Flashing Steel - Some Old And New Fencing Contrasts (1926)

"Twenty years ago", explained Prof. Leon Bertrand, the well-known International Fencer, "the sabre duel was a solid and heavy affair, and the body armour cumbersome and weighty..." C/U of the torso of a man who holds a fencing sabre. Various shots of him making moves with the foil are dissolved into each other. M/S of two fencers putting on their fencing helmets. M/S of them having a duel in a garden. C/U of the hand of one of the fencers.



"Note the heavy sweeping "cuts" and how comparatively slow the footwork involved.. (Prof. Bertrands opponent is Mr A. Corble, Sabre Champion, 1922)." L/S of the two fencing in a garden. "Today, the light but deadly Italian sabre rules the fencing roost, and the heavy sweeping cut is no more, the body protection also being much lighter." M/S of the two men in "modern" fencing gear - light weight body suits. They put on their helmets. C/U of one of the fencers wearing a helmet. He turns his head to show the back of the helmet. C/U of his arm as he makes a lunge.



"With increased speed in the handling of the weapons, has come infinitely faster footwork and today lightning lunges and retreats are the rule... (On the right Mr C.A. Kershaw, British Amateur Sabre Champion, and equally well-known as an International Rugger player.)" L/S of the two men as they fence. M/Ss and L/S of the duel. "Slow-motion brings home the beauty of this fine sport, with its rapid and graceful movements." Slow motion footage of the fencing various shots.



Was an item in Pathe Pictorial issue number 447.
FILM ID:1004.01

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