RFCM

So, this is intended to be a visual equivalent to the Currently Reading persistent thread.

I will start with the recent 8-part "Troy: Fall of a City". I've been catching up with my recordings of this and have got as far as episode 3.

I know very little about the period (other than the rich warriors rode around in chariots, and no-one had invented steel yet).

I'm not so sure about folk charging around on large horses (I'd thought that the point of chariots was that horses hadn't yet been bred sufficiently strong enough to be ridden into battle, but that could be a myth), but like the not-too-fantasy armour and generally gritty look.

I'm equally not sure how one could make an interesting wargame out of this (any ideas?) but it's a story I've always been interested in and am delighted it's been given the "box set treatment by the BBC.

Unfortunately my opinion of the show is not very positive. In fact I wondered how such an exciting story could be presented in such a boring way. I think I'll stick with the Brad Pitt version. As for wargaming: it was an age of heroic warfare so skirmish gaming is probably the best way to do it.

I have to say I agree, I watched the first two episodes which was a struggle as they were so terribly done. I hoped it would improve but sadly not.

I don't tend to watch much television nowadays beyond the news, but I am currently watching season 2 of Westworld and have just started watching Siren for which I am as of yet undecided as to if I like it?

I have recently been watching El Ministerio Del Tiempo on Netflix. OK, it is sub-titled, but as I am trying to improve my Spanish this is a bonus for me. The storylines are really engaging, the premise being that Spain has access to a building with many doors, each of which leads to a different year in the past. The Spanish government has set up a secret ministry (complete with budget cuts) to oversee the doors and ensure history is not messed about, but of course all sorts of characters are trying to access the present in order to change their own particular history. So far Napoleonic spies have been after modern weapons to change the course of the Peninsular War, and the Nazis have been prevented from dragging Spain into WWII, whilst also attempting to access the present for their own gain. A famous Spanish poet has also been prevented from dying prematurely on the Spanish Armada. The agents who work for the ministry also come from different time periods, whilst at the same time the show is not averse to poking fun at modern Spain compared to its glorious past. If you can cope with sub-titles I would recommend this as highly entertaining.

Anyone been watching Missions on BBC4? Shame it is in French but every now and then something that I feel is worthwhile reading the subtitles for comes along (as I don't speak French.) If you don't know it is about the first manned mission to Mars with a bit of a twist. Seems quite exciting so far. I have watched the first three episodes so far as catching up on the iPlayer.

Yes, I have been watching it. I think, like a lot of European stuff, it is very good as it doesn't suffer from the American habit of lathering everything in smulch. I actually find that paying attention to the subtitles helps in picking up foreign language idiom  - so stay calm, tranquillo; con dios.

Maybe not watching but listening. Any Questions on BBC Radio 4 this week was talking about the high street and shops closing. One of the panel members (Edwina.) was talking about the need for retailers to make the High Street presence more of an experience and tie it in with the online sales rather than you g for an old style store that has not kept up with the times, like what has happened to so many department stores recently that have folded.
Anyway, one retailer that was singled out for using their stores for an experience rather than specifically just retail and as such proving to be a huge success not placing profit just for the store as its reason for existing, was Games Workshop where you can go play games, not just buy stuff. It was seen as an example of the way ahead. Just a pitty they seemed a bit confused about if it was wargames or video games but then I guess her even knowing the name of the company is something!

Fortunately Wargames in Southport has gone that way - late opening, games being played and food and drink available, plus a friendly, knowledgeable but not pushy staff.

Yes, the store that has opened in Weymouth is following this trend as well. Trouble is that it is not very big, but you have to take what you can afford I guess.
The one problem with this sort of store and maybe it is in part the summer me t matter is that it tends to become a hang out for smellies and noisy teens, or a substitute babysitter for kids dropped off by parents doing the shopping. Subsequently I find they can get noisy and uncomfortable if not properly controlled.

Yes Duncan I noticed that when I called in Boss minies, you and Mike were playing a game and the 5 or 6 kids on the window table were just chat in and on their phones. Scot (opener) was drown that her end talking to someone .
.

If you are interested there is a video of me reciting two of my poems on Conny's YouTube channel now!

Sounds good Duncan. Can you put a link to make it easier to find.

Hee is th liink I hope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6_C33Z9TCA

Let me know what you think?

The other night I watched Mohawk on Netflix. Set in woodland New York state in 1814, about a British agent and two Mohawk Indians being pursued by an American patrol. It started quite promisingly, then became rather strange, and I wasn't sure at the end whether one of the Indians was alive or a ghost. Unusual cinematic fare though, the War of 1812.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06l0r01

See above link, Radio 5 Live, Up All Night Science with Dr Karl. Around 37 minutes in there is a question for Dr Karl from me regarding Earth, Pluto and clearing out ones orbital path.

What is your view on this subject, Duncan. Should we bring back Pluto?

I cannot see why? There maybe larger objects out there but then I Don't see why they cannot be planets as well.

For example if the talked about planet 9 is found the evidence points to it being a Super-Earth category which would make sense as it seems our system is an odd one out not having a planet of that mass; but it is also going to be a Kuiper Belt object and as such will no more of cleared its orbital trajectory than what Pluto will have.

Or for that matter Neptune, as we all know for part of its orbit (admittedly a small part) Pluto is nearer to the Sun than Neptune, so the same could be said for it as well. As I mentioned in my question, Earth is far from clearing its orbit although I admit nothing that big is in our way.

As it happens and unbeknown to me at the time of my question (as I have been pondering t for a while now.) A paper has just been published on the matter detailing the number of Trojans sharing orbits with Jupiter (some of which are quite big) as well as Earth and putting the point across that Jupiter is also in the same uncleared orbital position as Pluto and as such should also have planetvstatus withdrawn if this is the one criteria on which Pluto falls down under the new classification, which it is.

Personally I think that is a rubbish criteria as if we applied itvstrictly then none of the planet's would actually be planets.

When I was growing up a planet was an object orbiting the Sun (or another star.) That was also spherical under the influence of its own gravity. Therefore Pluto was one, but so would some of the other small worlds out there be and that is fine by me and to be honest I think most people. What we call then isn't going to matter two hoots to them, so it doesn't matter to me either. I see no issue with our sysem having twenty planets if that is how many it has.

I say make people happy, reinstate Pluto and bring those other worlds in from the cold! Most of them have names anyway and it is surprising how quickly children can memorise a few extra!

Talking of TV shows. Has anybody seen the Channel 5 series "The Great Model Railway Challenge" a very good concept and shows the problems we have all experienced one way or another doing shows and tables for events etc....
Giving teams 3 days to make a layout to use and show. Showing some modelling technical abilities and problems. Worth taking a look.

Recorded for later viewing. Maybe the Great British Wargame isn't far away!

They done that a few years back, BBC 2 ?
This one is done in conjunction with i e of the railway magazines.
Looking at there site, they are doing a model railway scene in a cakebox, 8 inch square, that looks good too.

Just finished watching a film called 'Forbidden Ground'. It tells the story of 3 soldiers stranded in no mans land after a failed offensive during the later stages of WW1. Worth a watch. It's no Saving Private Ryan and a tad sentimental but I really quite enjoyed it.

Quote from: Smiley Miley 66 on October 15, 2018, 03:56:09 AM
They done that a few years back, BBC 2 ?

Do you mean the C4 one with Angela Rippon Paddy Griffiths and Ian Dickie? BBC 2 did Time Commanders the most recent incarnation presented by Al Murray.

Completely away from my historical wargaming, I stumbled across Colony on Netflix (not to be confused with another Sci Fi - The Colony). TBH it is an allegory of the Holocaust. Earth has been conquered by an Alien Race (surprisingly kept under wraps, with only hints, even after two series) and, after a fair proportion of humanity has been killed off, the remaining cities have been divided up into blocks by prefabricated 300' high steel walls. The inhabitants are policed by collaborating humans, the most important of whom have their own fenced off  area of huge mansions and massive gardens. Humans who transgress are either shipped off (literally) to a labour camp on the moon, called the factory, or to labour camps just outside the walls. And of course there are various resistance groups. Still don't yet know what the ultimate agenda of the aliens is, but humans are being gradually exterminated. As can be seen - many parallels with the holocaust and some excellent plot lines. If you enjoy sci fi series I would recommend this one, if you can get past the American obsession with family, hugging and saying I love you every five minutes.

Saw Peterloo yesterday.

It was ok. It seemed like every actor with a vaguely north west accent was in it with lots of 'see thee's' and 'ah's' thrown around.

I thought the film was a bit...empty. By that I mean there is a lot of build up to the event then virtually nothing after. This is possibly the film makers intent to make you go away and research for yourself what the aftermath was.

5/10

This year is designated my 'get to know WW2' year. The period has always been a bit of a Dark Age for me. I can tell the difference between a Tiger and a Panther tank, and I'm aware of who won, but as to tactics, the number of rivets on a Pz38t or how far a Spitfire could fly before needing to refuel I am clueless.

As such I am gorging on books, film and documentaries.

One such is the German produced 3 part drama 'Generation War.' I was very impressed with it, taking as it did the human angle of 5 friends and how the war affected them. Uniforms seemed correct. I think I saw some Tiger tanks. And the German was all dramatically correct.

I would recommend this if you haven't seen it. It's available on Netflix.

I am currently watching Carnival Row on Amazon Prime. This is a really nice bit of steampunk set in an alternative Victorian-type world, where humans live alongside faeries, pucks, and other unusual creatures. In war men have bolt action rifles, gatling guns, rockets and airships. The main mode of public transport in the main city is an overhead monorail steam tram. And of course there is lots of intrigue, and a (possibly intentional) Brexit/Trump parallel where some of the humans are getting upset about the influx of fae refugees from the human war, spouting such complaints as they're changing the fabric of our society to they're taking our jobs.

Anyone watched 'The King' on Netflix?
It's about Henry V from becoming King to Agincourt.

The recreation of Agincourt was excellent I thought.

Recently tried watching Peterloo. Gave up on it, thought it needed a rigorous edit to make it more watchable. It could easily have an hour pruned from it, without actually losing any of the story.

Another Carnival Row recommendation here too. Looks good, good cast, good writing. Pleased to hear a second series has been commissioned.

Plus we'll see how good the BBC's Philip Pullman adaptation is tonight.

Thanks for the info on the Henry V Netflix programme. I wasn't actually aware of it, and here I am halfway through Juliet Barker's Agincourt, which incidentally is a really good read.

I have recently been watching the Anderton's Music Store videos on You Tube. I don't play a musical instrument, but these vids are both very informative about guitars, amps pedals etc, and also very amusing in a way that most presenters on You Tube fail to achieve. The best vids feature the Captain (Lee Anderton), Chappers (Rob Chapman) and Danish Pete (Peter Honore). Lee Anderton is also a very good interviewer and has some fascinating guests on the show.

His Dark Materials looks very promising. I thought the books were excellent.

Can't be worse than the Hollywood version!

I'm currently rewatching HBO's Rome to get in the mood for my Roman army.
Couldn't get through book 3 of His Dark Materials so I'm hoping to watch the series.

I have now watched the film, and in a few places it actually did touch on the historical life of Henry V, but I am assuming it was filmed in Philadelphia as enormous liberties were taken.  Had it been called The Red Shield of The Tower, about an episode in the life of King Harold IV it would have been a brilliant medieval romp, but history it ain't.

Still the battle scene was impressive??

Yes indeed, although I don't think the Dauphin was even there. He certainly outlived Henry. Did Thomas die in battle? Yes he did, in 1421. Were Henry and Hotspur on the same battlefield? Yes they were. It was Shrewsbury in 1403, Henry IV was in good health; prince Henry and Hotspur did not fight each other; Thomas wasn't present but King Henry was; prince Henry was wounded by an arrow in the right side of his face, thus the Henry in the film had the scar on the left side of the face. The devil, as all filmmakers know, is in the detail. But yes, it was a good battle scene. I could go on but it would become tedious.

One last thing - they chose an actor to play Hotspur who looked more like Henry V than the actor who played Henry V (who looked more like Rowan Atkinson). Why do I never get asked to consult on films?

Having no idea on the premise of the film I thought the opening scene was the young Prince Hal  :D

I enjoyed it as a medieval romp. It was interesting that they didnt make it obvious who was who and where was where...

The bit about Thomas being preferred for the crown was odd too. And the claim that he died in Wales. What gets me most is, why do they mess with history when history tells a better story?

My sentiments entirely. Henry V's actual story is a gripping yarn. This production, despite a good battle scene emphasising the mud at Agincourt,  and a passable stab at the siege of Harfleur (never actually named), was lamentable in it's approach to Henry V's actual story. The film was long enough to deal with the early rebellion by Glyndwr and Percy and then focus on Henry IV's favouritism towards prince Thomas. Then it could have dealt with the king's declining health and falling out with prince Henry owing to the latter's disagreement about the way the country was being run. After the king's death Henry was convinced of his right to the French throne. Negotiations with the French were unsuccessful, and the new king had to raise loans, troops, a navy, provisions etc, and all the while Cambridge's plot was happening and needed dealing with. On landing in France prince Thomas was instrumental in organising half of the force besieging Harfleur, whilst prince John (along with Humphrey, never mentioned in the film) was entrusted as regent of England. Henry did issue a personal challenge to the Dauphin, who simply ignored it. Further, I can only assume that Fastolf's involvement and death at the battle of Agincourt is a nod to the never mentioned Duke of York. As for the supposed assassination story I've never come across that before. In short anyone who gets their information on Henry V from this film will be getting a large amount of total b.......cks.

The King is quite good viewing. Just don't think about it.

Looks like the writers took a good spoonful of Shakespeare, a pinch of historical fact, and bulked it all out with made-up-ness.


As an aside, I can heartily recommend the BBC podcast on Tunnel 29

Let's have the Civil War version. Initially Charles and his father don't get along so James decides that his younger son James will become king. However, this never happens as prince James is killed fighting the Spanish. Later in the film Charles, at the head of the red clad Pennyman's regiment takes on Jones' blewe regiment, during which he is approached by Cromwell, who offers to fight a duel, but then trips over. In a very dismissive way Charles nods at Pennyman's pikemen who fall on the hapless Cromwell with abandon. What a great watch that would be.  ;D ;D ;D I guess we historians are just going to have to grin and bear the film industry's peccadilloes.

The suspension of belief (and facts) is a prerequisite for watching anything remotely pitched as 'historical'. everything needs some Hollywood 'sexing up'.

I am surprised, with the current political climate and the wealth of commentators making analogies with the Civil Wars, that no-one has pitched a good Civil war script to the film industry or the telly box.

For the Civil Wars Charles II's flight from the Battle of Worcester wouldn't need any sexing it up treatment. A tale of ripping yarn quality. Our hero, Charles, has to travel across merry old England in a number of disguises; aided by a glamorous strong woman (i'm sure she could become a lady from the colonies, in order to appeal to the American market), dodging evil incompetent stormtroopers Parliamentarian troops led by the the Sith Lord Cromwell. Lots of close calls (dramatic music), pretty cinematography, and the King winning in the end (boo/hurrah delete as appropriate). Plus it's not a superhero film. Box office success.

I thought the Charles Spencer book on this subject was rather good, as was the book on the King Killers.

I live in hope that maybe Auntie Beeb will come up with a good and reasonably accurate Civil War script, after all, they appear to have done a pretty good job with His Dark Materials, much better than Hollywood, and decades ago they did a great drama on the trial of Charles I, complete with stuttering Scottish accent.

Andy, what did you think of By The Sword Divided, many years ago...?

BtSWD trivia - the dashing Tom Lacey is the one and only David Archer, from Ambridge. Surprised that Linda Snell could only ever get him to play an ugly sister in the village Christmas panto.

If i remember I quite liked BTSD, but was disappointed that the fight scenes never seemed to involve more than  three or four people.

Have started watching His Dark Materials. A good few years since I read the books, but the Beeb seems to have made a jolly good fist of it - most enjoyable.

I'm fairly sure By the Sword Divided is available on its entirety on YouTube.

His Dark Materials was a great trilogy of books. I assume the Tv series only covers the first one, although the using the series title might suggest otherwise. I really do hope they do a series per book otherwise it will be incredibly rushed.

As I understand it from a couple of reviews on the radio and in the papers this first series covers Northern Lights only and the intention is to follow on with two further series to cover the trilogy. BUT look what happened to Tripods in the 80s!

Thank the Lord. I was nervous that they would screw it up.

Just finished Godless on Netflix, wow only 7 episodes and 1 series. But just for the scenery alone. It's good Western action situated in New Mexico, a place called La Belle ( old silver mining settlement) north of the Red River. Based on a true story. But to me what you would expect to see in a settlement that was trying to grow from nothing. For us that would be playing Western it's great, not too build up and still very rural and back street.
Miles

Agreed Miles. Good series.

martin

'Fauda' on Netflix. Brilliant.

Robert Redford's "the West" on Netflix that's very good and very informative I found, with some great acting and re enacted scenes on there too, covering the history of the East and West from 1865 thru to 1890's thru some of the prominent characters of the time. I ve got a stack load of Westerns arriving to watch, hooray for the 2nd hand market on dvd/blue ray from EBay and Amazon.
Miles

I've just finished watching 1917, courtesy of a month's free Amazon Prime.

The story was quite simple yet engaging, and I found the trenches and other military kit looked pretty convincing.

Simon

Gone properly down market watching True Blood on Ziggo here in the Netherlands, having finally got round to finishing off GOT, again courtesy of Ziggo.

You are probably better not watching the last episode of GOT.  ;D :'(

We watched The Lone Ranger (2013, Johnny Depp and Annie Hammer) last night on Disney+. It was a great romp, particular for those who have watched the old black and white TV series.

Certainly not a historical film, but some nice period flavour for Western/ Pony Wars with railroads, US cavalry and Commanches.

Simon

I've been watching Versailles.  Just finished season 2.  It's surprisingly good.

Isn't Versailles something of a bodice-ripper? My wife started watching it, and it looked a tad unsuitable for the children!

Simon

Watched 'the Dig' film last night - about the Sutton Hoo treasure find. Rather good, even Mrs W enjoyed it.

Dave

The Dig has those Suffolk accents :).


martin

Very much so.

D

Does it use subtitles?

Simon

Didn't need them, spent a couple years on a posting in the East of England, so could just make it out. No, Simon, it wasn't a punishment tour either!

Dave

Thanks for the clarification, Dave, or else I'd have had to start Googling for labour camps  and chain gangs in that part of the world!

We had family in Suffolk, although I don't know whether their accent was authentic. I guess I'll need to stump up for Netflix to find out :)

Simon

Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on January 31, 2021, 11:45:20 AM
Isn't Versailles something of a bodice-ripper? My wife started watching it, and it looked a tad unsuitable for the children!

Simon

Just the same amount as Game of Thrones or The Tutors.

Now also subscribed to Netflix and watching Blacklist - proper C21st pulp and great fun. Also has Dutch titles which is a great way to pick up idiom.

Watching 'Contagion' tonight, I think Boris has seen it and using it for his planning.
I want to see how it ends instead of waiting 22nd Feb


Stewart

We are watching Knightfall on Netflix, It`s brilliant.

Hilary & I watched 'News of the World', Tom Hanks film. Very good, worth a watch.

Dave

Agreed Dave, Sue and I watched it, very good.
Just finished watching 'Hondo' Ideas for playing Pony wars.


Stewart

As an interesting fact.
The dog in Hondo is actually lassie.


martin :)

But wasn't there more than one Lassie?

Best wishes,
Martin Buck

Indeed


martin :)

About halfway through 2nd series of Designated Survivor on netflix now. Interesting storyline about the Whitehouse occupants with some very clever twists. It is actually almost believable which makes a change.  No, no mention of Mrs Trumps little boy in this story.

We have recently been deepening our historical knowledge of all things piratical by following the adventures of a certain captain Jack Sparrow on Disney+ (lockdown has a lot to answer for...).

While not everything in these films can be considered wholly factual, the portrayal of the town of St Martin in the final instalment (Salazar's Revenge) included an interesting mix of half-timbered medieval-style and Mediterranean-tiled rendered and pastel-painted buildings, which seemed quite authentic.

Does anyone have any views on the accuracy or otherwise of these constructions?

Simon

Can't say as I do me heartie. Avast behind - ruddy enormous!

I have been watching Star Trek:Lower Decks

If Star Fleet  ever exists this is what it would be like

Just discovered the BBC documentary (docudrama really) on Custer's last stand, on YouTube. For once some decent actors and a host of extras were employed and in many ways it was much better than the feature films I have seen.

I completely missed that one, Andy. The BBC iPlayer thingy tells me it was last shown in 2007 and is not currently available.

Thank goodness for YouTube! This one, presumably? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAh0_32FWQ8

Simon

This one:

https://youtu.be/YPjTFXpAZ_g

Ah - the benefits of being in the Netherlands! It's telling me I can't watch it from the UK...

Simon

Watch it here now Simon, no problems.

Sadly, we're not allowed to go to France currently either...

Simon

Yesterday finally watched Jadotville, great movie. I have been looking at the PP Professionals I bought last year, or maybe it was the year before that?, and was looking for some inspiration.
Have been listening to one of Mike Hoare's book too, and I have many ideas now!

Agreed, an excellent war film in the classic style.

I have been watching The Flash - never has a superhero wept so much, overthought everything in the entire universe or been such a wet drip. If it wasn't for Cisco, Killer Frost and the various guises of Harrison Wells I wouldn't have bothered.

Watched the film 6 Days this afternoon about the Iranian Embassy siege.

Jamie Bell is in it as a member of the SAS. Talk about tense! Really good I thought.

I do wonder how these men cope in these situations. Do they just go home, and when aske by their significant other whether they had had a good day, reply "oh, you know the usual."

Incredible that so many hostages survived.

I didn't know there was a film of the siege, Sean. I remember seeing it "live", though: I was watching a film (a Western, I think), and they paused it to cut to the live action. I wasn't impressed at having my film interrupted!
Simon

Worth watching I think.

I am currently watching two YouTube series by Real Time History. The first is a week by week account of the Franco-Prussian War called Glory and Defeat. I discovered the second through this - an absolutely mammoth production which was started in 2014 which is a week by week account of WWI called The Great War. It is still running as it deals with the post-war consequences as well, currently stuff like the Greek-Turkish War. They also have one on WWII.

I've recently watched Dunkirk, twice (i.e. both the John Mills 1958 and the Harry Styles 2017 versions).

I enjoyed both. The visuals in the 2017 version are often stunning, but I preferred the story line and character development in the original version.

The 2017 film is still available for free for a few days on BBC iPlayer for those of us in the UK, from where it can be downloaded.

Simon

The bridge that's blown up in Dunkirk (1958) is not far from where I  live and on my route to work.

Peter Pig makes a range of WWII Dutch figures. If you've ever wanted to know more about the Netherlands during WWII then have a look at this Dutch history teacher's channel. He narrates in English:

https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryHustle

It includes a whole series of videos on May 1940.

1899 on Netflix. Stumbled across this one last week and it makes for a good binge watch. An international cast and I think it was made in Germany. Languages include English, German, Spanish, Danish (or Norwegian, not sure on that one), Polish, Chinese and Japanese. Very unusual and soon develops into something quite different from first appearances.

Quote from: Leman (Andy) on November 27, 2022, 11:23:33 AM
1899 on Netflix. Stumbled across this one last week and it makes for a good binge watch. An international cast and I think it was made in Germany. Languages include English, German, Spanish, Danish (or Norwegian, not sure on that one), Polish, Chinese and Japanese. Very unusual and soon develops into something quite different from first appearances.

I'm on chapter 5 or 6 and it's increasingly looking similar to Dark, a show I had to drop because it was getting a little too complicated.
I'm liking 1899, I'm curious to see how it ends.

Did you catch the ending Matias. Kleo is another rather odd (but amusing) German offering. Couldn't help wondering if the grandfather in it was related to Arnold Schwartzeneger.

I did Andy, and I liked it.
I'm out of shows to watch right now.

The English is rather good. Set in the Old West. Well worth a look.

Sean,

Agree.  The English is super.  Thoroughly recommended.  Much better than the drivel on the SAS.

Richard

That's cutting, Richard!  :)

What didn't you like about Rogue Heroes?

Simon

This week watched the Series on PBS America about the Iran-Iraq war.  I recall it happening on the news at the time but didn't know a huge amount about it. Very intriguing series.   Think it would work quite well with AK rules.   One side modern (for the period but poorly led) against a huge poor quality but fanatical huge army with poor to little equipment.

Derek

In case they are of use I attach flowcharts for the Iranian and Iraqi forces that first appeared on the original RFCM group. They were pre AK47 reloaded.

Bankinista

Simon,

My views on Rogue Heroes are for a long conversation over a pint.  It's "Peaky Blinders" does WW2 in the style of a comic book.  Typical BBC dumbed down history.  At least they didn't cast a woman as Paddy Mayne.

Agree with Derek and others that the series on the Iran Iraq war is really interesting and well worth a watch.

Richard

Thanks Richard - I look forward to buying you that pint and hearing your views!

Simon

I'll have a look for The English, now I've blitzed Bastard Son and the Devil Himself. Gory doesn't begin to describe it. However, even though I enjoyed it overall, I wasn't impressed by the direction given to the two young protagonists, wanting to grab them by the scruff of the neck, give them a good shaking and tell them to stop being self-absorbed jokers as it was obvious they were in a life or death situation. I never truly believed that they ever really grasped this.

A long time war gaming friend was the Art Director on The English.

Not Gary C was it?

I thought Gary C was the star of High Noon.

Boxed off another weird and wonderful Netflix offering over the last couple of nights. "I am not okay with this" is pretty good and for some reason is presented in 7 short episodes, which together would make a decent film. Initially I thought it would be one of the awful semi-professional things that occaisionally pop up on Netflix, but this had proper actors and high production values and was really rather good.

Also watched recently "Geronimo - an American Legend." Anything with Robert Duvall in it is always worth a watch.

Chris Roope.  He also worked on the first film of Nativity.
And other TV shows.
He lives in London.

The film Waterloo is on now. great film with Christopher Plummer and Rod Steiger.   Looks very grainy now though lol

Derek

I don't know what it is about Waterloo, but I went to see it at the cinema when it first came out, and watched it again recently on a big TV, and I just don't rate it. Far better was The Charge of the Light Brigade, but maybe it's just that I prefer the later C19th.

I finished watching "Danger Close: the Battle of Long Tan" last night.

I thought it was very well done, with decent shots of the various kit in use too.

Simon

Watched the new "All quite on the Western Front" last night. Its OK but preferred the old version in black and white with subtitles. Just seemed more atmospheric.

Derek

Quote from: Leman (Andy) on December 12, 2022, 04:31:15 PM
I don't know what it is about Waterloo, but I went to see it at the cinema when it first came out, and watched it again recently on a big TV, and I just don't rate it.

Far better for me were the battle scenes (Borodino etc.) in Sergei Bondarchuk's 'War & Peace'... the scene with the gunner's ears bleeding is still powerful for me... Christopher Plummer's portrayal of Wellesley was good though... I was fortunate enough in my work to handle the sword Wellesley actually wore at Waterloo. I pictured Christopher Plummer's face as Wellesley at that moment.

Neil

Just watched Danger Close.  A really good tribute to the Aussies.  Extremely good film and a real attempt to portray combat.     For once a film with a high attention to the military detail - soldiers in equipment; in proper tactical formations; using tactical signs and proper radio language.  Shame other films and TV programmes can't make the effort!

Thoroughly recommended.

Richard

PS. Simon - thanks for the heads up!

Glad you enjoyed it Richard, and that in this instance our cinematographic tastes matched!  :D

Simon

I first watched Danger Close just before playing in Big Mike's  Long Tan game at the weekender. It really set the scene for a wonderful game. Probably in my top 5 war films of all time.

Watching the film has certainly helped with my motivation to get things ready for our Vietnam game at Beachhead.

Simon

I've just watched a 2019 documentary that I recorded from the Smithsonian Channel over Christmas: 'Combat Ships: Viking Longships'.

It covered the development, construction and use of the longship, from the Bronze Age to 1066, while focusing on the
Viking Age itself: some nice reconstructions as well as good detail from the excavated ships in the Oslo museum.

I enjoyed it!

Simon

Been watching the latest Ken Burns documentary series - The US and the Holocaust..  Three two hour episodes.  As brilliant as all his previous works, but very hard viewing. 

For all that, thoroughly recommended. History that people should learn.

Richard

Quote from: Moggy on December 29, 2022, 04:50:09 PM
Watched the new "All quite on the Western Front" last night. Its OK but preferred the old version in black and white with subtitles. Just seemed more atmospheric.

Derek

I also found this new version very disappointing. I think I was hoping for a technically updated version of the original in German. This current version seems like a totally different series of events made for schlock effect. The ending was frankly ridiculous, with the November 11th battlefield looking like something out of Passchendaele, rather than the landscape of the land beyond the trenches. I know there were some units that literally fought until 11am, but not a major offensive followed by a major tank counterattack. Definitely a lost opportunity.

Seven Kings Must Die

Watched this last night on Netflix. I know the Saxon oblong shields, the leather clothes etc, etc, are somewhat historically innaccurate, but nevertheless it was great fun, and featured my birthplace on the Wirral in the final conflagration. I may even have played on the battle site as I lived in the Dibbin Dale. Don't want to say too much about the plot as many may still be planning to watch, but it does round out Uhtred's story quite nicely.

I agree Andy
A great series.
It influenced the choice of period for LONGSHIPS (9th century).
I particularly liked the numbers of actors in it.  More than Sharpe.


martin :)

I finally managed to see Dune the other day. I enjoyed it, and there seem to be a fair number of similarities with the Star Wars series. I see that Dune 2 (already made) is due out in 1st March.

And Gladiator 2 will be out on 22nd November- I have high expectations after the original!

Simon

Just watched an unusual independent film on Prime, Spitfire over Berlin, dedicated to the RAF reconaissance photographers. Almost entirely set above the clouds. Unusual and quite moving.

History Hustle - with Dutch history teacher Stefan

This is a YouTube channel and one of his specialities is looking at lesser known activities in WWII. He presents the majority of his programmes in English, and if possible on location. Recently he did a lot on Yugoslavia during the war. Today I watched three of his programmes: why didn't France fight to the bitter end in 1940; Operation Nordwind, the last great German offensive in the west; clearing the Colmar Pocket prior to crossing the Rhine in Alsace. Although not much of a WWII gamer, I can see plenty of scope in these programmes for preparing games away from the more familiar territory of Normandy etc, especially the use of late war French troops in eastern France.

Information brought to gamers is always a good thing.
Thank you Andy.

martin :)

My old work colleague Angus Konstam talking about Pirates... What that nautical cove doesn't know after all these years of research isn't worth knowing. Well worth looking up his works.

Neil

I found a series on Sky History with AL Murray doing it.
Why do the Brits win Every War ?
So I will give that a watch over the next few days ?
Miles

Britain has done well in wars so far, but I think we will have problems winning any war in the future.

Do Suez, Afghanistan and Korea count as wins?

martin :)

Al Murray is an excellent historian. His new book on Arnhem is brilliant as his podcast with James Holland.

I watched the Lee Miller film starring Kate Winslet. Miller has a war photographer post Normandy. Her pictures from the concentration camps were some of the first to record the Nazi atrocities. Recommended...but not a cheery film.

The AWI was not a great success, perhaps made up for by 1812. It's why the US make such a big deal about New Orleans. Nothing like winning a battle after the peace treaty for the war you just lost has already been signed.

Ken Burns has an AWI series in the works. Not sure if it's out this coming year or 2026.

That sounds very promising Sean

martin :)

Before Dawn - An Australian WWI film,but not the desert or Gallipoli. I think this is based on a book about a unit on the Western Front. Mostly small action trench raid stuff, but also Aussies under artillery bombardment. All post-pickelhaub stuff, with the only largish attack coming near the end. Basically the story of how one young volunteer comes to terms with the necessary brutality of war. I thought it was pretty well done and really showed the importance of good NCOs, and officers not being too petty about regulations, which helped to bond the unit.

Anyone watching King David on Prime. Looks ok, although I haven't finished episode 1 yet. Appears to be all sorts of potential for backstabbing.