What is a Swashbuckler Film?

If you’re looking for a true historical adventure complete with some of the most heroic characters you’ve ever experienced. You’re probably looking for a swashbuckler film. A what? Swashbuckler films represent some of the most exciting adventures complete with sword fights and heroic characters that you might recognize from some of history’s greatest narrative adventures. But what is a Swashbuckler film? And what does Swashbuckler even mean?

What is a Swashbuckler Film?

Firstly, a swashbuckler film represents a subgenre of the action genre. In which adventurous characters with heroic qualities tend to embark on historical adventures while clearly navigating times past.

Swashbuckler films are characterized frequently by sword fights, adventure, a plot that is driven by historic, real events and of course morality.

You might recall one of the most prominent features of the swashbuckler film. The damsel in distress. While not featured in all swashbuckler films, the damsel in distress is a common romantic element found in many of these films over the years.

Origination of Swashbuckler Films

The swashbuckler genre dates back to some of the earliest films in history, notable from the silent film era.

Historic films from this subgenre include:

• The Mark of Zorro (1920)
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• The Master of Ballantrae (1953)

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• The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-1959)

Post-Silent Era Swashbucklers

Not all Swashbucklers were from the silent film era, though. In fact many of history’s favorite swashbucklers came after the silent era. And were produced in the periods from 1920 through the 1970s.

Swashbuckler, the term, originates from the times of sword fighting in which the fighters carried a sword and a buckler, which was a small shield.

Swordsmen who attempted to cover up their inability to fight by clamoring. Or otherwise making a lot of noise were begrudgingly called “swashbucklers.” 

Over time, the term would come to more commonly be known in Hollywood. As that which would be used to describe a loudmouthed braggart. It would also become the prime subject of the plotline hero for these action based films.