Saturday, May 27, 2006

Barry Lyndon skirmish scene

I've been waiting for a clip from this Kubrick classic and finally it comes and not only that but it's the best bit - the Seven Years War skirmish. This whole scene is superb, the music in particular - the sound of the rope tensioned field drums and of course fifes - these drums were made by Potters the famous drum makers and turn up in the Stand and Deliver video.
In reality the British troops of the time would probably not attack with levelled bayonets as this though - if an attack was to be carried at the point of bayonet then the muskets would be held upright and ranks and files would be closer together. There are technical things wrong with it that I could go on all day about but it's still about the best version of an eighteenth century scrap you'll see.
This was the movie that got me interested in 18thc military history. It probably won't have the same impact on you but nevertheless it is an excellent clip. If you haven't seen the movie then you should - it's a very beautiful film though it has a steady pace. The soundtrack is excellent with traditional Irish music from the Chieftains and period music from the likes of Handel and Schubert (ok Schuberts a little out of period but fits in well)- also worth tracking down.

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