From Anthony De Longis:
No nation had a more exacting scientific system of weapons training than the deadly Spanish "Mysterious Circle."

Part science, part philosophy and metaphysics, the Mysterious Circle was crafted to develop the whole man, mind, body and spirit. The fencing salon was the meeting place for the gentry and their sons. The master taught the strict gentleman's code and his was the final word on all points of honor. The Mysterious Circle embodies the proudest traditions of Spain: its heart, pride, and passion.

If the sword is the "soul of the samurai," the Circle is the soul of the fighting Spaniard. Intense training develops lightning reflexes, calm demeanor and a cool analysis of every situation. Correct execution of the Mysterious Circle's highly refined techniques was believed, by practitioners, to all but guarantee victory. Angulation, deflection and the tremendous power generated by body torque are merely some of its secrets.

By constantly menacing with the point, the centerline is maintained and the body offers the smallest vulnerable target. To reach his foe, the opponent must remove the threatening blade. The Spanish practitioner coolly waited for his man to commit his body and weapon to an attack. This he avoided by stepping forward or back on an angle then countered with superior blade leverage facilitated by his knowledge of geometry and physics, to control the central line. He simply angled his body and blade to shift center and establish a new line that he could dominate. The attacker literally impaled himself on the Spaniard's extended point.

The master of the Circle seemed to know his opponent's next move as if by magic. The "magic" was the result of exacting footwork, body angulation and a manipulation of the blade that limited the opponent's options. He guided him towards predictable responses by offering fewer opportunities, at the same time baiting him to attack the openings selected by you. This made it relatively easy to avoid or counter his offense and launch a fatal response.

The skills, both mental and physical developed by training on the Circle impact every weapon the practitioner employs or encounters, including swords, pole arms, daggers, cloaks, whips and empty hands.

Anthony, the Mysterious Circle and Highlander:

"I called David Abramowitz [Highlander's headwriter] and I told him about the Mysterious Circle which was something unique and different. A style that builds from the ground up, a posture, an elan, matador proud, facing-death. At the same time, rapid weight shifts produce the staccato flamenco rhythm with the feet and the body evasions unleash tremendous torquing power.

I wrote a scene... a courtyard full of fencing students at night illuminated by flickering torchlight. I visualized this arcane style of fighting with almost a witch's pentagram on the ground. To make a long story short, David and Bill Panzer [Highlander's executive producer] liked the idea and I ended up going to Paris to film and co-choreograph Duende."

For further information about The Mysterious Circle, see:
De Longis, Anthony. "The Martial Art of Zorro." Inside Karate, 19:7 (July 1998), 4-8, 14-16.

De Longis, Anthony. "Fencing: The Martial Art of the Western World." Karate International (February/March 1999), 28-29, 62-63. Click here for an Adobe Acrobat version of the article. (Reprinted with permission.)

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