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      By the Sword

      R 1991 1h 31m Drama List
      Reviews 75% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score An ex-convict (F. Murray Abraham) returns to fencing at the academy of a ruthless champion (Eric Roberts) whose father he killed. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Steve D 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. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/10/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member A good story played well by great actors makes this unknown film one that deserves more recognition. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member 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! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      By the Sword

      By the Sword (1991) By the Sword (1991) By the Sword (1991) By the Sword (1991) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (2) Critics Reviews
      Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 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. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 10, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      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
      Rating
      R
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 31m
      Sound Mix
      Stereo, Surround