By the Sword

By the Sword is a 1991 movie starring F. Murray Abraham and Eric Roberts, about fencing. Max Suba (Abraham) has just been released from prison, and is seeking a job as a fencing instructor at his old school. The Maestro, Villard (Roberts), disagrees, as his form is terrible, but agrees to hire him as a janitor. Over the course of the weeks leading to Nationals, Suba gets back into shape, and becomes a part time instructor for the beginners. The two secretly have a history together, and is discovered over time, leading to a climactic duel between the two.

What makes this film noteworthy is that it is the first feature film about the sport of fencing, something no other film had previously revolved around.

Not to be confused with the book of the same name by Mercedes Lackey.


 * Born in the Wrong Century: Villard wonders what it would be like to actually fight to the death.
 * Duel to the Death: What caused
 * Retired Badass: Max Suba, rusty, and in serious need of practice, but when he does, watch out.
 * Sword Fight: It's a movie about fencing, what did you expect?
 * Sword Over Head:
 * Training Montage: When Suba begins teaching, the St. Jude students go through this by Max's teaching.