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Swashbucklers: Defending Honour with Rapiers and Wit

The Swashbuckler portrayed a romantic, cinematic world of witty gallantry and honour

The cinematic genre of the Swashbuckler has its origins in Alexandre Dumas' Three Musketeers. Heros were witty, athletic gentlemen played by the likes of Douglas Fairbanks, Cornel Wilde, Errol Flynn and Stewart Granger, who stylishly embodied the knightly virtures, defending honour with the sword.

Picture: Fencing duel scene from the film 'Contraband'. Credit: Getty Images

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29 minutes

大象传媒 World Service Archive

This programme was restored as part of the World Service archive project