BEST FILM DUELS

Achilles vs. Hector
It has fantastic choreography; excellent use of short swords, both of them taking their helmets off in a way that makes sense, unlike other films. The fight has that weight of a mythical duel, even though this whole film is going for a more realistic approach. It's also evident who's going to win before the fight even starts. After all, it's the greatest of us, humans, fighting against a sort of force of nature, a demi-god. The music is also terrific, with simple rhythmic drums perfect for single combat.

Gandalf vs. Balrog
The true impact of this match hits in the first film. But the second film has the complete fight, so I'm choosing that one. What can I say? The most epic line delivery and a masterfully realized creature that holds up to this day. The directing is perfect, creating tension and inspiring awe. The duel's finish (in the first film) is also quite something, forever making people scream at the screen, ''Get him, help him!''

Nameless vs. Sky
This one is the greatest battle fought inside one's mind. Or, better said, inside two minds. The way it's shot, the music, and the battle-cries all contribute to creating the most artful fight scene I've ever watched that I will rewatch forever and ever.

Col. Douglas Mortimer vs. El Indio
This duel works mostly because of the legendary music by Ennio Morricone. But, even without it, it has beautiful cinematography, underrated acting, and tension-filled pacing.
The sweaty faces and grins are just mesmerizing, and the emotional background to this duel is riveting.

Jubei vs. Tessai
I would say that every fight in this film can get a spot on this list, but the best-introduced one with the gnarliest villain is the one I picked. Tessai starting to r*ape Kagero and the subsequent cause of his death, his display of brutality and strength previously, and the nonchalance that Jubei portrays all contribute to this being the best fight in the film. And don't even let me start talking about the end of it.

King Arthur vs. The Black Knight
The funniest duel on this list, also kind of the goriest. Tis but a flesh wound.

King Arthur vs. Lancelot of the Lake
The duel is yet another Arthurian one and similar to the last. What's interesting about the fight, on a technical level, is that it portrays armor in a good way. Light strikes from the sword just glance off, and the jousting before it, although with flaws, is also solid and shot in a magical location filled with birds and life. It's also messy but authentic.

Westley vs. Inigo Montoya
This one's just all-around fun. Very much inspired by the old swashbuckling films, it is phenomenally choreographed and perfected in its chattiness.

Wolodyjowski vs. Kmicic
The saber duel is the closest you can get to a real saber duel in a film. Besides technical prowess thoroughly displayed by the actors, there's a code of honor permeating the whole thing. The end is also swift and brutal.

Armand d'Hubert vs. Gabriel Feraud
The whole god damn film is a duel. A duel of swords, a duel of guns, a duel of characters.

Wong Fei-hung (Jackie Chan) vs. Low Houi Kang (Ken Lo)
The final fight in the second part of The Drunken Master is the best kung-fu fistfight ever conceived. Jackie Chan's legendary drunken God forms are on full display here, while his opponent is an incredible kick practitioner.

Sanjuro vs. Hanbei
I'm not sure about the visceral blood gush after the players make their moves, but this is as close to the real katana duel as possible. One quick slice, and you're dead.

Rama vs. The Assassin
Furious, bloody, and engaging, what's not to like? It's like the director told these two beasts to try to kill each other, and he filmed it.

Sir Jean de Carrouges vs. Jacques Le Gris
The only bad aspects of this duel are the helmets, but they too work symbolically in the film's story. I could also say that the way they joust and duel in general is too barbaric. Besides those lesser problems, this is what a medieval duel to death looked like, disturbingly violent.

Jing vs. General Yang
The incredible setting with almost black and white cinematography makes this duel very original. Weapons seem like a flurry of metal in a dance, beautiful and deadly.

Ting (Tony Jaa) vs. The Bandana Guy
Great athleticism and brutal hits.

Tang Lung (Bruce Lee) vs. Colt (Chuck Norris)
I was choosing between this one and the Lee vs. O'Hara from ''Enter the Dragon''. Alas, the other fight is not really a fight as it is bullying.

Neo vs. Smith
Anime fight in a blockbuster Hollywood film. Sounds bad on paper, doesn't it?

Ma (Donnie Yen) vs. Tony (Collin Chou)
A long and destructive fight that keeps you engaged.

Kyuzo vs. That Rowdy Fellow
Sound of birds, no music, the samurai know, the crowd is astonished, the perfect use of slow-mo in a film from the 50s. Kurosawa's the greatest, for sure.

No Name vs. Luo Lang
The best anime/animated fight in general.

Shinzaemon vs. Hanbei
If the ''Seven Samurai'' had a bloody and muddy final one-on-one. Such elegance...

Barry vs. Bullingdon
A mix of extreme tension and twisted humor. Only Kubrick, only him.

Jen vs. Yu Shu Lien
The best way to sum up this fight is to call it utterly fantastic. The women actress portray an incredible variety of skills. They are still unmatched when we're talking about women action heroines. The choreography, rhythm, and tempo are all excellent, and this one scene cements the film as a quality one.

Amleth vs. Fjölnir
I've expected a lot from this film, and it delivered a lot. Some action scenes before this one were a bit too slow in their movement and telegraphed. But, the final duel was utterly mesmerising, epic and mystical. It leads us through a curtain of smoke, transitioning into a silhouette of two warriors in front of a volcanic backdrop with gorgeous choreography and ending in a brutal way most suitable for a film such as this one.