# Longest/Best Movie Fight Scenes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 27, 2002, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016 "2002-04-27T22:15:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/21 "2002-04-28T12:00:40Z")
Okay, the movie was kind of dumb (though cute), but I give some credit to _Romeo Must Die_ and their big-screen interpretation of the “X-Ray effect” that’s been fairly prevalent in Asian (mostly Chinese) comics for years. It doesn’t exactly win the award, or even place, for best fight scene, but it’s definitely up there for best effect used _in_ a fight scene. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/22 "2002-04-28T13:49:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by robertliguori \* > \*\*The One was more or less one continuous fight scene. Has anyone considered the viability of a movie that was simply one 90-minute fight? Would you pay to see such a thing? \*\* I paid to see it, Saturday matinee, killing some time, I was the ONLY person in the entire theater! I felt like tearing all my clothes off and running up and down the aisle buck nekkid. Then I thought, there might be a projectionist up there somewhere… BTW, I loved The Warriors, great fight scenes, and the chase scene with the Baseball Furies was one of the best ever. ---
**Author:** ![Stupendous\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Stupendous\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stupendous_man)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/23 "2002-04-28T14:15:23Z")
Ok, so it’s not a movie… Or real… But the fight between Peter and the Chicken who game him a bad coupon in “Family Guy” will never be forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/24 "2002-04-28T14:42:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tetsusaru \* > \*\*Best swordfight ever was Errol Flynn {noble pirate hero} vs Basil Rathbone {sneering French pirate villain} on the beach in Captain Blood: “And that ends a partnership that should never have begun!” Lightsabre duels? I speet on your lightsabre duels! \*\* I also enjoyed the same pair going blade to blade in **Robin Hood** (the real one not the Kevin C. version). ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/25 "2002-04-28T15:33:38Z")
The fight scene at the end of Blazing Saddles has to be among one of the longest. And stupidest, but stupid in a good way. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/26 "2002-04-28T15:44:56Z")
Best fight scene ever? Mecha-Ripley vs. the Alien Queen. “Get away from her you _BITCH_.” ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/27 "2002-04-28T18:07:59Z")
I’ll agree that the climax of _Drunken Master 2_ (I just can’t bring myself to use the Americanized title) is probably the best pure hand-to-hand fight scene ever put on film. However, for _entertaining_, I’m going to name the handcuffed chase in the middle of _Project A Part 2._ Jackie Chan plays a cop who is wrongfully accused of various nefarious deeds (go figure). The bad-guy cop captures him and cuffs them together to escort him back to the police station. On the way, they’re ambushed by a quartet of pirates seeking revenge for the death of their leader in the first _Project A._ A combination of fighting and chasing ensues, as Jackie and his enemy are forced to form a temporary (but grudging) alliance just to survive. The way they explore the limitations of fighting side-by-side with both inside hands restricted, and then turn the tables by figuring out how to use this short chain between them, is one of the most stunning displays of acrobatic ingenuity I’ve ever seen. But yes, **TigoleBitties** , _Millionaire’s Express_ (also titled _Shanghai Express_, depending on the video version) deserves much wider exposure. Yuen Biao’s three-story flipping leap literally knocked me off the couch. Much of Sammo Hung’s work is equally fantastic; look at _Pedicab Driver_, for example. I also remember a fight in a James Bond movie, I think it was _A View to a Kill_, that impressed the hell out of me for its brutally realistic creativity, though I haven’t seen it since the first time I saw the movie in the theatre so it might not actually hold up. It was in a kitchen, as an assassin was trying to invade a compound and came across a nameless agent. I recall being amazed that they were actually grabbing pots and pans and using the hot burners and stuff, employing tools they had at hand; I remember thinking that most movies would just have them slug it out and ignore the surroundings. But like I said, I’ve only seen the scene once. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/28 "2002-04-28T18:10:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stupendous man \* > \*\*Ok, so it’s not a movie… > > Or real… > > But the fight between Peter and the Chicken who game him a bad coupon in “Family Guy” will never be forgotten. \*\* Hey, that reminded me: the fight between Timmy and Jimmy on “South Park”. Cripple fight! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/29 "2002-04-28T18:31:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cervaise \* > \*\*. > > I also remember a fight in a James Bond movie, I think it was _A View to a Kill_, that impressed the hell out of me for its brutally realistic creativity, though I haven’t seen it since the first time I saw the movie in the theatre so it might not actually hold up. It was in a kitchen, as an assassin was trying to invade a compound and came across a nameless agent. I recall being amazed that they were actually grabbing pots and pans and using the hot burners and stuff, employing tools they had at hand; I remember thinking that most movies would just have them slug it out and ignore the surroundings. But like I said, I’ve only seen the scene once. \*\* I’m pretty sure it was **The Living Daylights**. ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/30 "2002-04-28T18:40:35Z")
I’ll second any Zatoichi vs. an army scene. Especially **Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold**. My all time favorite is the end of **The Final Programme** , just for being the most realistic fight scene I’ve ever seen. Of course, the realism makes it pretty much the exact opposite of most fight scenes mentioned here. The swordfight in **Rashoman** is really interesting, because we see the “heroic battle” as well as the more realistic style as seen in **The Final Programme**. If gunfights are being allowed I’d have to mention the assault on the apartment complex in **Time and Tide** ---
**Author:** ![DPWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DPWhite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPWhite)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/31 "2002-04-28T18:48:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > \*\*The fight scene at the end of Blazing Saddles has to be among one of the longest. And stupidest, but stupid in a good way. \*\* I WORK FOR MEL BROOKS! ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/32 "2002-04-28T20:08:44Z")
My favorite fight scenes of all time: Billy Lo (Bruce Lee) vs. Sticks (Dan Inosanto) near the end of Game Of Death The tournament, especially Lee (Bruce Lee) vs. Ohara (Bob Wall) from Enter The Dragon Jackie Chan vs. the gang in their hideout, from Rumble In The Bronx And every fight scene from Snake And Crane Arts Of Shaolin (starring Jackie Chan) Dammit, now I have to watch those again! ---
**Author:** ![ScriptAnalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@ScriptAnalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ScriptAnalyst)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/33 "2002-04-29T01:24:33Z")
When I saw the title of the post, I clicked on it so that I could mention THEY LIVE. Then I found that film mentioned in the original post. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me. What makes the fight so interesting is the very fact that it does go on and on, pointlessly. The easy, Hollywood thing to do would have been to have one character capitulate early, in order to keep the plot moviing forward. Instead, neither character wants to give in, so they just keep going at it. So I guess I’m arguing that this is a moment where plot is subordinated to the characterization! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/34 "2002-04-29T01:51:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Drastic \* > \*\*I have always thought that Jackie Chan’s swan song should consist of the following script: > > Nameless Extra: Jackie! You’ve got 90 minutes to get through the prop warehouse! Watch out for the ninjas! > > Jackie: OK! \*\* This cracked me right up because it reminded me of a _Futurama_ bit. The characters went to see _All My Circuits: The Movie_ and heard the line: > [@](#): > > Calculon! A fight has broken out at the special effects warehouse! Come quick before a fiery explosion chases someone down a hallway! ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/35 "2002-04-29T02:21:59Z")
The climatic fights at the end of the _Lone Wolf And Cub_ films, especially the later films, were very long. Of course, Ogami Itto was usually taking on 100+ samurai at that point. I would have to second _The Duellists_, and _Drunken Master 2_. Excellent fights in both Note to self: go find a copy of _Millionaire’s Express_ ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/36 "2002-04-29T03:48:23Z")
It’s easy for a movie fight to become completely ridiculous. At the end of _The Musketeer_, the hero and villian are engaged in some kind of preposterous see-saw ladder bit that just dragged. A buddy of mine said it looked like a Cirque du Soleil act. Too bad, really, because some of the earlier clashes had been more entertaining. One of the best climaxes of a fight scene has got to be the shotgun-under-the-nose bit from _Army of Darkness_, when Good Ash turns out to be not so good. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/37 "2002-04-29T06:20:09Z")
Iron Monkey has some GREAT scenes. I can’t decide which one I like best! ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/38 "2002-04-29T06:31:45Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s easy for a movie fight to become completely ridiculous. At the end of The Musketeer, the hero and villian are engaged in some kind of preposterous see-saw ladder bit that just dragged. A buddy of mine said it looked like a Cirque du Soleil act. Too bad, really, because some of the earlier clashes had been more entertaining. What’s worse is that it’s an inferior recreation of the finale of Jet Li’s _Once Upon a Time in China_, which had the same action choreographer. Apparently he assumed that people attending this movie wouldn’t have seen the other. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/39 "2002-04-29T09:53:08Z")
Kiss of the Dragon had some pretty cool fight scenes, including a bit where they make fun of The Matrix. Didn’t like the secret Kiss of the Dragon technique itself though. For kickass samurai action, there’s Throne of Blood, Ran, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and pretty much anything else made by Akira Kurosawa and/or starring Toshiro Mifune (both of whom died recently :(). Other good fight movies: 13th Warrior, Tombstone, Replacement Killers, Black Mask, Last of the Mohicans (Iroquois beating the crap out of British soldiers), Mel Gibson’s version of Hamlet. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016/40 "2002-04-29T10:13:22Z")
Geez, most of good ones are taken. I’ll second: 1. The sword duel between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone in _Captain Blood_ 2. The sword duel between Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer in _Scaramouche_ 3. The kung fu battle between Bruce Lee and Opal somebody in _Enter The Dragonwyck_😃 4. The truly great donnybrook between Victor McClaglen and John Wayne in _The Quiet Man_ (my favorite film) and add: 1. The hilarious pie fight with Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood in _The Great Race_ (which also had a pretty good sword duel between Tony Curtis and Ross Martin) 2. Just about any fistfight in a B Western starring Bob Steele [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-best-movie-fight-scenes/106016.md?page=3)