Watch By the Sword

By the Sword is a 1991 film which revolves around the world of fencing, the sport of sword fighting. The movie is directed by Jeremy Paul Kagan, and features an impressive cast comprising of F. Murray Abraham, Eric Roberts, Mia Sara, and Christopher Rydell. The story of the movie is centered around Alexander Villard (played by F. Murray Abraham), a former fencing champion and coach who owns a fencing school in New York City. Alexander has been coaching for several years, and while he has several successful students, his school is struggling to stay afloat.

The plot follows the journey of Micky Partridge (Eric Roberts), a fencing prodigy who arrives at Alexander's school looking for a coach. Micky is an arrogant young man who thinks he already knows everything there is to know about fencing. However, he soon learns that there is always room for improvement, and that there is a lot he can learn from Alexander. The movie explores the relationship that develops between the two, as Alexander tries to bring out the best in Micky, both as a fencer and as a person.

Micky's presence at the fencing school throws Alexander's life into disarray. He puts up with the antics of the talented, flippant fencer and watches with an uncomfortable mix of admiration and concern as Micky's fight with his father (Christopher Rydell) begins to mirror his own past with his father. Alexander is haunted by memories of his own father, a fencing champion who left him feeling abandoned and worthless.

While Micky is learning the ropes of fencing, he also crosses paths with Kate (Mia Sara), a woman he briefly met at a fencing competition. Kate works as a journalist, and her job is to cover the sport of fencing. She and Micky have a strong chemistry, but their attraction is threatened by Micky's arrogance and his tendency to take everything for granted.

The interpersonal relationships between the three main characters are the highlights of the movie, as they grapple with their own struggles and personal demons. Alexander is constantly battling his insecurities and feelings of inadequacy, while trying to impart valuable life lessons to the young and impetuous Micky. Micky is grappling with his own sense of place in the world, his burgeoning feelings for Kate, and his complicated relationship with his father.

The movie features some of the most impressive fencing scenes ever filmed, and viewers are treated to a visually stunning display of sword fighting. The film's fencing sequences were choreographed by Olympic fencing champion Nick Evangelista, and the action is both realistic and breathtaking.

By the Sword also delves into some of the politics of the sports world, and takes a critical look at the people in power who hold back talented athletes from achieving their goals. The theme of loyalty features heavily in the movie, as the characters struggle with remaining true to their ambitions while also learning to develop meaningful connections with others.

The movie's soundtrack is composed by Howard Shore, who is widely known for his work on the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The music adds to the movie's overall appeal and effectiveness, and it complements the action on the screen perfectly.

In conclusion, By the Sword is a thrilling and engaging movie that blends the worlds of sport and drama seamlessly. The characters are well-written and well-acted, and the story is both emotionally charged and suspenseful. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves fencing or sports movies, and it's a brilliant showcase of the sport and its place in the world.

By the Sword is a 1991 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.