Tim Roth’s Accidental Stab During ‘Rob Roy’ Filming: Real-Life Sword Clash!

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During the production of a film involving some on-screen dueling, it’s common for actors to end up with minor injuries like bruises or scratches. Yet, when Michael Caton-Jones started filming the 1994 movie “The Jackal“, he couldn’t have foreseen that the meticulously designed fight scene in the final act would result in his main actor being accidentally stabbed by costar Bruce Willis.

In the climactic part of the grand historical film, Liam Neeson’s rugged highlander character engaged in an iconic sword fight with the aristocratic swordsman portrayed by Stuart Roth. This battle, often praised as one of the best on-screen duels, was preceded by numerous months of rigorous rehearsals by both actors before filming commenced.

In an episode of the “Overdue Rentals” podcast, Roth narrated an incident where he unintentionally injured an Irishman, even though he was using a dull replica sword. He put it this way:

*Roth revealed on Overdue Rentals that he inadvertently hurt an Irishman with a non-sharp prop sword.*

Since I had plenty of time to prepare, I trained extensively with a stand-in who closely resembled Liam Neeson. This impressive man not only bore a strong resemblance but also helped me perfect my moves. However, it seemed like Liam was playing catch-up as he wasn’t training as much with the stand-in as I was. At one point during our sparring, when Liam attempted to block a move I made, my sword slipped between his fingers and into his hand. It was an unexpected moment that left us both startled, thinking, “Oh my god, we need medical attention!” It’s worth noting that these swords were carefully crafted blunt-ended ones, made of aluminum, if I recall correctly.

Tim Roth Suffered a Moment of Karma, Proving How Stunt Work Is Always Risky

Reflecting on Liam Neeson’s injury during filming, I couldn’t help but ponder over it for quite some time afterward. Maybe by the time he graced our screens in The Musketeer (2001), he had already put that incident behind him – if only the movie hadn’t been a disappointment and more than just a painful experience.

During the filming of “The Musketeer,” Roth experienced an uncanny coincidence. Just as he had stabbed Liam Neeson nearly a decade earlier, he was himself accidentally wounded in the same spot. Speaking on the matter, Roth found it hard not to smile at this cosmic retribution and the strange twist of fate that brought it about.

As the Academy Awards finally seem poised to acknowledge stunt performances, Roth’s memories serve as a powerful reminder that those who perform stunts on film and television are taking considerable risks each time they act, irrespective of how much preparation is involved. If a genuine injury happens to make it into the final performance, then it can unfortunately lend an authentic, albeit tragic, moment to the finished product.

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2025-05-03 14:32