Yesterday, I referenced the John Wayne film The Quiet Man which has, to my taste, one of the funniest and most memorable fight scenes I have ever seen in a movie.
It involves an entire group of townspeople, all fighting with one another, and the fight moves, the group moves as one – over the green hills of Ireland – They fight up and over a hill, they fight over the stone wall, they fight through the farmlands, they fight through fences, through fields of sheep, they dump each other into cisterns as they all fight by … The first time I saw the film, I had the impression that the fight scene was literally half an hour long. It’s probably much shorter – but it feels like it goes on forever (and that’s a good thing – it’s highly comedic – especially because it is a fight between 10 people. They all move as one, fighting with one another, together – a squabbling crowd fisticuffing their way through the pastures).
Anyway, it got me to thinking about great fight scenes in movies – ones that stand out from the pack as superior (either because of the stunts involved, or the context of the fight scene itself).
It’s obviously quite easy to film a boring cookie-cutter fight scene, because we see them in every other movie.
What are your thoughts on this? Great fight scenes, anyone? Bring it on.
Not sure if this meets the standard, but the one that stands out in my mind is between Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy in “48 Hours.” I thought the shot of them where they are facing each other, staggering and swaying back and forth, was hysterical. And Nolte’s last punch, when they’re exhausted and sitting in the car, was the perfect punctuation to the scene.
heh heh heh!! I know just the moment you mean!
The fight scene at the end of the first Lethal Weapon.. between Mel Gibson and Gary Busey(?).
Also..the scene in ‘The Patriot’ where Gibson rescues his son by ambushing the British column in the forest.
The end of ‘The Last of the Mohicans’…
I’m not sure hot to say this or get my point across,but both Gibson and Day-Lewis strike mr a gifted ‘physical’ actors. When they move (in the fight scenes above) they somehow project a combination of poise, energy, animal vitality.. no sure what the exact word I’m looking for is..I just know this phenomenon when I see it. Other actors could do those same scenes, matching every physical motion, but not project the same qualities.
Dan-
Harrison Ford strikes me as having the same qualities you describe … He said in the seminar he did at our school that it was important to him, during the filming of the first Raiders – that the fight scenes look REAL – that Indy not just be an action hero, but a guy who has to struggle sometimes, who feels pain when he is punched – and also gets baffled in the middle of a fight, like: Damn, you just hit me REALLY HARD.
It seems very human – like, he’s not invulnerable. I think Gibson and Daniel Day-Lewis have the same thing. They’re obviously all very strong and fit guys – but they still seem like real guys having a fight, rather than action heroes tearing up the joint.
I don’t know if this is strictly along the lines of the kind of “Fights” you are looking for, but the swordfight (or, more accurately, lightsaber duel) between Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Maul and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars:Episode 1 is phenomenal to me. It is so quick and so powerful. When the actors are so close like that, to be dextrous and fluid and so amazingly aware just stuns me. My son and daughter almost wore out the DVD going back and forth over that fight, over and over, until they could perform the final confrontation between Obi-Wan and Darth Maul. It still gets my blood pumping. It is like ballet at Mach 3. When Qui-Gon gets stabbed and is out of the fight, and you are waiting with Obi-Wan for the shield wall to collapse so he can get in there and take on this man who has just killed his mentor, it is such impossibly delicious anticipation.
On another note, I love the swordfighting scene in “The Princess Bride” as well. It was dancing whilst swinging long, sharp objects and doing it with wit and class. So much fun.
As for fisticuffs? Nobody beats the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, in my book. All the fight scenes are good, so physical, so real, but none better than the fistfight with the German bodybuilder near the airplane. I remember being in the theater and watching Indy get his ever-lovin ass whooped by this big guy and still coming out the winner in the end because of the big guys mistakes, (well..one big mistake actually, he kinda went to pieces I guess). Poor Indy runs all over the place and even gets in some good licks, but is doomed from the start and yet you cheer and cheer.
Hmmm..very god points, but I was trying to get at something else; clearly I lack the vocabulary. I guess the closest I can come is to say that Day-Lewis running up the mountain after the girl reminded me of a coiled spring (I know, a cliche); even when he’s not fighting his body language suggests compressed/hidden/potential power and strength – like watching him you think ‘look at how smooth this dude is; when he gets to the bad guys he’s going to open a serious can of whoop ass.’
On last attempt to explain: thse guys move somewhat like dancers – controlled explosiveness.
The fencing scene in Princess Bride is genius’ even more impressive is that the actors leanred to fance from scratch!
A Raiders anecdote: I read (or heard) somewhere the scene where Indy shoots the swordsman was supposed to be a fight scene, but was changed at Ford’s suggestion becuase he was hurt. No idea if this is true or I remembered incorrectly.
Dan –
Could you have read it here?? I know I posted that anecdote at some point – Spielberg told it. The scene was originally written to be a long battle between the sword and the bullwhip. Ford came to Spielberg on the morning of that day and said, “I ate something bad last night – and I only have about an hour of work in me today. Couldn’t I just shoot the guy?”
When Ford said, “Couldn’t I just shoot the guy?” Spielberg said that a couple of crew members, who overheard the idea, started laughing.
It was the guffaw of laughter from the crew that convinced Spielberg that it would be far funnier if Indy “just shot the guy”.
You know, I probably did read it here.. and now I’m back recycling it. Sheesh.
Damn funny story though – no wonder it stuck with me.
I think the Patriot fight scene Dan mentions is one of the best for sheer righteous rage and vengence.
I remember reading somewhere or seeing on cable that John Wayne is credited with changing the fight scene. Early Westerns had the opponents rolling around on the ground like a couple of school boys. John changed the fight scene to a more choreographed version we see today. And of course the obligatory bar room brawl, which Mel Brooks skewered in Blazing Saddles.
Dan – well, I couldn’t be sure – and didn’t want to take credit for it. I love that story. To me, it’s evidence of why it’s very difficult to find actors who say they DIDN’T like working with Spielberg.
As I mentioned over on your Western thread, I think the fight scene at the end of Red River is one of the best, not just for its physicality (it’s very brutal) but for the emotional climax. Here is the “son” fighting to overthrow his father figure and each antagonist venting years of pent up frustration. But most amazingly to me the fight reads almost as an expression of mutual affection between the two men. They love each other so much they have to fight it out. At least that’s how I remember reacting to it.
Michael:
That’s very interesting. It seems to me that a lot of what makes for a powerful or memorable fight scene is the context. Sure, there are some which stand out because of the stunts, or the effects – etc. – but the ones I love are the ones which have emotion of some kind behind it.
There’s an AWESOME fight scene between Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft in The Turning Point. They’re two ballerinas decking it out in a parking garage. It could be comedic – and it is, to some degree (and maybe it would be rip-roaringly funny to those who find it amusing, and CUTE, when women fight – but I dislike such people intensely, and so will not take them into consideration) – but in reality, it’s vicious. And it takes a hell of a lot of pain and bitterness built up for these 2 women to start throwing punches.
It’s the context itself which makes the fight stand out in my mind. Not the actual fight.
Agree. And so not cute.
Of Course, theres always…
“Don’t you strike that brave unbalanced woman!”
and
“Don’t shoot, I’m part Italian”
“I want my bike back!”
“I’ll give you your bike back. I’ll give you a broken back if you don’t keep quiet.”
Doesn’t Kenneth Mars get about 5 pies in his face during that fight scene??
Just the THOUGHT of Kenneth Mars makes me laugh.
2 pies in the face, both thrown by Babs.
Babs, in that white bell-bottomed pantsuit, throwing pies at Kenneth Mars. I mean, come on. That is a classic moment in film history.
The Duke was in another splendid movie fight, this time with Lee Marvin, in the otherwise clunky Donovan’s Reef. It takes up the first ten minutes or so of an otherwise forgetable flick.
Ah…fight scenes. Are we excluding battle type scenes in favor of smaller, more intimate fights?
If so, my suggestions:
James Bond battles Alec Trevalyan high above the radar dish in Goldeneye, no music, no scoring, just two men trying to kill each other in a confined space.
The Pikey doesn’t throw the fight in Snatch
Just about any fight scene in Fight Club
The two Terminators go at it in Terminator 2
Saving Private Ryan: Mellish and the SS soldier in the French apartment.
I have to vote for the total brawl at the end of Blazing Saddles, for the sheer insanity of it and for the way that Brooks does not so much break the fourth wall as pulverize it and go dancing in the wreckage. “not in the face, not in the face” “thank you” “Come on girls, lets go get em.” –mayhem– “your place or mine?”
Don’t forget the pie fight in The Great Race…also, the swordfight between Tony Curtis and Ross Martin is classic old-school Hollywood.
Next, the sword-brawl that happens near the beginning of the George Macdonald Fraser version of The Three Musketeers is brilliant. Of all the things to hate about the Sheen/Sutherland/Platt/O’Donnell debacle, the biggest is the fact that those clowns (although I like them otherwise) can’t fence AT ALL.
Finally, no list would be complete without José Ferrer (God grant him rest): “And as I end the refrain–thrust home!”
Best. Ever.
Also worth mentioning is any of the fight scenes in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Ok, I understand I was late to the discussion today, but I had a doctor’s appointment, and I just got in around 1.
Oh, I’m okay, but thanks for asking.
So, on to the memorable fight scenes…
1. It involved the following quote:
“I have come here to avenge my teacher. This does not concern you. I’ll allow you to leave.”
From the Chinese Connection (or Fists of Fury, depending on your market) where Chen Jeh openly suggests that these Japanese who have disgraced him long enough leave with their lives, for he has come to destroy only one man there. The fools, in their arrogance, don’t move. He repeats his suggestion, by insisting that they leave. then, in only the way that Bruce could do it, he fucking loses it. The fight ensues. He takes out three men quickly, emptying quite a bit of frustration into the third man, and stunning him in such a manner that he falls slowly. Then, he stops, and yells (in the english dubbed version) “SCRAM!” and one guy starts running for his fucking life.
The rest of the scene is rather climactic as well, but that opening said volumes for how infuriated he was.
2. Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi.
I withold my feelings on the fight scene in Episode 1 with Ray Park and Ewan MacGregor, because I feel that it made the movie, in my opinion (I didn’t come for a fucking POD RACE, that’s for damned sure… ‘choo-baaa!) however I will refer to he lightsaber duel in ‘Jedi because it showed back then without specific dependence on fight choreography that Luke was fighting angrily, as opposed to fighting desperately in Empire Strikes Back. He was being taunted the whole time, and the Emperor did well to get a decent rise out of him, but he was still provoked and scared at that point. Only when he hid in the shadows, and Vader taunted him by finding his inner secret about his sister did he come bursting from the shadows screaming “NEVER!”
He began an onslaught that showed not only sincere anger, but hatred. He had Vader reduced to clutching the railing, and was desperately fighting to hold his stance, they flashed to an angle on Luke’s face where he was literally trying to chop Vader in half, only to finally sever his arm, where he stopped.
He saw what he was becoming; he saw where his anger was taking him, and he chose to stop. In that instant, when the Emperor laughed, he saw that he was provoked for someone else’s amusement. It was then that he regretted his decision, and chose to resist yet again. You all know the end of that scene from then on.
I’ve noticed that I seem to like fight scenes where the characters get really angry, and lose it.
3. Drunken Master 2, known in the U.S. as the ‘Legend of the Drunken Master’.
In the end, another scene showing anger, and frustration, but more comedy. Jacky’s Character, Fei Hung, was fighting in a steel mill against two main villains (one played by his bodyguard)
Jacky was proud of his Family’s fighting style, and more proud of his Father. He chose to confront the bad guys in the steel mill, using his father’s style. Pardon my ignorance, but it was easily identified by his sideward stance, offering an open palm to his enemy.
He defeated several enemies in the traditionally brilliant way that most of his films do, but then he’s beaten by the main boss: the guy with the seemingly impossible legs. This man threw almost nothing but kicks the entire time. And he was tall (possibly Korean, Jacky’s bodyguard) and was seemingly impossible to reach because of his assumed superior technique.
A few other things happen in the film that are incredible to witness, including Jacky being ambushed by a red hot steel rod, but the scene got even better when Jacky resorted to the only thing he could think of to save himself: the container of industrial alcohol. He first grabbed it, spitting it at his enemy that ambushed him, setting him aflame, then he continued the Gene Simmons impression for a few more tries to clear his way, until he realized that he must resort to Drunken Boxing to defeat his foes. He shrugs, flips off the container, and starts to chug the industrial alcohol (it seems to have the same viscosity as lighter fluid) he drops it, as it’s quite a shock to his system, and the guys think he’s poisoned himself. They run over to kick him, and are sent sprawling. He rises, and charges for the enemy. he kicks him, hard, but the damage is absorbed, as he slides backward a big, but holds his stance, like a sliding piece of furniture, or something. then, he procedes to go apeshit on the enemy, fighting with such reckless abandon, it’s fairly easy to confirm that he has lost his mind. If his throwing himself at the opposing attacks doesn’t prove it to you, when you see him bite the guy, that may illustrate it entirely.
One part in particular, he’s going through a series of exchanging blows, when he completely breaks away from fighting his adversary, and runs over to a pile of logs, and starts smashing them (he’s fighting like fighters fight in a bar, they destroy everything, usually in frusration) He finished off his enemy by using several Kung-fu techniques, that resemble wrestling moves to an extent, including performing a flying, elbow drop.
Finally the guy gives up. The ending in the non-american releease is funnier. You should see if you can get it.
This was shot in 1994.
4. The last one I’ll reference, (I thank you for reading so far into my comment) is Jacky Chan’s Police Force’, known nowadays as ‘Police Story’ by Jackie Chan.
Nevermind the stunts at the beginning recycled in ‘Tango and Cash’, and nevermind the scene that was stolen shot-for-shot by ‘Bad Boys 2’ involving cars going downhill through a village, The scene I’m referring to is at the end, and involves Jacky fighting to catch the main criminal, and protect his girlfriend at the same time.
This is very well the first film to prove Jacky’s stunt team’s abilities. He was fighting, surrounded by enemies, taking damage from guys in several directions all at once (that’s right at least 5 on 1, none of that wait for one guy to go then go shit) he was getting leg tripped, kicked in the knee, hit in the face, he even got knocked face-first into a storefront window in one particular shot, but he fought on.
The end result involved him flipping out (as I tend to like it in most fight scenes) but the fact that the fight scene was unbeliebably over the top was what I appreciated the most.
Ow, my wrists.
-Wut.
Regarding Saving Private Ryan: apparently that evil bastard was saying “Don’t struggle, it will hurt less.” in the knife fight.
It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World: the fight scene where the garage is destroyed.
From Russia With Love: the fight in the train. Just brutal. Most movie fight scenes look like either 1) superhuman professionals like Jet Li or 2) amateurish idiots rolling around on the ground. This one looked more like 2 guys seriously trying to murder each other than any other I can think of offhand. Very claustrophobic, too.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail: most quotable fight scene.
Top Secret: underwater bar room brawl. ‘Nuff said.
Fight Club: take your pick.
And I’ve been ignoring martial arts fights scenes, since I think they’re in a class by themselves. But the fight between Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh in Crouching Tiger was great not just for the choreography. It’s one of the few fight scenes where I didn’t know who would win. It created a suspense that I haven’t found in other fight scenes.
How about the sword fights in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film of Romeo and Juliet, especially the one in which Romeo takes his revenge on Tybalt? They’re very well choreographed and convincingly vicious.
Best comedic fight scene: McClintock, with The Duke and Maureen O’Hara. Also has what’s possibly the best lines to begin the fight
My new favorite (I saw it last night) is Uma Thurman and Darryl Hannah in Kill Bill Vol. 2. LOVED where (and how) Uma avenged her master’s death.
A discussion of great movie fight scenes is incomplete without They Live. Rowdy Roddy Piper and Keith David beating the crap out of each other in a fight that leaves them both looking like, well, like they’ve just had the crap beaten out of them. Even better when you find out that it was their idea to replace a 20-second fight scene with a real fight, faking only the punches to the face.
-j
It’s interesting. When I saw “fight scenes” what immediately came to my mind was that fight from “They Live”. Of course I thought that fight took WAY too long but if you’re a fan of those things, it is a classic one.
One that always stands out to me not as a classic fight, per se, but one that’s very emotional is in Superman II – when Clark (who just lost his powers) and Lois are in the diner, and Clark gets the snot beaten out of him by a trucker. The look on Christopher Reeve’s face, bloodied and bruised, as he realizes that he can now feel pain is heart-rending.