Also featuring Viggo Mortensen. “And he was sitting down the whole time.”
(via Legendary sword master, Bob Anderson, dies | TheOneRing.net)
It is reported that the sword-fighting trainer and choreographer passed away today, at the age of 89. Bob Anderson was a behind-the-scenes name little known to many fans but who had a tremendous impact not only on the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, but on cinema itself. Anderson’s many credits include: Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Princess Bride, Highlander and much more. From thelordoftherings.net: “Bob Anderson, the world’s top sword master who has consulted on such films as Star Wars and trained the legendary Errol Flynn, was also brought in to train the actors in different fencing techniques. An expert in medieval arms, Anderson read the novel and then developed sparring methods based on Tolkien’s descriptions of each culture.”
There is little in movies that I love more than a good sword fight. Even more than a well-choreographed head-punching, which is saying a lot. I’m going to try to post some videos of Anderson’s work today—it depends on what I can find on YouTube.
I knew he wasn’t going to be around forever, but I was dreading this day, because I knew what a loss he’d be to the world of film. I could always tell if he’d worked on a movie or if it had been someone else - someone not as good. :(
(And, dammit, nobody made the Swordspoint movie before he died. Hollywood, you FAIL me.)
RIP, Mr. Anderson. You will be missed.
This makes me sad.
