Film, Theatre & Books
So far just a list of my personal favourites. But with time an outline and link to some of the inspiring fiction that has testified to the abiding interest in European Martial arts throughout the ages.
Books & plays
The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas :More
It's barely possible to talk of sword fighting and duelling without mentioning The Musketeers. The story takes place in France in the 1600's and follows the exploits of 4 fascinating but flawed characters as they struggle against enormous odds to help their beleaguered Queen. Written in the 1800's this book contains much of what would today be considered redundant detail, but somehow it only serves to enhance the feel for the time, it's pomp and ceremony, it's convoluted guiles and intrigues.
The Three Musketeers is the first of 5 books that follow the story of the same 4 characters. A story that includes the tale of 'The Man in the Iron Mask'. The books are all quite long, but long as they are, they seem far too short by the end of the fifth book.
For more information about the Musketeers books and Alexander Dumas see the Dumas Pere site.
The Three Musketeers - NEW
The Three Musketeers - USED
The Fencing Master by Arturo Perez-Reverte :More
A farely new book set in Spain in the mid to late 1800's, and following the tale of an aged fencing master at the end of the age of duelling.
A very evocative book that successfully conjures up images and impressions of a Spanish summer, much technical sword play carefully interwoven with elegant narrative to make this book very enjoyable to the non fencer and captivating to the duellist.
For more information about The Fencing Master and Arturo Perez-Reverte see the The Bastulli Mystery Library site.
The Fencing Master 
Cyrano De Bergerac by Edmond Rostand :More
Written at the end of the 1800's, this story revolves around the poet, philosopher and swordsman who is Cyrano de Bergerac and his vicarious love affair with Roxanne. Supposedly based upon the life of a certain Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac, duellist and satirist in the mid 1600's.
Cyrano was first written and performed in the mid 1890's to great acclaim, and has since been considered a rare classic.
Cyranosite.
Cyrano De Bergerac - NEW
Cyrano De Bergerac - USED
Don Quixote by Miquel de Cervantes :More
One of the oldest European novels in existence. Written in the early 1600's, this story follows the exploits of an aged scholar who decides to live the life of the chivalric romances that he has long studied. Whether Don Quixote is mad or supersane it is for the reader to decide, but his aspiration to lead a more noble and self fulfilling life will doubtless strike many a familiar chord to the modern swordsman.
In writing style this book is definitely the product of a former age, but it is still very enjoyable and easy to read.
For more information on the story of Don Quixote or the amazing life of Cervantes see the Cervantes site.
Don Quixote - NEW
Don Quixote - USED
Films & stagecraft
William Hobbs :More
William Hobbs is undoubtedly one the formost stage combat artists around, and has worked on a very respectable list of swordfighting classics including: Willow, Excalibur, The Three Musketeers, The Four Musketeers, The Return of the Musketeers, The Man in the Iron Mask, Cyrano De Bergerac, The Duellists, Dangerous Liasons and Rob Roy.
For more information about William Hobbs and his films see the Legends site.
Swordplay on the screen :More
This is a very informative collection of pages all about swordplay on the screen, details films and actors going right back to the VERY early 1900's up until the 1940's. Biographical info on Douglas Fairbanks, Errol Flynn, Rudolph Valentino and many more. These pages are however just part of the Silents Majority site which is in the process of migrating to this new site. Will attempt to update the link as and when the pages are moved.
Swordplay on the screen
Highlander :More
The first Highlander film can only be described as a cult classic, directed by Russel Mulcahey and starring Christoph Lambert, Sean Connery and Clancy Brown. The is the story of a race of immortals who must hunt and fight one another through the centuries until there is only one remaining. The story focuses on Connor Macleod a 14th century highland warrior and his struggle to adapt to a changing world as the final immortals gather together to fight for the prize.
Unfortunately Highlander has several sequels and a spin off televistion series all of which do much to dilute and undermine the many qualities and moments of brilliance in the first film. I can't recommend the original highly enough or the avoidance of the sequels and TV series strongly enough.
Highlander
The Princess Bride :More
A fantastic film based on the book by William Goldman. The story is a story of true love in true fairy tale fashion but with a thoroughly refreshing touch of practicality and foolishness. Famous for it's superbly crafted sword fights and cameo cast.
The Duellists :More
"General Feraud has made occasional attempts to kill me. That does not give him the right to claim my acquaintance."
Ridley Scott's first feature, The Duellists, from "The Duel" by Joseph Conrad. The story of a long-running feud between two Napoleonic officers (Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine), the film is a sequence of grudge matches, played out with swords and with pistols, on horseback and in the snow, fight after fight after fight.
This review shamelessly stolen from the Legends site.
The story follows the life of the cavalier Lagardère and his attempt to keep a sacred promise whilst revenging the person that he made the promise to. Set in pre-revolutionary France, this is a period film with an enthralling storyline, excellent swordplay and first rate acting.
The Three Musketeers :More
Not quite got around to this yet.
Return of the Musketeers :More
Not quite got around to this yet.
The Mask of Zorro :More
Not quite got around to this yet.
Errol Flynn films :More
Not quite got around to this yet.
Home/
Update/
Societies/
Arms&/
Treatise/
Fiction/
Events/
New Soc's/
Books/
Articles &/
Links/
E-mail
< >
| 
