Nearly 40 years after fencing left-handed in the film, Patinkin hopes to return to the sport with his dominant right hand.
USA Fencing’s Ambassador program, in collaboration with the FIE and World Para Fencing, unites artists, athletes, and cultural icons who believe fencing changes lives. As the Games return to America for the first time in over three decades, the program’s ambassadors will introduce new audiences to the sport’s unique blend of strategy, artistry, and athleticism. Further legends of the sword in the arts will be announced.
“When Mandy and I first spoke, what struck me wasn’t the movie, though we eventually got there,” says Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing. “It was his deep understanding of the sport’s benefits: discipline, confidence, community, and lifelong joy. He’s the perfect honorary Team Captain to lead our fencers and the sport into the home Games in Los Angeles.”
For Patinkin, the role of a lifetime and his passion for the sport began with a script and a memory.
“Rob Reiner sent me a script by William Goldman and asked if I’d play Inigo Montoya,” Patinkin says. “Reading it, I knew I’d visit my deceased father. Bill Goldman described him as the world’s greatest sword fighter. I knew it’d be challenging.”
Training started with an Olympic pedigree.
“Henry Harutunian, the Olympic fencing coach at Yale, taught me the basics. As a right-handed person, I became a better left-handed fencer than a right-handed one. That amazes me.“
Then came legendary swordmaster Bob Anderson.
“When filming in England, Bob Anderson took over. We’d fence together during lunch breaks while the other actors filmed. I loved it. Bob was in his 70s, never tired or looking tired. I was 34 and challenged to become the world’s greatest sword fighter in five or six months—an impossible task.”
What made him love every minute of it? Patinkin answers before anyone asks.
“I thought it was a dance. I loved the music, rhythm, and discipline. Few things I love more than watching Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly dance. Swordplay with Cary Elwes and Christopher Guest was as close as I ever came.”
Here is a legendary scene between Patinkin and Cary Ewes from “The Princess Bride” –
Four decades later, the film follows him everywhere.
“Someone mentions how much it meant to them during childhood, college, and now as parents and grandparents every day. I can’t believe I was part of it. I think I got lucky. Rob Reiner asked me, Bill Goldman wrote an incredible story with amazing characters, Rob brought us together, and encouraged us to have fun. We did. I had one of the best times of my life.”
His fencing education ended with a lesson in humility.
“On our final day with my coach, Bob Anderson, who choreographed much of the fight and taught me daily while filming in London, he put on the real gear. He said, ‘Let’s do it for real.’ That’s opposite stage and screen fencing. On stage and screen, we telegraph to the audience. In competition, you let the force be with you.”
Patinkin understood it instantly.
What he understood is the same thing USA Fencing’s 50,000 members discover on strips across the country every day.
Fencing, a true craft and art form, demands mental and physical focus, especially the mind, making it a form of meditation. While physical abilities are crucial, the real joy lies in understanding an opponent’s mind and predicting their moves.
For those considering fencing, Patinkin advises saying yes to opportunities, as it’s an exceptional experience. He compares it to falling in love, having children, and seeing grandchildren.
As honorary Team Captain, Patinkin acknowledges the superior skills of competitive fencers, expressing admiration for their dedication and the preservation of this tradition. He feels honored to contribute to its continued success.
Patinkin joins USA Fencing’s roster of top ambassadors, a group expanding as the organization prepares for LA28, where fencing will be a key event at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As honorary Team Captain, Patinkin will support Team USA’s fencers, attend select events, and may even pick up a weapon himself. His weapon choice remains a mystery.
Fans can track the road to LA28 at usafencing.org and on USA Fencing’s social channels.
USA Fencing, the national governing body for Olympic and Paralympic fencing in the U.S., inspires a lifetime enriched by fencing. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, it’s recognized by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the International Fencing Federation (FIE), and World Abilitysport. It serves over 50,000 members and 750 clubs nationwide. Visit usafencing.org for more information.
Art Credit – 20th Century Studios / Disney
