# Most satisfying battles on film **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 16, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574 "2003-11-16T19:28:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/1 "2003-11-16T19:28:39Z")
What are the most satisfying battles that you’ve ever seen on film? I’m not talking about things like the Burly Brawl, which take your breath away in the middle, but by the end, leave you unsatisfied. I’m speaking of incredible battles that leave you with a tangible sense of “Wow.” For me, nothing tops Col. Ives and Sgt. Boyd’s faceoff at the end of Ravenous. A sluggish, burtal, dramatic fight between two nearly invincible soldiers. After they’ve beaten and stabbed each other senseless, one tackles the other into a bear trap, where both die slowly. The film ends with the camera, slowly zooming out and turning from the bear trap that contains the two dead foes, in a macabre embrace. Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Lux\_Interior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@Lux\_Interior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lux_Interior)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/2 "2003-11-16T19:34:58Z")
Any game where the Steelers trounce the Browns. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/3 "2003-11-16T19:54:11Z")
I got a ‘wow’ feeling when I first saw the flashback to the huge battle at the beginning of FotR ---
**Author:** ![DaPearl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@DaPearl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaPearl)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/4 "2003-11-16T20:26:18Z")
I like big battles. _Braveheart_ comes to mind of course. D-Day in _Saving Private Ryan_. Th castle siege in _Ran_ is incredible. For 1on 1, I think Luke vs. Vader in _The Empire Strikes Back_ is the best. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/5 "2003-11-16T20:36:06Z")
Babylon 5 when the station is attacked by earthforce. A raging battle outside and marines attacking inside. Best TV battle I’ve seen. Nearly every battle in Band of Brothers is intense and they’re all different. The ‘battle’ in Aliens a continual retreat backwards desparately trying to just slow them down. Evil Dead…well any of the fights with the demons Esp when you realize the demons are more interested in hurting then winning. Punch Drunk Love: When he finally opens a can of whoop ass you’re over joyed. Iron Giant…heh you know what I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![DaPearl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@DaPearl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaPearl)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/6 "2003-11-16T20:50:43Z")
How could I forget _Band of Brothers_? One of the best things to ever happen to television. Also I can’t believe I forgot my favorite battle from my favorite movie: the bloody slow-motion nihilistic “Battle of Bloody Porch” at the end of _The Wild Bunch_. ---
**Author:** ![Mini-Thud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Mini-Thud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mini-Thud)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/7 "2003-11-17T03:57:58Z")
The battle in gladiator in the beginning of the movie against the barbarians was pretty amazing to me. and for 1 on 1, i’d say the battle at the end of gladiator. If you don’t know which one I’m not gonna say otherwise it’d spoil it for the others. Lets just say Russel Crowe was the man in that movie… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/8 "2003-11-17T19:53:22Z")
If we’re going to talk _Gladiator_, then the best battle was the first battle where he’s acting as “general” to the band of gladiators. Sure, he was a great warrior one-on-one, but that wasn’t his strength. And in the opening battle, he’s leading one of the best-trained and disciplined fighting forces in history… Of course he won. But the battle in the arena showed what a truly great officer he was: He took a rag-tag bunch of individualists, and turned them into a well-honed fighting force. A disciplined army is _never_ outnumbered. I’ll agree with the Battle of the Last Alliance from LotR (I loved how tangible they made the order vs. chaos), and I’ll nominate any one of the four major fights in _The Princess Bride_ (but the last one probably qualifies best for the OP’s criteria). And **Lux Interior** , you and I need to have a little chat outside… ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/9 "2003-11-17T22:02:19Z")
A couple that haven’t been mentioned… The helicopter attack in **Apocalypse Now** The final battle in **The Master and Commander** The funeral scene in **Big Trouble in Little China** Any of the barroom brawls in **Once Were Warriors** and The Final battle in **Duck Soup** “Calling All Nations! Calling All Nations! This is Rufus T. Firefly, coming to you through the courtesy of the Enemy. We’re in a mess, folks, we’re in a mess! Rush to Freedonia! 3 men and 1 woman are trapped in a building - send help at once! If you can’t send help, send 2 more women! Make it 3 more women!” ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/10 "2003-11-17T22:40:07Z")
The entire set of fights in _The Duelists_. I’ve spoken to people who have fought for real with blades, and they say that no other movie presents the reality of swordfighting as well. As a technician, that’s what I enjoy in the movie. It also presents a fairly good picture of the sort of insanity that was behind dueling. The duel at the end of _Dangerous Liaisons_ was also very dramatically satisfying. It was an excellent “From Hell’s heart I stab at thee!” moment, but without the posturing. ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/11 "2003-11-17T23:54:13Z")
I don’t know if maybe I’m the only one who has ever seen this movie, but the charge in _The Lighthorsemen_ had me sitting up, gripping the edge of my chair. Really wonderfully shot and very powerful. I wasn’t even into horses at the time–and that charge took my breath away. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/12 "2003-11-18T00:04:21Z")
One of the most satisfying battles on film not mentioned so far is the battle of El Guetarr (sp?) in _Patton._ His opening line- “They haven’t spotted our positions yet, sir”… “Well, they’ll get an education in about ten seconds.”- was classic and the action, although not historically accurate, was impressive for a war movie of the time. The pacing of the battle between the Enterprise and the Romulan warbird in “Balance of Terror” (TOS) really defined the tension of an extended battle. It was probably one of the most realistic space battles on film, with the ships not being able to see each other directly, the shots were just flashes in the dark and there was no sound. Spock ruined it by beating out an electrical fire with his hands, but that’s irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/13 "2003-11-18T00:32:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Steelerphan \* > \*\* > \ > > The pacing of the battle between the Enterprise and the Romulan warbird in “Balance of Terror” (TOS) really defined the tension of an extended battle. It was _probably one of the most realistic space battles on film_… > > \ \*\* (italics mine) While I appreciate stark realism in my space battles as much as the next guy, I have to say that the trench run in **Star Wars** always got my blood boiling, despite the necessary suspension of belief. 😉 Of course, I was 7 when I initially saw it and my knowledge of astrophysics was, admittedly, somewhat limited. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/14 "2003-11-18T00:44:27Z")
I’d have to second the dangerous liasons duel at the end. I also liked the opening scene of FotR, very nice 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/15 "2003-11-18T01:49:22Z")
The duel at the end of _Rob Roy_ is probably the best one-on-one swordfight I’ve ever seen. Damn, Liam Neeson is a big guy. For space combat, I’ve yet to see anything beat the Battle of Endor, from _Return of the Jedi_. Unfortunetly, they kept cutting away to the battle _on_ Endor, which was balls. Other good’uns: The Battle of Agincourt from Branagh’s _Henry V_. The climactic psychic combat at the end of _Dark City_. Then endless street brawl in _They Live_ for sheer over-the-top goofiness. The Enterprise v. The Reliant in _Wrath of Khan_. The gunfight next to the well in _Three Kings_ for perfectly diagramming the action. The lobby in _The Matrix_. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/16 "2003-11-18T01:50:25Z")
There’s a skirmish in **Glory** that gets my adrenaline going (literally - I get sewing machine legs). Also, the final battle in **Zulu** gives me a “holy shit it’s us or them” feeling I’d imagine you’d feel in a real battle. ---
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/17 "2003-11-18T04:06:18Z")
Ah \bup\, you beat me too it. The whole movie did it for me, because it was willing to take its time and show the buildup of the Zulu forces, the defenders desperate to set up the barriers, then the attack. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/18 "2003-11-18T04:10:40Z")
For a one-on-one fight, the finale of Jet Li’s **Fist of Legend** is one of the most satisfying I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/19 "2003-11-18T04:33:49Z")
> [@](#): > > The duel at the end of Rob Roy is probably the best one-on-one swordfight I’ve ever seen. Damn, Liam Neeson is a big guy. [geek moment] I went watch Rob Roy with a group of friends, most of whom were D&D types, and on the last blow, where he cut from shoulder to mid gut, the shoulder theater was really quiet. About eight of us at the same time whispered “Crit!” in accidental unison wh ich got us dirty looks from everybody else, cause it ended up really loud. ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574/20 "2003-11-18T06:08:15Z")
Several of the battle scenes in _Blackhawk Down_ come to mind. Same goes for the _Boondock Saints_ (can’t wait to see the sequel!) Two gun battles from _Nemesis_ early and late in the movie. For the pure sense of desperation I’ll give the nod to the last part of _Assault on Precinct 13_. For swordfights I like the final battle between Scott Glenn and uh, the evil corporate brother in _The Challenge_. Arnie vs. Pussy Face from _Predator_. The huge multi-set brawl from _Blazing Saddles_. The final showdown in town with Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner taking on Michael Gambdon’s hired thugs in _Open Range_. The beautifully choreographed and hilarious multi-service brawl that starts in the dance club and is taken to the streets in _1941_. The fight in Balin’s Tomb in _FotR_ and Helm’s Deep (minus Legolas’s shield antics) in _The Two Towers_. For mano-a-mano I think I’ll give the nod to Clint Eastwood final fight in _Any Which Way You Can_. Honorable Mention: Jude Law and Ed Harris’ cat and mouse sniper hunt throughout the last half of _Enemy at the Gates_. Hmmm, that’s a lot of fighting. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-satisfying-battles-on-film/213574.md?page=2)