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IMDbPro

By the Sword

  • 19911991
  • RR
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
By the Sword (1991)
Theatrical Trailer from Other
Play trailer1:53
1 Video
4 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • Sport
A mysterious man, Suba, gets himself a job at a fencing academy, and as he learns the way of the students, the school, and its maestro, they learn that there's more to him than meets the eye... Read allA mysterious man, Suba, gets himself a job at a fencing academy, and as he learns the way of the students, the school, and its maestro, they learn that there's more to him than meets the eye. He gains (or regains?) his fencing skills and his philosophy of teaching clashes with th... Read allA mysterious man, Suba, gets himself a job at a fencing academy, and as he learns the way of the students, the school, and its maestro, they learn that there's more to him than meets the eye. He gains (or regains?) his fencing skills and his philosophy of teaching clashes with the maestro's. As they are thrown into conflict, Suba and the maestro's past appear to be li... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jeremy Kagan
  • Writers
    • James Donadio
    • John McDonald
  • Stars
    • F. Murray Abraham
    • Eric Roberts
    • Mia Sara
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jeremy Kagan
  • Writers
    • James Donadio
    • John McDonald
  • Stars
    • F. Murray Abraham
    • Eric Roberts
    • Mia Sara
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 32User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    By The Sword
    Trailer 1:53
    By The Sword

    Photos

    Eric Roberts and F. Murray Abraham in By the Sword (1991)
    By the Sword (1991)
    Eric Roberts and F. Murray Abraham in By the Sword (1991)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    F. Murray Abraham
    F. Murray Abraham
    • Subaas Suba
    Eric Roberts
    Eric Roberts
    • Villardas Villard
    Mia Sara
    Mia Sara
    • Clavellias Clavelli
    Christopher Rydell
    Christopher Rydell
    • Treboras Trebor
    Elaine Kagan
    Elaine Kagan
    • Rachelas Rachel
    Brett Cullen
    Brett Cullen
    • Gallagheras Gallagher
    Doug Wert
    Doug Wert
    • Hobbsas Hobbs
    Sherry Hursey
    Sherry Hursey
    • Tanosas Tanos
    Stoney Jackson
    Stoney Jackson
    • Johnsonas Johnson
    Caroline Barclay
    Caroline Barclay
    • Tatianaas Tatiana
    Peter Cohl
    • Calderas Calder
    Stephen Polk
    Stephen Polk
    • Williamsas Williams
    Ennalls Berl
    • Danaas Dana
    Dharvi Darrell
    • Landladyas Landlady
    Eve Kagan
    • Daughteras Daughter
    Jonathan Strauss
    • Sonas Son
    Diane Erickson
    • Womanas Woman
    John Sheehan
    • Doormanas Doorman
    • Director
      • Jeremy Kagan
    • Writers
      • James Donadio
      • John McDonald
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Fencing Student: You never taught me that!

      Alexander Villard: You can't teach surprise.

    User reviews32

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Great combination of mystery and skilled acting
    This movie fascinated me from the very beginning. It revolves around the sport of fencing, but the plot has little to do with fencing and more to do with crime & punishment, retribution and forgiveness, and the meaning of success. Eric Roberts plays a skilled but haughty owner of a fencing school, just like his dear old (deceased) dad. F. Murray Abraham is the mystery man, who is apparently making a new start in a new town and who applies to be a fencing teacher at the school. Although Roberts quickly discerns that Abraham is not "up to snuff" for a teacher and hires him as a janitor, Roberts fails to recognize the inevitable result of years away from a sport that requires daily attention. Over the course of the film, Roberts & Abraham flesh out their characters nicely as the viewer discovers who Abraham really is while watching Roberts' character discover himself and finally learn a lesson that was stunted by tragedy in his boyhood. Like any movie about a sport, I'm sure there were fencing "flaws," but it was believable enough to me to make watching it intriguing (and sometimes tiring!). There's quite a lot of action for this movie that only has 3 sets, too! Get a bag of popcorn and settle in for a good flick.
    helpful•8
    0
    • tekky-2
    • Mar 12, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 23, 1993 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El desafío
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Film Horizon
      • Foil Productions Inc.
      • The Movie Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,220
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,078
      • Sep 26, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,220
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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