Bob Anderson (fencer)

Bob Anderson (15 September 1922 – 1 January 2012) was a British Olympic fencer and, later, a highly regarded sword master for film and theatre.

Anderson represented Great Britain in fencing at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki and the 1950 World Championships. Although he was a competent competitive fencer, achieving consistent results in national competitions, his real legacy lies in his work as a fight choreographer and sword master for the entertainment industry.

Beginning with The Adventures of Robin Hood (1953), Anderson orchestrated and performed in numerous sword fights for film and television. He trained actors such as Errol Flynn, Sean Connery, and Antonio Banderas in swordplay, and doubled for actors, including Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. His work spanned decades and encompassed a vast range of films, including James Bond movies like From Russia with Love and Die Another Day, the Highlander franchise, The Princess Bride, The Mask of Zorro, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Anderson's innovative approach to film fighting emphasized realism and character-driven action. He developed distinct fighting styles tailored to specific actors and roles. He is credited with elevating the quality of on-screen sword fighting, moving away from purely theatrical displays toward more believable and engaging combat. His contributions to the film industry have been widely recognized, and he is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of film swordplay.