Best Fight Scenes: The Readers Respond

The Deadwood fight scene started this whole thing. It's the new universal, hardcore, fight barometer for a few of us. Not that it's the "best" (I really don't like the idea of ranking), but that it's certainly brutal. So, the question became, what films were in the same category and what, exactly, would that category be? The column was a blast to write and, later, my esteemed editor asked if I'd be interested in a follow-up covering the readers' responses that included their input. Upon the threat of him ripping one of my eyes out of its socket (he's very persuasive), I agreed. So let's continue the list:

The Princess Bride (I'm not left-handed either) by markziff.
CD: Even though the entire movie continues to wink at the camera, this fight was in the running originally because of the classic, acrobatic, feel of it.

Editor's Note: Please note the following videos depict scenes of intense violence. Viewer discretion advised!

Rob Roy:
Smashmaster offered up the final fight scene, and said, "Sad to see Liam Neeson vs. Tim Roth in Rob Roy didn't make the cut."
CD: I was somewhat off put by the final move, but overall, a good addition.

Last of the Mohicans:
CD: A great addition to list and came from Film.com editor, Laremy.

Snatch:
Kwarner722 said, "This oversight is a huge mistake on your part."
CD: Sorry about that one. I was trying to keep fistfights out of the list, Kwarner722, but this does gives me an excuse to revisit the film. Madonna's not in this one is she? No, no, I'm pretty sure she's not...

From Russia With Love:
Wrkn4livn wrote, "To leave this fight out is UNACCEPTABLE.... :)" and klaatu wrote, "Any list of fight scenes that does not include the train car fight with Sean Connery in From Russia With Love is just not a complete list of fight scenes."
CD: I completely agree. It would be nice to see a new Bond film even attempt to top this one, and good luck to them if they try. They'll need it.

Darker Than Amber:
Bassard believes that, "All of these are like a marshmallow fight compared to the knuckle fest in this 1970 movie."
CD: Another one to add to my list!

Tomb Raider 1 and 2 was offered up by angiejoli26.
CD: I'm not sure if they fit the tone, much like John Wayne's long telegraphed swingin' brawls (thanks to classicsfan), they might fit better in a different list.

Paradise Alley and 48 Hours were thrown in by berriberri who also noted correctly that the duel of Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back didn't really match the rules of the list.
CD: I'll cede to your analysis of the rules, berriberri. But back then were the light sabers CGI or multi-processed composite work? I also don't know if they actually used wirework. Regardless, the point is taken. Gadget3440 thinks that Episodes 1-3 had better duels. Not sure I agree and would add that their heavy use of CGI squeezes them out of the running.

The Sopranos:
"Tony Soprano and Ralphie. Threat of death? Tony kills him with his bare hands," and Them [which has a] "a street fight that lasts for fifteen minutes," and "Die Hard, any fight" from billhartnett.

Fearless:
This suggestion came from ilovemovies who asked, "How about the fight scene between Jet Li and Master Chen?"

City of Violence:
Gadget3440 also said, "There are some early Jackie Chan fights that should be in this. There are a ton of older martial art movies that have some real amazing fight scenes."

Queun noted that the fight in SPR was staged as a rape. Thanks dude, you've made it that much more uncomfortable to watch. Yeesh, now I need a shower.

Finally, I would add Ridley Scott's, The Duelists and Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol I to round it all out.

I'm glad to see so many of you kicked in: this is a great list. Many of which I agree with and, some, well... On a side note: it's nice to find some of you got into the spirit of debating the rules.

So, there it is and it all started with Deadwood. Aren't we all glad it was canceled after only three seasons and replaced with the series John from Cincinnati? Yeah, that's sarcasm.

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