Reclaiming the Blade

Galatia Films (2009)

All Regions DVD

The documentary details much of the history of the sword as a killing weapon in the Renaissance times before it was overtaken by the increasing use of firearms. It begins with the romance of the sword as shown in modern film. Gradually through interviews with people like legendary swordmaster Bob Anderson, who taught many great Hollywood actors to handle swords, we find out more of the history of these weapons. We learn that in its day swordsmanship was quite a science, with less of the Errol Flynn swashbuckling and more skill in how to strike from the most favourable stances. It took a lot of training and skill to produce a good swordsman, which is why there is still respect for the weapon today. There are more battle-axes in existence than swords. Many textbooks were published about swordsmanship but most have been forgotten for centuries and are only now being used to shed light on the techniques of battle.

Swords survive in modern times in a few guises. There is the Olympic sport of fencing, somewhat stylised and using a limited range of swords. Japanese Kendo still maintains some of the old traditions of the kenjutsu which dates back to the 1100s in Japan. As one swordsman points out, though, it is hard to tell how many of the original techniques have been lost or modified. There are the re-enactment groups who try to keep the techniques and interest alive, and it is these, particularly in Europe, who are investigating the old literature. We see re-enactment groups in training and I was struck by the effort they put into making their moves and training as authentic as possible. It is not just a bunch of people out for a weekend hack and slash but a serious effort to recreate the martial techniques of swordplay.

We look (far too briefly) at the styles and construction of swords. The technology behind sword manufacture is quite amazing but is little understood or appreciated today. The remains of a sword recovered in Britain reveals some of the advanced techniques. It is built from multiple strands of metals that give it tremendous strength and flexibility. It is one of only about five swords known worldwide made by this technique. Modern sword reconstructers are gradually relearning the old techniques but with so little original material available it is a long process. It must often rely on guesswork.

I was a little put off by the emphasis on films at the start of the documentary, but by the end I could see where they were leading to. Films like Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings may not be entirely technically accurate but they serve to keep these weapons in front of the public as an important piece of history.

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No. 3 of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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