His name was...

Bob Anderson, and if you thrilled to the swordplay of Darth Vader, Aragorn, Inigo Montoya and Dread Pirate Roberts, then you knew him well.

The Princess Bride, Highlander, The Lord of the Rings (apparently he read LOTR and then developed different sparring techniques for each culture based on Tolkien’s descriptions of them - that's the kind of perfectionism that separates the true genius from the 'this'll-do' people) Pirates of the Caribbean, the original Star Wars trilogy - where would those films have been without his unique skills? And before that, he put the derring in Errol Flynn's considerable do. As a grateful movie audience, let's all put our hands together now in applause. Thank you, Bob.

You can link to The Princess Bride fight scene, and Viggo talking about this legendary sword master, medieval weapons expert, fight choreographer, and stunt performer here.


Swashbuckle in Peace.

Bob Anderson

1922-2012