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Credits

Rated: R; Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama; With: F. Murray Abraham and Eric Roberts

Set in the world of competitive fencing, By the Sword is all thrust and parry, ultimately signifying nothing. Eric Roberts portrays the arrogant ''maestro'' of an exclusive academy; F. Murray Abraham is an ex-con employee who brings secrets from his tragic past, of which Roberts is a part. But Roberts realizes none of this, and we're kept in the dark as well, tripping over mawkish romantic subplots and some cryptic flashbacks that would fit well in a samurai film. Only at the climax can we fully appreciate how ridiculous this muddled movie is. But by that time, we couldn't care less. D


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Posted Jul 22, 1994
 

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