Written by Old Bluffer 29th Jun 2005

Our hero, Robert Roy MacGregor is honour bound to duel with a swordsman who has taunted him for the entire film. His opponent is the delightfully hateful Archibald Cunningham, who has given offence by robbing MacGregor's clan, razing his house and lands, beating him to within an inch of his life, shooting his dog, murdering his fellow clansmen, causing his brother to be shot by soldiers and raping (and possibly impregnating) his wife. MacGregor would probably have forgiven most of this but Cunningham is also English, and therefore must be killed.
The only problem for the vengeful highlander, is that his upper class nemesis is unfortunately a far better swordsman than him, and he will be slaughtered with ease if they duel. Such rational thinking cannot stand in the way of pride though - it is after all "A Matter of Honour".

England vs Scotland, the Highland way. In case you are in any doubt, the Englishman is the smug looking short arse.
The resulting duel is beautifully shot and choregraphed.
MacGregor obviously just wants to rush in and chop Cunningham down like firewood, but he is too canny to attempt it. He knows his opponent is a master duellist, and it is clear from the first few exchanges that Cunningham has his blade extended, just waiting for MacGregor to step onto it.


In a duel without armour, the archaic Claymore stands no chance against the elegance of the rapier. Note Roth has removed his wig in an effort to look more deadly, but wearing that foppish blue waistcoat he doesn't really manage it.
Despite being suitably wary though, the Claymore fighter still doesn't have a chance. Cunningham's footwork is superb throughout, and he systematically slices him with deeper and deeper cuts. By the end, Rob Roy barely has the energy to lift his blade, and drags it behind him as he is forced to walk towards the Englishman before he collapses from blood loss.

Inevitably, after one last desperate attack, MacGregor takes a sickening slash across his torso, and collapses to his knees with a gasp.


In modern fencing terms, Cunningham would appear to have a slight advantage here. However, this is a movie, and kilted Scotsmen don't die easily!
It is at this point that we have to suspend our disbelief somewhat. While Cunningham awaits the nod of approval from his patron to end the Clansman's life, MacGregor takes the rapier blade in a grip of iron, picks up his own fallen claymore and gives the Englishman the cleaving he so richly deserves.
Gripping the blade isn't all that implausible, but Cunningham's reaction to it is rather out of character. He wouldn't have been so stupid as to stand idle while his opponent fumbled to regain his sword - he would have been far more likely to just whip his own blade sharply backwards out of MacGregor's grip and then deliver the coup de gras.



Here at the MDDB, this is what we like to call the "money shot."