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Bond sword master Bob Anderson dies aged 89

JamesPageJamesPage Administrator, Moderator, Director
edited January 2012 in News Posts: 1,380
Olympic fencer, movie stunt coordinator and sword master Bob Anderson has died at the age of 89.

His career in film began after competing in the Olympics for Great Britain, when he was called up to help out on Errol Flynn's "Master of Balantree" after the competition. Over the years he became the most legendary of sword-fight trainers/choreographers, having trained everyone from Errol Flynn to the cast of the "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy.

2002's "Die Another Day" saw James Bond and Sir Gustav Graves settle a bet in Blades Club, and it was Anderson who was sword master on the stunt sequence. He also supervised the training of the actors, including Rosamund Pike who played Olympic fencing champion Miranda Frost.

But that was not his only brush with Bond. Way back in 1963, he was was an uncredited stunt coordinator on the second film in the series, "From Russia With Love". He also performed the same duties on the spoof version of "Casino Royale" in 1967.

He is perhaps most famous for doubling David Prowse during Darth Vader's light saber duels in "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) and "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" (1983), despite having been six inches shorter than Prowse and required to wear lifts.

Comments

  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    I only knew some of this; great to learn more about someone who contributed such a special talent to many films.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    Wow. What a career.

    RIP to the man who supervised by far the best sequence of DAD.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,183
    R.I.P, Mr Anderson.
  • SaintMarkSaintMark
    Posts: 7,653
    RIP

    Most famous for Errol Flynn movies I wager. The swordfights in the first starwars trilogy weren't that spectacular.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    What a mean way to start the year. RIP Mr. Anderson.
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent
    Posts: 12,526
    RIP! A true hollywood legend and nice with it! Condolences to his family and friends
  • MikrostormMikrostorm
    Posts: 1
    Sadly he have been unknown for me untill now, this man have done so mutch in all my favourite movies! A legend! R.I.P Condolences to his closest
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    A Bond alumni dead right at the start of 2012. RIP Bob.
  • TheGIT13TheGIT13
    Posts: 1
    This is very sad news indeed. I've been a fan of Bob Anderson's work for years. Along with Bill Hobbs, Bob Anderson (IMHO) helped redefine fight choreography in films and stage and the movie industry has much to thank him for. RIP and thoughts and sympathy to his family.
  • thelordflasheartthelordflasheart
    Posts: 1,370
    Although DAD gets a lot of flack here the swordfight was a great OTT bit of Bond - hats off to a great sequence. Well choreographed, great build, and nice use of changing locations and weapons. It's no fight with Red Grant or Slate but for what it was it was fantastic and played great in the theatre.
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