Top SFX shots No.12: Excalibur

Martin Anderson

Published on Dec 29, 2008

Having re-spun the Luke-Skywalker-fights-himself scene from the previous year's The Empire Strikes Back, Lancelot (Nicholas Clay) extracts his own sword from the left side of his abdomen. Dazzlingly perfect, this is perhaps literally the oldest trick in the book: a retractable blade combines with a drop-away 'exit wound tip' to create a perfect illusion. This trick could have comfortably been performed at the court of the real King Arthur; but if it ain't broke...