Not only is it not accurate, it’s also not very interesting. It means that the warriors only use duelling weapons, rarely halberds, spears, etc. because those aren’t as good as swords in duels.

Berserk actually features multiple battle scenes with (seemingly, as I don’t have much knowledge on the subject) good formation and tactics.

And in the middle of the pitched set of duels, most times an important character struggles, another one will show up just in time to save them, maybe exchange some words, and then split back up to wade back into the series of duels (to cover more ground).

Also everyone knows what’s going on, who is the enemy and who is an ally, and orders are clearly yelled out and quickly followed with minimal confusion. There’s a good chance that some characters are carrying out a conversation.

It’s to do with visual style but also with logistics when filming. It’s more manageable if you have stuntmen working in pairs.

Me and a friend were hired as extras for a big Hollywood film and saw some of this stuff.

I remember they had to cut at one point though because another extra thought it was just a big free-for-all and decked one of the stunt guys with a giant rubber crucifix.

I love hate how in movies and tv shows about old times warfare there are all of these maps everywhere and in depth discussions of how they’re going to beat the enemy, discussion of battle tactics, etc. and the only real tactics we see in execution are when which side decides to charge in an undisciplined mass

Also the spinning. It was truly a sad day in history when weaponry and martial arts split from dancing. While ballerinas did master the art of spinning, its loss in warfare can still be seen to this day.

Edit: I should mention that spinning is a good trick.

HBO’s Rome has the second one. But on account of their smaller budget, you only really see a very zoomed in section of it all. Still a great attention to detail, as most things in that show.

I’ll never forget going to see the movie 300 in the theaters. Cuz I was a huge fan of the book The Hot Gates of Fire so anything involving the battle of Thermopylae I’m there for. But I knew nothing about Steven Frank Miller, and of course I knew nothing about Zack Snyder. And admittedly things were looking bad when they were all you know not wearing armor, but there was a second right when the battle started that gave me so much hope. Because for that one second you know they say push and they all push forward together like an actual phalanx battle for a second. I was so excited . Finally a movie showing actual Greek battle . And then of course the rest of the movie 300 happens.

Now don’t get me wrong as the movie progressed I realized oh this is something else and I was silly to ever expect anything different. I was able to enjoy it for what it was. But I’ll never forget that crestfallen feeling for that one moment.