is, it's still going to hold you back if that's not how you trained the better part of your life.
Like pitching to a left handed batter for the first time in little league. When I was a kid, a lot of left-handed batters took a base after getting beaned, they freaked out the pitchers that bad.
At summer camp, I can still remember facing off with a left handed fencer. Yes, I was a kid. No, none of us was all that good, but I was earnest, and we had an Olympic fencer as a coach and real equipment. I was baffled at first. Then thought, he is at the same disadvantage as I am, and changed my technique. And it worked. I will keep that as my 12 year old fencing glory memory.
Jes, but its more easy to hit your heart if you fight with your left hand. Since in a real fight you would show only your side and not the front of your torso.
@@molybdaen11 Never thought of that. I always sparred with either armor or LARP rules.
i luv so much how every scar the count gives inigo, he gets himself from inigo- the cheekbone scars, the left and right jab, and lastly, the stab in the gut. it's so amazing
I thought it was supposed to be in the heart.
@@addisonrules2522 idk a final stab in the trunk. gut and heart are close enough to make it work
@@katiescheuermann1086 true
I absolutely love how you acknowledge that some of the moves are unrealistic and explain what they add to the movie despite this. So many videos about movie fighting only talk about how certain moves are unrealistic and conclude that this somehow does nothing but detract from the quality of the film. I really appreciate your approach.
"Swash that buckler." Thank you *so* much!
"I'll try spinning, that's a good trick" --Anakin Skywalker
"Don't Underestimate My _P O W E R_ "
11:28 that high ground wasn't very helpful huh?
My mother rented this film for us based solely on the VHS box at the local video rental place. By the time this fight started, we were all totally invested in the film. But to our family this was a jaw dropping sequence. To this day it remains a joy to watch and even though I know the film front to back and this fight front to back, it still feels new to me. It still impresses me and that's the tragedy of this film which was totally underappreciated when it was first released.
Thank you so much for your commentary and for showing me this treasured scene through a new perspective.
Jill: No pun intended...
Narrator: The pun was absolutely intended.
I just watched the Princess Bride again last night.
Timing couldn't be more perfect
Inconceivable.
Update; little sister is working on a rewrite were "Buttercup actually does things, c'mon won't Feral Buttercup be awesome"
There is at least the beginning of “Buttercup’s Baby” on the Internet.
@@WilliamPitcher you keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
I just watched it a couple weeks ago and now I have to watch it again
One "realistically long" sword fight in a visual medium is Maul v Obi-Wan in "Star Wars: Rebels". Two or three moves long and yet it says a massive amount about character. Having said that, part of its effectiveness is that it comes in the the context of innumerable looooong Star Wars lightsaber fights.
I love how the fight was pretty much already over before it had even started. I think I saw a video breaking it down, and it was mostly a psychological fight
@@victoriaflanders8739 I think I know which one you're talking about. Obi-Wan baited Maul into trying to kill him the same way he killed Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan anticipated it and prepared a counter that was but a simple kendo-slash.
That fight, unlike the one in Phantom Menace, was a fight that was the punctuation on the scene, not the scene itself.
I've not yet watched any of the animated Star Wars movies, but detoured to find that fight scene.
Dayum. Excellent choreography, dialogue and framing.
Yea that final fight is probably the most realistic fight in all of StarWars, in the sense of having the speed and subtlety of a real sword fight.
As a stage combat choreographer who seeks out these types of videos, how the hell did I just find you now?!
Princess Bride is legit my favorite movie of all time, btw!
“Since the invention of the kiss, there have only been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.”: The Princess Bride in a nutshell.
i have no idea why this was in my recommendations but this was fascinating, thank you!
Welcome! 😁
u sure you haven't watched any skallagrim videos?
@@phillipanselmo8540 me or Laura? 😁 I have watched his Princess Bride video, mostly to make sure I wasn’t just retreading what someone else had said. (And a few others, but I can’t remember which ones)
@@phillipanselmo8540 I've never heard of him. What kinds of videos does he do?
@@laurawatford8713 Historical swordfighting, reviews of modern reconstructions of swords and also straight-up modern sword designs, the odd thing about firearms and just generally that style of thing. Haven't watched him in a hot second but I've been meaning to go back and binge because it's generally really entertaining and interesting.
I don't really know why, but "the plot, it goeth thusly" makes me so happy each time. :)
The music over the fight also perfectly tells the story, especially the opening "test" part as the music also tests itself before fully launching itself.
As a fan of Errol Flynn growing up, I loved this movie. The homage to those fighting scenes were so good. This scene had me crying in joy & laughing all at the same time!!
This really touches on why I have so little love for modern action movies. They all seem to use action as fluff and filler without realizing that almost more than other films who just have action as a small element, action in action movies NEED to tell the story.
As for The Princess Bride itself, you really get that sense that everyone involved was having a great time making the movie. The forward by Mandy Patinkin for the... er 20th? 25th? anniversary novelization of the movie is such a great read and really confirms that they had that great time making it.
The entire film is just such a great example of excellent film making.
Modern action movies are SO busy shoving camera cut after camera cut up in face, bordering on visual nausea, that they don't know to let a movie B-R-E-A-T-H. As as a result there is no contrast, no build up -- just a constant five-year-old screaming "Look at me! Look at me!" Directors are more focused on Form over Function that they don't know how to respect your time or mind anymore.
Now compare and contrast with, say the first 20 minutes of, _The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly._ You can cut the tension with a knife -- and it is amazing.
@@MichaelPohoreski older movies have long cuts and panning to show where in the set the main character is in relation to his surroundings. But its lost on modern audiences. Tried showing Omega man starting charlton heston - after we saw The inferior version with Will Smith I am legend. Nephew could not stop laughing at Neville's captains hat and the older movie was too boring too slow. Im like... what? The new version you dont know whats happening too many cuts too many camera angles too fast too much CGI
SWIFTO-SAN Agreed 100%!
@@MichaelPohoreski Name twomodern action movies that do this. You probably can't. Only one I can think of is the Borne movies, which pioneered the rapid cut fights and actually does it really well if you pay attention.
The MCU, John Wick, Kingsman. James Bond. We're living in a golden age of action cinema. No one spams cuts anymore. Taken hasn't been a relevant action franchise since the first one. You're just making it up.
@@nonuvurbeeznus795 Have you even _watched_ any action movies in the last 15 years??? Transformers, Star Trek, Taken 2 and 3, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Batman Begins, Quantum of Solace, Mad Max: Fury Road, Last Knights, along with crap like John Wick and Kingman that you mentioned.
These shitty Fast Cuts and Shaky Cam are used by lazy directors. I first noticed this crap in _Batman (1989)_ but it exists at _least_ far back as _Psycho (1960)._
Compare and contrast to GOOD cuts like _Enter the Dragon, Matrix, Hero,_ where you can actually _follow and enjoy_ the action scenes.
Cary Elwes did all of this with a broken toe. After being peer pressured by Andre The Giant to ride an ATV, Cary tipped his toes down and one of them broke on a rock. Three weeks later, they filmed this fight with him not completely healed. The quick cuts in movie fights, as you know Jill, are for performers who don't know what they are doing. Whereas long takes at wide angle are for those who do the work and learn. This movie saved me when I only had a few bars of music to choreograph the fight between the pirates and the constables in the PIRATES OF PENZANCE. That flip Inigo does off the rocks? We had levels on our stage set and got the constables lined up while I flipped over their heads and landed in front of them. They crumbled in fear (in character) and surrendered.
To give credence to the magnificence of this fight and film, hearing you break it down, and knowing all the care and craft that went into nearly made me tear up. And yes, Joy of Life sums it up nicely.
This movie was great when I originally saw it and has never lost it's shine through the years. I'm convinced no one in Hollywood can make such a fun and entertaining movie like this anymore.
Inigo and Westley is the real love story of the film, and the “sword fight” is their sweaty first date.
Meh, bromance story. But still agree
@@esppupsnkits4560 Not all love is romantic; but all love *is* love.
you're so right!!
5:50 Hah, I had genuinely never noticed that Wesley was drawing with his left hand even before Inigo let him rest. That's really funny, considering what it says about Wesley's confidence levels. ... ... ... And I now have a new headcanon that Wesley always pretended to be left-handed as DP Roberts, as part of the act. :-)
Jason Blalock You want to know what I noticed on my last watch? As they come out of the fire swamp, and Prince Humperdink’s men come after him, Wesley is also using his left hand there!!
@@strider3164 OK, that kind of makes a strong argument for my "DP Roberts is left-handed" idea. It would also be a concrete reason why Inigo would be a good pick to take over the role.
I literally saw the princess bride for the first time 13 days after this video come out. Loved it, and loved the video. As an archer I always looked critically to archery scene, its so good to watch someone analyze sword-fighting for a noob like me
Ms. Bearup; I started watching you when I was trying to recreate the classic swordfighting scene between The Man In Black and Indigo Montoya from The Princess Bride and I came across your piece bearing the subtitle "Perfectly Subversive". Your personal experience in (mock) swordplay and your shameless love of the subject matter, delivered with your intelligent wit, had me watching yet another of your pieces, "Could A Corset Stop A Knife?"
When I discovered that your incisive analysis extended to movies that I had seen, books that I had read (and had been turned into movies), social phenomena (such as fanfics) and more, I was delighted. I am now binge-watching your stuff and neglecting my work. Thank you.
I love the part that you said "dramatic poses", where they mentioned Thibault earlier, that pose is directly from the writings OF Thibault. He had a very odd upright pose in his fighting style. All the dialog actually refers to real fencing masters. So many wonderful layers of perfection. 😍
The geek in me did backflips of joy when Honor Harrington was brought up at the beginning. Her duel with Burdette was two pages of pure tension and the coup de grace was incredibly satisfying.
Such a satisfying end to an over inflated fool! Love the Honor Harrington novels.
Seeing this analysis brought back so much of the awe I felt watching this as a little kid. The Princess Bride is such a masterpiece, and as I understand more complicated emotional and storytelling concepts, I just love it more. Thank you for this.
Have you seen “The Scarlet Pimpernel”? Another great sword fight in that one!
Jill: "Are you going to nitpick it? I'm not going to nitpick it--"
Nando bursts into her recording room "... UNLIKE MY PODCAST, MOSTLY NITPICKING."
You forgot Bob Anderson's most well known work, and why i do know him by sight: he was the fight instructor /choreographer for LORD OF THE FREAKING RINGS 😍
Speaking of, weathertop or amon hen fights from fellowship would be fun videos!
Love your work, as always
(whispers) I do not actually like Lord of the Rings very much. Neither the movies nor the books. Shhhhh. No one will EVER KNOW.
@@JillBearup Jill....Jill, Jill, Jill...Is there EVEN repentance for that? (I have good ears. I heard your whisper.)
@@JillBearup Not to seem dissmissing of your oppinion but is there any specific reason why you dont like them? If you are just not that into them thats perfectly valid but i would love to know if there is something you find especially unappealing.
@ ScriptKeeper Those are more battles than duels. On Weathertop, there's barely any swordplay except for vague cuts of Aragorn briefly clashing blades and whipping a torch around. On Amon Hen, the only real duel is Aragorn v. Lurtz (the last orc), and it lasts less than a minute and takes fewer than 30 moves (and only about four phrases) - even that is more "battle" than a duel.
John Wendel the fight with Lurtz is what i was thinking of. For being only 30 moves, it's a climactic fight
The Princess Bride is still one of my all-time favorite movies. Legend, The Fifth Element, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy are up there as well, but The Princess Bride is just above them. This was a fantastic video, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A couple weeks ago, I saw a parody puppet show version of the Princess Bride. It was amazing.
I love this scene. It's wonderfully cinematic and you can quote it any number of circumstances, like cooking, painting, fixing your car, or hanging out with your lady after a date.
Always nice to hear someone remember that it's swashing the buckler rather than buckling the swash.
What i love about The Princess Bride fight is they actually reference sword-fighting manuals during the duel.
All things put together, this scene is probably closest that cinema has ever come to perfect joy.
8:14 - that was 100% intended, and I refuse to believe otherwise.
Sharp of you to pick up on that
Hate to be blunt, @@IrishCarney. But this is ridiculous.
@@jasminemiller7485 I take your point
"Could you even imagine this film with modern short cuts" CUTS "Could you imagine a 230 move..."CUTS" It just wouldn't work". Are...are we being trolled? Beartrolled, even?
If you are being trolled, it’s a very gentle trolling. 😁
@@JillBearup If? :D
12:54 - THAT upward thrown hand switch by Wesley, just....., MWAH, Chef's Kiss! 😍 Haha
I remember seeing somewhere on r/LGBT that this swordfight had the biggest bisexual energy for both combatants
They literally swing with both hands
Have you watched Stardust? It's like The Princess Bride, and the sword fight near the end of the movie is quite interesting
Omg I would love to see an analysis on Stardust
Haha, Yes, Stardust
Video suggestion: La Llorona dance sequence from Coco analyzed as a fight.
Comedy done sincerely is a simple premise that is difficult to execute but is absolutely wonderful whenever someone manages it.
Inigo vs. Wesley is the most awesome swordfight in Hollywood history, and the dialogue really is the best part!
13:38 "suitable for children so it can't be too scary"
[laughs in 80's PG]
I'd also love to point how well the accompanying soundtrack perfectly matches the choreography throughout this movie. If you listen to just the soundtrack in order with all of the musical cues you can play out each scene in your head and that helps enhance how memorable the film is. It's definitely one of my favorite movies of all time.
The day after seeing the movie, I went out and bought the book and the soundtrack--on cassette tape. I've bought the CD since, and at least 2 more copies of the book due to losing it. And yes, I can listen to the music and know exactly what they are doing.
07:50 aww missed opportunity for a pun - "You wouldn't know him by sight, but you would know him by fight" :-P