Game of Thrones actors on Oberyn vs The Mountain trial by combat: It was brutal and exhausting

David and Goliath-esque battle hit Westeros

Bjornsson said wielding his sword was exhausting (HBO)

Game of Thrones served up an epic fight scene in season 4 episode 8 "The Mountain and the Viper" last night, and actors Hafthor Julius Bjornsson (The Mountain) and Pedro Pascal (Oberyn) have discussed how intense it was to film.

*Spoilers ahead*

Creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss delivered on their promise of the trial being a high point to the season, with Bjornsson telling The Hollywood Reporter "there were no holds barred and there were retakes upon retakes to hone the scene to perfection."

Asked if he was worried about hurting Pascal during filming, the 6' 9" Icelander replied: "We had to be careful during rehearsal but during the fight itself, while filming, we had to go all in and that is where all the hard work paid off so no one got hurt, but we were able to create this amazing fight."

Despite his stature, he admitted that wielding the giant sword during the scene was "exhausting".

The Mountain previously fought The Hound in season one (Picture: HBO) (HBO)

"Wielding the sword all day long is tiring," he added. "Tto begin with it's so heavy there are only a few who can use it. But during the fight itself was especially intense -- brutal. There were no holds barred and there were retakes upon retakes to hone the scene to perfection. Naturally that is exhausting."

Pascal meanwhile, who was sent to a Wushu trainer to prepare for the fight scene, described the experience of filming it as "breathtaking".

"It felt as epic as it is in the story," he said. "We were in this really beautiful location in Dubrovnik, Croatia overlooking the Asiatic Sea. The design team had created this incredible arena for a battle right on the water with these immaculately dressed extras. It was breathtaking to be a part of. The show upped its game as far as its own production design — which it's already incredible at."

Game of Thrones made its triumphant return on Sunday night after taking a week off due to Memorial Day in the US, a bank holiday that takes place on the last Monday of May to honour the men and women who have died in the country’s armed forces.