BOB ANDERSON 'Behind the mask of Darth Vader' (Castilian version)
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"-I never chose the sword, I think it was the sword that chose me" -
, Bob Anderson.
Introduction
The purpose of this article is simple. The recent death on January 1, 2012 the fencing master "Bob Anderson" caused decide to write ahead of schedule and well remember such a distinguished "gentleman" who above all will be remembered for his role as Darth Vader in the scenes fencing of Star Wars and being fencing master of many Hollywood actors.
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| The "Coventry" |
Bob Anderson, saber fencer, but also of foil and epee fencing began in the Royal Navy during his service for the Mediterranean during WW2, in fact, began to learn fencing aboard it "Coventry "(which would be sunk off the coast of Africa).Anderson said that fencing became very popular on board because you could in a relatively small space. Finished the war, in 1948 joined the English team saber and foil becoming champions of England in all three weapons. In the 1950 World Fencing retired saber competition with thumb injury at the end of August and would not take a chance like that again. Also participating in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
Lifetime movie
Remember Anderson: - "We were on board a boat in 'Master of Ballantrae' and touched her leg and blood started coming out! Everyone was terrified, I was convinced to get fired, luckily Errol Flynn realized that was an accident. "- Actually worked with Errol Flynn in more films like" The Dark Avenger "and which also still having accidents like the same Flynn nearly severed a finger to Christopher Lee in the same shooting. After this film, he was hired for several Italian productions pirates sequences. - "I made a choreographer and double, should double every character who had to deal with Errol Flynn. Sometimes for so many characters that I once had to kill myself because I played both actors that are supposed to fight against each other "-.
Was consolidated in Hollywood when he chose the same Stanley Kubrick in 1974 as Fencing Master "Barry Lyndon". It is also at this time that also get the fencing master by the "Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford" for 8 years. Bob Anderson talks about the work of choreographer fencing film is a work under pressure. Commented that they [the directors and producers] choose actors whooften have no idea of fencing. As in the case of Lyndon Barrry starring Ryan O'Neal who was a student of Anderson, the actor who still developed a good sense of the sword because he is a great athlete. sometimes the problem was emerging a hero had no knowledge fencing but had to play an expert fighter and the opponent was going in reverse, ie, the actor who faced the protagonist represents who knew less fencing but was usually much more experienced specialist, it was hard to look less good actually one was. Sometimes using a double for the protagonist. But in the case of Ryan O'Neal was not necessary for him or for his opponent where both were good enough to make the scene. In 1977 George Lucas hires Anderson as a consultant for his first film fencinggalactic starting their special relationship with Galaxies Trilogy. In 1980, Anderson and with almost 60 years returned to work for the galactic saga to "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" and Fencing Master as well actor playing the evil Darth Vader. During filming, he and his collaborator, Leon Hill, they encountered several problems, the first was that carbon swords were very delicate and could not hold the heavy blows that gave David Prowse (the a ctor who played Darth Vader). There was an additional loss of vision forcing hull be an expert fencer for use as required, and finally, the most important problem was that the same Prowse had difficulty properly execute the movements taught him. Prowse worked with got nothing but good enough for what we wanted.
Eventually George Lucas Anderson agreed that it was put on the armor of Darth Vader in the fight scenes, but the latter was kept secret and therefore does not include the name of Robert Anderson to credit. So Anderson was forced to perform fitness for the role he should play, put on his suit and replaced Prowse Darth Vader in the fight scenes. Laugh Bob Anderson in an interview - "It's the first time I do wrong and won" - referring to the final scene of Empire Strikes Back. Moreover, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) was very good and we trained the same Anderson. Mark Hamill would not double, as they had a double who was also learning fencing to make the scene and be better Hamill needed no buckled.Moreover, the fencing master veteran also appears during Empire Strikes doing extra role in the ice planet scene.
In an interview in 1983 in the magazine "Starlog Magazine", Mark Hamill said: - "Bob Anderson is the one who actually did Vader in the fight scenes. Was supposed to be a secret, but I finally told George that this does not could continue, 'Bob' worked very hard as to not book him any recognition.'s ridiculous to preserve the myth that the character interpreted by one person. "-. Interestingly, it was the same Bob Anderson Darth Vader dress who starred in one of the most famous scenes in history: The moment Darth Vader pronounced "I am your father." As far as on the hardness of the scenes mentioned Mark Hamill, Bob Anderson commented that it was the room where it was very hot scene not to disperse the vapor. In the 5 days I worked with Mark Hamill in that scene lost 5 kg. As a final curiosity, to say that the phrase is his lightsabers mentioned about Alec Guinness (Ben Kenobi) in the first installment of the trilogy - "An elegant weapon of times more
civilized "-.
He made the choreography of the "Princess Bride" in 1988. At the time, Anderson began to believe that his style was outdated and that what was wanted was realism, but the "Princess Bride" was perhaps the last game of the classic Hollywood screen. He conceived the combat of the Princess Bride as a tribute to fencing hollywoodianas adventure films coming to an end and gave way to a new fencing film. Anecdotally, saying he had to scold the players on several occasions for not fighting off the scenes for fun. Yet in subsequent interviews said he particularly enjoyed the scenes of the "Princess Bride", with great reviews from the scene of Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya) and Cary Elwes. ApSimon Canadian federation says the "Princess Bride" was the favorite choreography own Bob Anderson. In 1991 Anderson is officially retired but still working on many projects still living between the United States and England, for example 1996 the "Mask of
Zorro ". From the experiences of this film with actors, remembers Bob Anderson in the book of Richard Cohen, who to work with Catherine Zeta Jones being a dancer helped a lot, Anthony Hopkins, it seems he really liked fencing and many the wanted scenes repeat 4 or 5 times more. But the most praise was made by Antonio Banderas who qualified talent for fencing.
During 2000, was interviewed by writer and fencer Richard Cohen on the set of one of the films in the Bond series that cooperate. And he told of how he worked the scenes: - "Normally suddenly upon a basic number as head comes to giving much importance to the rhythm of the assault. Most important thing is choreographed combat change of pace from the leaves. If all motion while it gets boring, so you have to take actions large and slow, then fast and fluid change it. " - The following year, the New York Times explained it: "It's incredibly inventive and refuses to treat the actors as stars. Lot of them complain about the intensity of training, but those who have worked with him they prefer." In fact he said that to properly prepare an actor needed to work with him day and night
for at least 6 months.
Between 2001 and 2003 he returned to work in another great trilogy: The Lord of the Rings. Again, the players were delighted with it: Viggo Mortensen qualified him authentic 'British gentleman' and was an experience working with him, as also explained he and the other actors like Liv Tyler who was very demanding work . Unfortunately upon returning from New Zealand had a problem shooting with cancer. However, this did not stop working, and now, in 2006 returned to the cinema with Alatriste.
On his death in 2012 and with 89 years, Bob Anderson has never ceased to contribute their knowledge to cinema until the last times. Recently had worked in the new film The Hobbit directed by Peter Jackson and that brings us back to the mythical world of Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. Robert Anderson has worked in the film industry for more than 30 years and more than 60 dedicated entirely to the art of the sword. He has worked with many actors and movies, the ones mentioned above can add: Stewart Granger in Scaramouche, to Roger Moore for "Moonraker", Sean Connery in "Highlander", Richard Gere in "First Knight", Alec Guinness by "Star Wars" , Pierce Brosnan in "Die Another Day" and also Charlie Sheen, Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom among others. Both athletes and actors remember him being friendly, gentlemanly, polite, but also strict and demanding perfectionist who worked. In an interview on "The Globe" confessed that the reason to continue working in films even after his alleged withdrawal was to help people who watched the films to choose a sport like fencing and cinema has been the best advertising fencing may have had. Apparently, it has fully achieved.
He stated: - "Teaching and training actors has been whether companies a fun part of my life. And it has been a pleasure "-
most prominent Filmography
Star Wars - Return of the Jedi 1983
Star Wars - The Empire Strikes Back 1980
The Master of Ballantrae 1953
Alatriste 2006
The Legend of Zorro 2005
The Lord of the Rings - Trilogy 2001-2002-2003
Die Another Day 2002
The Mask of the Zorro 1,998
First Knight 1995
The Three Musketeers 1993
By the Sword 1991
The Princess Bride 1987
Barry Lyndon 1975
Highlander 1986
The videos of the interviews
Video from when I worked with the Federation of Canadian
Warriors of the Third Age (Part 1 of the documentary of the filming of the Lord of the Rings which appears Robert Anderson)
Excerpt from the documentary "Reclaiming the Blade" which featured an interview with Robert Anderson
Excerpt from the documentary "Die Another Day Behind the Scenes" which speaks of the fencing scene and there is an interview with Bob Anderson
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