By the Sword (1991): cast, story & where to watch
1991 · Film · ★ 6.2
Released in 1991, By the Sword is a drama film directed by Jeremy Kagan, running about 91 minutes. “They come from everywhere to challenge their fate...” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A mysterious man, Suba, gets himself a job at a fencing academy, and as he learns the way of the students, the school, and its maestro, they learn that there's more to him than meets the eye. He gains (or regains?) his fencing skills and his philosophy of teaching clashes with the maestro's. As they are thrown into conflict, Suba and the maestro's past appear to be linked. And the resolution of their mysterious relationship may be a duel to the death.
Who’s in it. By the Sword stars F. Murray Abraham as Suba, Eric Roberts as Villard, Christopher Rydell as Trebor and Mia Sara as Clavelli, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, By the Sword has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch By the Sword page.
If you liked it. Fans of By the Sword tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch By the Sword (1991)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for By the Sword change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is By the Sword worth watching?
- By the Sword holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in By the Sword?
- By the Sword stars F. Murray Abraham, Eric Roberts, Christopher Rydell, Mia Sara and Elaine Kagan.
- When was By the Sword released?
- By the Sword was released in 1991, with a runtime of about 91 minutes.