Movies and Edged Weapons Pt. 2

Emanuel · 18th January 2007, 02:35 AM

Just saw this movie today, and I do recommend it. There's quite a bit of flying around, as Chinese movies are famous for, but the story is quite good and it features a lot of fighting...The story is akin to some Shakespearean dramas, and does a good job of showing the wielding of true power.

There is a particular cycle knife/sword a lot like a large bank, or maybe like some versions of the falx. Of course it's used in very weird ways, thrown around and caught back like a boomerang, but nice anyway. I have many many misgivings about the types of warfare depicted but I'll put that down to artistic license

There's also some interesting pole-arm fights, but somehow I doubt these were ever used in close quarter combat. Magnificent demonstration of armour, but again, I somehow doubt these were 10th century styles.

Emanuel

David · 3rd April 2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manolo

Just saw this movie today, and I do recommend it. There's quite a bit of flying around, as Chinese movies are famous for, but the story is quite good and it features a lot of fighting...The story is akin to some Shakespearean dramas, and does a good job of showing the wielding of true power.

There is a particular cycle knife/sword a lot like a large bank, or maybe like some versions of the falx. Of course it's used in very weird ways, thrown around and caught back like a boomerang, but nice anyway. I have many many misgivings about the types of warfare depicted but I'll put that down to artistic license

There's also some interesting pole-arm fights, but somehow I doubt these were ever used in close quarter combat. Magnificent demonstration of armour, but again, I somehow doubt these were 10th century styles.

Emanuel

Haven't seen this one yet, but from the same director at House of Flying Daggers and Hero i believe. Both were brilliantly stylized martial arts films which elevate the genre to a high art...but i do not suppose they are meant to be historically accurate. Somehow i don't think the breast popping bodice fashions i saw in the trailer are exactly period either.

This is purely art for art's sake and beautifully done at that. Love the directors use of color!

Emanuel · 3rd April 2007, 10:01 PM

haha yeah, they look more like French courtesans at the courts of Louis 14-16.

FenrisWolf · 4th April 2007, 01:19 AM

Not to detract from all things Middle Eastern and SE Asian, but what are some of the better films as far as the European Dark Ages? I was just watching "The 13th Warrior" again, which is one of those that makes me crazy. It's one of the best made as far as capturing Norse attitudes and beliefs ("Your sword is too heavy? Grow stronger!") which is why I love the film, but the arms and armor are a complete nightmare. The viking swords have been given a growth hormone, turning them into two-handed swords, and the armor is a blend of everything from a Roman Gladiator's helm to a 16th century back-and-breastplate, complete with Milanese engraving. Oh, and you have to love Antonio Banderas grinding one of those oversized, double-edged viking broadswords down into a passable single-edged scimitar (that is now sharp enough to cut through a three inch branch with one blow!)

So, examples of reasonably accurate films set in and around the Norman conquest of England or the earlier Viking raids of the same? The only one that jumps to mind for me is 'The Warlord' starring Charlton Heston....

Emanuel · 4th April 2007, 02:20 AM

How about "Beowul and Grendel" with Gerard Butler? It's decent fun, but I don't know how accurate arms and armour are.
I think Danish, Swedish and Norwegian cinema has quite a lot of Norse epics that never see the light of day in the English-speaking world. Give IMDB a search and see what comes up.
I would love to see cinematic adaptations of some of the Icelandic Sagas. They make wicked story-telling.

Andrew · 4th April 2007, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenrisWolf

Not to detract from all things Middle Eastern and SE Asian, but what are some of the better films as far as the European Dark Ages? I was just watching "The 13th Warrior" again, which is one of those that makes me crazy. It's one of the best made as far as capturing Norse attitudes and beliefs ("Your sword is too heavy? Grow stronger!") which is why I love the film, but the arms and armor are a complete nightmare. The viking swords have been given a growth hormone, turning them into two-handed swords, and the armor is a blend of everything from a Roman Gladiator's helm to a 16th century back-and-breastplate, complete with Milanese engraving. Oh, and you have to love Antonio Banderas grinding one of those oversized, double-edged viking broadswords down into a passable single-edged scimitar (that is now sharp enough to cut through a three inch branch with one blow!)

So, examples of reasonably accurate films set in and around the Norman conquest of England or the earlier Viking raids of the same? The only one that jumps to mind for me is 'The Warlord' starring Charlton Heston....

Fenris, I fear you'll be dissappointed if you insist on weapon/armour accuracy in your movies.

For fun, check out the recent "King Arthur" with Kyra Knightly. A new movie is coming out soon about viking visitors to North America. Can't recall the name right now, but in the trailer it was taking the standard liberties.

Emanuel · 4th April 2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

A new movie is coming out soon about viking visitors to North America. Can't recall the name right now, but in the trailer it was taking the standard liberties.

It's called Pathfinder. You'll laugh...or cry...most likely both.

David · 4th April 2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Fenris, I fear you'll be dissappointed if you insist on weapon/armour accuracy in your movies.

For fun, check out the recent "King Arthur" with Kyra Knightly. A new movie is coming out soon about viking visitors to North America. Can't recall the name right now, but in the trailer it was taking the standard liberties.

The new flick you are referring to Andrew is called Pathfinder. It is based on a graphic novel so you can bet that it will be visually beautiful and dreadfully inaccurate much as the terribly over-hyped 300 was. Hpoefully it will be better scripted and directed than that travesty and not insulting an entire ancient culture that was the foundation of modern civilization along the way.

But a quick viewing through the films picture gallery doesn't leave much room for accuracy. Looks pretty though.

http://www.pathfinderthemovie.com/

Rick · 4th April 2007, 03:25 PM

Looks like a great sword and shield movie; I saw the poster when I went to see 300.
Throw accuracy out the window and just enjoy the action.

The Wampanoag were just recently recognised by the US gov't; they are our local tribe here on Cabo Bacalau .

18th January 2007, 02:35 AM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	The Curse of the Golden Flower Just saw this movie today, and I do recommend it. There's quite a bit of flying around, as Chinese movies are famous for, but the story is quite good and it features a lot of fighting...The story is akin to some Shakespearean dramas, and does a good job of showing the wielding of true power. There is a particular cycle knife/sword a lot like a large bank, or maybe like some versions of the falx. Of course it's used in very weird ways, thrown around and caught back like a boomerang, but nice anyway. I have many many misgivings about the types of warfare depicted but I'll put that down to artistic license There's also some interesting pole-arm fights, but somehow I doubt these were ever used in close quarter combat. Magnificent demonstration of armour, but again, I somehow doubt these were 10th century styles. Emanuel

4th April 2007, 03:25 PM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Wampanoags Looks like a great sword and shield movie; I saw the poster when I went to see 300. Throw accuracy out the window and just enjoy the action. The Wampanoag were just recently recognised by the US gov't; they are our local tribe here on Cabo Bacalau .

3rd April 2007, 10:01 PM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	haha yeah, they look more like French courtesans at the courts of Louis 14-16.

4th April 2007, 01:19 AM	#4
FenrisWolf Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 181	Not to detract from all things Middle Eastern and SE Asian, but what are some of the better films as far as the European Dark Ages? I was just watching "The 13th Warrior" again, which is one of those that makes me crazy. It's one of the best made as far as capturing Norse attitudes and beliefs ("Your sword is too heavy? Grow stronger!") which is why I love the film, but the arms and armor are a complete nightmare. The viking swords have been given a growth hormone, turning them into two-handed swords, and the armor is a blend of everything from a Roman Gladiator's helm to a 16th century back-and-breastplate, complete with Milanese engraving. Oh, and you have to love Antonio Banderas grinding one of those oversized, double-edged viking broadswords down into a passable single-edged scimitar (that is now sharp enough to cut through a three inch branch with one blow!) So, examples of reasonably accurate films set in and around the Norman conquest of England or the earlier Viking raids of the same? The only one that jumps to mind for me is 'The Warlord' starring Charlton Heston....

4th April 2007, 02:20 AM	#5
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	How about "Beowul and Grendel" with Gerard Butler? It's decent fun, but I don't know how accurate arms and armour are. I think Danish, Swedish and Norwegian cinema has quite a lot of Norse epics that never see the light of day in the English-speaking world. Give IMDB a search and see what comes up. I would love to see cinematic adaptations of some of the Icelandic Sagas. They make wicked story-telling.