I wanted to give a specific example, but I’m at work and my memory sucks. So I’ll give a more general example:
Rapier combat in just about every Hollywood movie I’ve ever seen consists of a lot of twirling around, but let’s ignore that. the biggest component of such scenes is the cut. You see almost all of the attacks are cuts, with thrusts only being used when the the opponent has twirled away, the thrust is then aimed at thin air.
This is for two reasons:
It looks cool.
It’s safer for the actors. A thrust that goes wrong can cause severe damage to actors not wearing masks, even from prop plastic swords. This was specially true in the past, now we have camera tricks which can make this type of accurate rapier play possible and safer, but then we still have reason number 1 to contend with.
The reality of rapier play is quite different. First, it’s not as linear as typically portrayed in movies, the thrust is the main attack, and the offhand, if not carrying a buckler or dagger, should be out in front to help in defense (unless facing a cutting sword).
Some examples:
Notice the longsword tries to keep the rapier at bay with it’s point. The rapier is got it beat in terms of range. The longsword also attempts several powerful cuts. The rapier does not.
And
Here you can again see that there is a decidedly lack of cuts being employed.
This is a counter example. Great choreography and entertaining, but you can hopefully see the huge difference in terms of actual martial application:
Action movie actors use diet and excercise usually under the tutelage of a personal trainer to to maintain the “ripped” look that fans expect to see onscreen. Like bodybuilders, though, they don’t look like that all the time. They reduce bodyfat when they are going to be filming, just as bodybuilders “strip” only in advance of a competition.
I’ve seen martial artists in all shapes and sizes. Though there is a correlation between being in excellent condition and being a kick-ass martial artist, the ones at the top of the heap use conventional physical training (weight lifting, running, etc) in addition to practicing their personal style of fighting.
Bottom line: how “in shape” a martial artist or actor is depends on more than stage martial arts vs. real martial arts.
Agreed, in general. A surprising exception (if my memory doesn’t play me false) is the final swordfight in the corny 1950’s movie Knights of the Round Table. Lancelot and Mordred have it out with longswords, and you can tell the fight choreographer had at least looked at Tallhoffer or some other 15th century manual; they use half-swording, reversal with a hammer blow, and finally pommelling and grappling.
Wanted to add that I saw a photograph of the aftermath of a saber duel in the late 19th century. Poor fellow was quite beheaded.
Here are some very advanced amateur actors at the NJ Renaissance Kingdom, a few years back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVYkqj59W3k (It’s been retouched a little for a magic effect near the end, but is otherwise a straight video record of the live show.)
