 THE
WIND AND THE LION
My favorite movie of the period. True story (sort of,
remember, this is the movies) of the kidnapping of an American woman and
her children by a Berber Chief, El Risuli in Morocco 1902. (The real Pedacaris
was a man. They made him a woman for the movie, but who cares?). Shows
the political wrangling in Washington with Roosevelt sending in the Marines
to secure her release. Wonderful three way battle at the end between US
Marines, Germans and Arabs. Don't miss the Marines storming the Pasha's
Palace in the middle either. (The battles didn't happen either, but again,
so what?) |
 MARCH
OR DIE
Slow paced story of the Legion's return to Morocco after
W.W.I. Sent to guard an archaeological dig in Erfoud, it concentrates on
characters for most of the movie but the battle scene against Abdl el Krim
at the end of the movie is well worth waiting for. One of the few movies
on the subject and very rare.
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|
 BEAU
GESTE
A scene for scene remake of the earlier silent movie
that starred Ronald Coleman. This is the best talkie version and stars
Gary Cooper. Classic story by P.C. Wren of three brothers who run off to
the French Foreign Legion to hide from scandal and shame. The fort Zinderneuf
is the basis for Old Glory's fort from their French Foreign Legion line
of which it is an almost exact replica. |
 FORT
SAGANNE
French film, one of their most
expensive ever, starring
Gerrard Depardieu. The adventures of a French officer in early 20th century
Algeria.
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|
 LEGIONNAIRE
Van Damme is a playboy living in Paris in the 1920's.
He falls in love with the mistress of a mob boss, and when the boss finds
out, joins the French Foreign Legion to hide out.
Good desert battle scenes against the Berbers. Includes
a beautifully done desert fort that should inspire a few model builders.
|
 BREAKER
MORANT
During the Boer War, three Australian lieutenants are
on trial for shooting Boer prisoners. Although they acted under orders,
the General Staff tries them in an attempt to save political face at the
close of the war. Good battle scenes shown as flash backs during the trial.
|
|
 LAWRENCE
OF ARABIA
One of the best movies ever made. Terrific telling of
the story of T. E. Lawrence's organization of the Arab revolt against the
Turk during W.W.I in Arabia. The movie is long but well paced. Great battle
scenes and makes a great wargaming period.
|
 YOUNG
WINSTON
Tells of the early life of Winston Churchill. Starts
with action in the North West Frontier, moves to Sudan and then the Boer
War. Good action scenes and pretty faithful to Churchill's auto biography.
Gives a very good feel for British attitude during the
late colonial period.
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|
 LION
OF THE DESERT
Italy was among the first to use armored vehicles in
the desert which is depicted excitingly in this telling of Omar Mukhtar's
Arab revolt against them in Libya. Set in the latter stages of the revolt
that lasted form Italy's invasion in 1911 to oust the Turks until Mukhtar's
defeat in 1931. Just released on DVD
|
 ZULU
My other favorite movie of the period. More British "wog
bashing". Tells the story of the Zulus who didn't get to fight at Isandlwana
and who instead attacked the mission station at Rorkes Drift. Outnumbered
more than 30-1 the Brits hold out, but only just. Terrific battle scenes
and the final defense of the redoubt following a choral battle is not to
be missed by any wargamer.
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|
 THE
MAN WHO WOULD BE KING
Not too much battle in this depiction of Rudyard Kipling's
novel of two British Soldiers of Fortune. They attempt to set themselves
up as rulers of a small tribal kingdom north of Afghanistan. It does however
give a great feel for the classic colonial period and is a ripping yarn
from start to finish.
|
 ZULU
DAWN
The prequel to Zulu. Shows the battle of Isandlwana that
took place the day before Rorkes Drift. Good battle scenes but not as good
as Zulu. Bob Hoskins gives a performance as Sgt. Major to rival that of
Color Sgt. Borne in Zulu. Well worth watching if your going to be into
Zulu wargaming.
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|
 THE
CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
Major Vickers is an officer at the 27th Lancers in India
1856. When the regiment is on maneuver, the barracks are attacked by Surat
Khan and his soldiers who massacre British women and children. This leaves
an inextinguishable memory and Vickers promises to revenge the dead.
|
 THE
LIVES OF A BENGAL LANCER
The 41st Bengal Lancers are stationed on the Northwest
Frontier of British India, guarding against Afridi invaders led by wily
Mohammed Khan. Experienced (though insubordinate) Lieut. McGregor is joined
by two new arrivals, haughty Forsythe and callow Donald Stone...son of
the commanding colonel. We follow the three through varied adventures and
hardships. Will they uphold the honor of the regiment? Will Stone and the
Colonel come to terms with their difficult relationship?
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 55
DAYS AT PEKING
With the release of Old Glory Boxer
Rebellion figures, this one is well worth the rent. The area of Peking
that comprises the foreign legations (consulates) is surrounded and cut
off while being stormed by the anti foreign rebellion nominally supported
by the Chinese Empress. A huge relief force is landed and marches
across land to relieve them after someone notices they haven't heard from
the legations for a while. Lots of street fighting.
Good movie and now lots of figures
to game it with.
|
 THE
ROUGH RIDERS
If you haven't seen this TV movie, I can definitely recommend
it. I've just watched it and think its great. Directed by John Millius
(The Wind and the Lion, Red Dawn) its a movie museum piece of historical
weaponry. Tom Berenger is surprisingly convincing as Teddy Roosevelt and
Gary Busey is hilarious as General 'Fighting' Joe Wheeler (a former Confederate
General requested by President McKinley to be General to a brigade that
included Negro troops that needed to be marched through the South to depart
for Cuba). Lots of action and only the necessary amount of character building.
My favorite line
General Joe Wheeler: We've got the Yankees on
the run!
Lieutenant Wheeler
(his son and adjutant): Spaniards,
sir; and they're falling back onto prepared positions.
General Joe Wheeler: Don't spoil it, son.
The final assault on San Juan Heights is classic movie
stuff brought down to earth only by the fact that it really happened. There
is also a good sideline: the War being covered by opium addict Stephen
Crane (author of Red Badge of Courage, about the Civil War, a war at which
he wasn't present) who was pretty much in the thick of things... when he
was sober enough to figure out where he actually was.
Lots of Old Glory figures for this war.
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|
 THE
FOUR FEATHERS
Although it pales next to the 1939 classic version, as
a made-for-television feature this film is well worth watching. It tells
the story of a young Englishman driven to extreme lengths to prove to himself
& his friends that he is not a coward.
Surrounded by a fine British cast, Beau Bridges might
seem wrongly cast in the main role, but he does a stalwart job throughout.
Good action scenes set in Muslim Africa. Co-stars include Jane Seymour,
Harry Andrews (great as Bridges' fierce old father), Robert Powell, Richard
Johnson, Simon Ward, David Robb & Robin Bailey.
|
 GUNGA
DIN
Based loosely on the poem by Rudyard Kipling, this takes
place in British India during the Thuggee uprising. Three fun loving sergeants
are doing fine until one of them wants to get married and leave the service.
The other two trick him into a final mission where they end up confronting
the entire cult by themselves as the British Army is entering a trap. This
is of the "War is fun" school of movie making. It has the flavor of watching
Notre Dame play an inferior high school team.
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|
 MICHAEL
COLLINS
The controversial story (at least the Hollywood version
of it) of Michael Collins.
Some good battle scenes early on in the movie of the 1916
uprising. A well acted movie, Liam Neesen is very good and has a strong
supporting cast.
|
 KHARTOUM
The Mahdi's revolt against the British at Khartoum in
1885 and the demise of General "Chinese" Gordon. Great battle scenes offset
the heavy dialogue.
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|
 THE
SAND PEBBLES
Engineer Jake Holman arrives aboard the gunboat U.S.S.
San Pablo, assigned to patrol a tributary of the Yangtze in the middle
of exploited and revolution torn 1926 China. His iconoclasm and cynical
nature soon clash with the "rice-bowl" system which runs the ship and the
uneasy symbiosis between Chinese and foreigner on the river. Hostility
towards the gunboat's presence reaches a climax when the boat must crash
through a river-boom and rescue missionaries upriver at China Light Mission.
This is Steve McQueens best movie.
|
 KIM
In 1880s India, Kim, a young English boy, roams around
after his parents have died, disguising himself as a native boy whenever
it suits him. He befriends Mahbub Ali, an Afghan horse trader who's an
agent of the English secret service (although Kim doesn't know this). When
at one time he runs an errand for Mahbub Ali, Kim gets involved in the
world of espionage and it comes to depend on him whether or not an attack
of rebel soldiers can be stopped.
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