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By the Sword

Play trailer Poster for By the Sword R 1991 1h 31m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
An ex-convict (F. Murray Abraham) returns to fencing at the academy of a ruthless champion (Eric Roberts) whose father he killed.

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Jan 1, 2000
2.5/4
By the Sword is about fencing, a sport not often covered in the movies, and it handles it in an interesting way - although the surrounding plot is a little too neat and obvious to really carry the material. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 10, 2005
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Steve D @RT35616104 Sep 10, 2023 There is an interesting story in here somewhere but it was with Sara's character but she is lost in the trainer's rivalry plot which is lame. See more Ęxçëşș M @ExcessMale Nov 17, 2020 With higher feature-length film production values and a different director it would be a striking picture with a fresh twist on a revenge tale. See more Oct 27, 2012 Cutting edge drama is delivered in this film about a new janitor at a top fencing school with a mysterious background who turns out to be a very talented swordsman in his own right. See more Sep 6, 2012 A good story played well by great actors makes this unknown film one that deserves more recognition. See more Aug 26, 2011 As good today as it was 20 years ago when I first saw it ... apparently, the critics saw a different movie. One of my all-time favorites! See more Jul 10, 2010 By the sword is one of those movies you find yourself watching when you have a raw case of insomnia. Nevertheless, it was entertaining and Eric Roberts gives a suitable performance as the fencing instructor that values winning above all and should have been cast as the villain instructor in the original Karate Kid. F. Murray does a good job directing the actors and tells a far to familiar story of never judging a book by its cover in a fun and entertaining way. See more Read all reviews
By the Sword

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Movie Info

Synopsis An ex-convict (F. Murray Abraham) returns to fencing at the academy of a ruthless champion (Eric Roberts) whose father he killed.
Director
Jeremy Kagan
Producer
Peter E. Strauss, Marlon Staggs
Screenwriter
James Donadio
Production Co
The Movie Group
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround
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