Rob Roy

[Panache]

I enjoyed the movie a lot. I thought Tim Roth gave a great performance as Archie

it is also one of the closer portrayals of accurate swordplay than most of hollywoods horrific sword twirlers. It's certainly not without it's flaws but it is one of the closer to accurate ones.

As a former fencer I concur. What they were doing was very believeable.

SPOILER ALERT

When the movie first came out I had a discussion with one of my employees about the duel. Now this employee stood 6'6" and weighed at least 300 lbs. to my 5'10" and 135 lb. He thought it wasn't realistic that a smaller man could cause so much damage to his larger foe. I explained that the smaller man, with the slimmer blade, and very precise training would be much faster.
Speed, I said smugly, allows us smaller slimmer men to beat our larger opponents. "Didn't the little guy get chopped in half in the end?" he questioned. "Well... yes...but he won the duel, Archie just got cocky at the end", I mumbled. He looked down at me "Well that's why we big guys always win. The little guys always get cocky when they are ahead. Then we big guys chop you little guys in half", he smiled and left the office.

I think he may have had a point

Cheers

[kg4zmf]

I agree with you Panache. I fenced epee in college, and being 6'3", I dreaded those short little guys, with their speed. I could always outreach them, but a good beat/glide, and BAM. They were inside, and they had you.

And the final duel reminded me of a for fun bout between me (an epeeist) and a sabre fencer. It ended up a draw, as we stayed at la belle for 8 touches (we forwent right-of-way for this bout). An epee and a baskethilt would be fairly evenly matched, depending on the skill level of the users.

As for the end of the duel, well what can you expect from one of those barbarian sabrists?

Andy

[Riverkilt]

Hmmm, I also fenced in college. But I thought the ending was the best part. I enjoyed seeing the fop become two fops.

Ron

[Panache]

...As for the end of the duel, well what can you expect from one of those barbarian sabrists? ...

(says Panache who was also an epee' fencer in college)

Unrelated to Rob Roy, but amusing. Last year I had the opportunity to play in a Live Action Role Playing Game (LARP). I chose as weapons a rapier and main gauche (these "weapons" are heavily padded pvc or bamboo posts with guards). My friend was giving me a few pointers and practice trying them out. I was surprised how badly I was doing considering my background. Finally my friend stopped me and said "Why do you keep only moving forward and backward? You are allowed to move around you know"

Cheers

[macwilkin]

To pick apart a movie based on the historical accuracy of it I think is too easy. A movie, is a movie. Entertainment, nothing more. You want a documentary then talk accuracy.

It's not that easy in a college classroom, when the majority of your students get their history from mostly Hollywood movies. History teachers frequently have to clean up the mess Hollywood makes.

Regards,

Todd

[Fearnest]

You mean the USS Nimitz didn't REALLY time-warp back to the Battle of Midway??? GASP!

(Removing tongue from cheek.)

Having taught at college too, I'll agree - Hollywood can make life more difficult for us to get the "accurate" information out. But it can also be a great tool in introducing learners to new subjects/areas, and motivate them to dig in and do the research to find out the truth!

[auld argonian]

Said it before, say it again:

Those who do not study history are condemned to learning it from Hollywood.

...and speaking of perverted history, I'm still looking for a screen shot of Mr. Peabody (from Rocky and Bullwinkle) in a kilt...I know it's out there.

Best

AA

[thescot]

It's not that easy in a college classroom, when the majority of your students get their history from mostly Hollywood movies. History teachers frequently have to clean up the mess Hollywood makes.

Amen, brother. I have the double task of correcting both the history and the literary mess the students learn from Hollywood. I find it interesting to give a quiz which, when answered solely based on the movie, will render a failing grade.

[Panache]

It's not that easy in a college classroom, when the majority of your students get their history from mostly Hollywood movies. History teachers frequently have to clean up the mess Hollywood makes...

One can hope that a movie inspires people to go out and learn more about history. When I've mentioned Dunkirk to people I tend to get blank looks.
Henry V and St. Crispin's Day? Ditto. Anything that's gets people to go out and "READ A BOOK" is a good thing. I think I'd rather have people have some idea (even if a bit distorted) than no clue.

I always thought that King Leonidas and the battle of Thermopylae was pretty interesting and stirring. I know very few people who have an inkling of what I'm talking about if I mentioned it as an example of how a few people can make a huge difference against overwhelming odds.

I believe a movie based on a comic book of this event is coming out in the next year or so called "300". I don't know if it wil be accurate, but it may get some people to take an interest and remember.

Cheers

You mean the USS Nimitz didn't REALLY time-warp back to the Battle of Midway??? GASP!

Now that's just crazy talk! Hush yourself.

[McClef]

Said it before, say it again:

Those who do not study history are condemned to learning it from Hollywood.


AA

Aye, Hollywood has a lot to answer for in that department!

It's not just Hollywood but other film industries too where a few real characters and events get woven in with a lot of fiction. I think the disclaimers should be bigger and more visible than they are.