MovieChat Forums > Rob Roy (1995) Discussion > Roy holding that rapier sword?

Roy holding that rapier sword?

posted 13 years ago by jh66
8 replies | jump to latest

I understand that rapier swords weren't razor sharp or made for slashing like Guthrie's 'cleaver' in reality? Though this film portrayed the one Cunningham wielded as so by the way he easily slashed Rob's sides and shoulder open?

So, given the film scene, why was a downed Rob Roy able to rigidly grip the blade tip even for a few seconds without severing half of his hand clean off?
Would it have been more feasible had he gripped nearer the handle instead?

And why didn't Cunningham, an experienced and trained swordsman, not even try to snap or tug his sword backward's, away from Rob's grip and thus slicing his fist, instead of waggling the sword weakly, as it seemed?

In reality, I reckon, nobody would have been able to grip such an object's tip so firmly without it being snatched from their hand, especially without at least horrible, deep lacerations?

[–] Spifflock_Holmes 13 years ago

Much discussed already, including (most recently) here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114287/board/nest/155031803.

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Lazy + smart = efficient.

[–] jh66 13 years ago

Thanks, I did read a couple, but didn't find a satisfactory reply to my questions, so posted as the others did.

Plus, not many people have posted in several months.

[–] Spifflock_Holmes 13 years ago

Thanks, I did read a couple, but didn't find a satisfactory reply to my questions . . .

Yeah, and I'm not sure there is a fully satisfactory reply. The one I find most satisfactory myself is that Cunningham was simply stunned (yet again) into momentary inaction by Rob's bold and utterly unexpected move.

Then, too, even if Cunningham had swiftly withdrawn the blade and sliced the hell out of Rob's hand, Rob might still have had time to grab his claymore and return the favor.

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Lazy + smart = efficient.

[–] jh66 12 years ago

Yes that would explain it- shocked by the unorthodox move by Rob.

[–] mikeyg24 11 years ago

Yeah you can see the expression on his face as if to say 'what the hell is he doing?'.

Your's sincerely, General Joseph Liebgott

[–] iosipescu 11 years ago

I think it's entirely possible for Rob to hold the rapier. It is a stabbing/thrusting weapon. The tip will make gashes but not fatal ones. Archie was toying with him. Remember Rob is a working class man with thick calloused hands. Recall the scene of him pulling the cart and having to spit on his hands to soften the skin for better grip. Archie's rapier will cut into the calloused skin some but that will give better grip. By the time Archie realizes Rob's plan it's too late, he is too close and off balance and Rob slashes him right through the heart area.
My question is whether that was Rob's plan all along. He was pretty much healed when his wife was wrapping his chest with the cloth...so was it for rudimentary protection?
And the pain when he was taking off his jacket. Come on...this is that same man who hid in a putrid cow carcass so he could have hid a little pain in the shoulder if he wanted to. This was for Archie's benefit. Rob knew the nature of his opponent and played him to even up the odds a bit.

[–] cheffaking 11 years ago

Whenever things don't really make sense or whenever I see something in movies that would have been better believable if done a different way, I always say "It's in the script." Lol. Especially on bad horror movies when people do the dumbest things. I'm usually like "Why did he...?, oh well, it's in the script."
I thought the exact same things the OP did about this part of the movie.

Also, as others have pointed out and now that I think about it, I think a good explanation would be shock and disbelief. Prime example is his confused reaction as the rope was being thrown around his neck at the bridge,it was hilarious!

[–] Betamax66 (588) 6 years ago

Great post.