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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 01/01/2000
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 08/10/2005
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Steve D 09/10/2023 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 @ExcessMale 11/17/2020 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 10/27/2012 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 09/06/2012 A good story played well by great actors makes this unknown film one that deserves more recognition. See more 08/26/2011 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 07/10/2010 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