Monochrome Set 'Jacob's Ladder'

One of the greats of the post punk era - this was about as close they came to chart success - brilliant band

The Monks on You Tube

The Monks are/were one of the greatest bands ever! You don't have to take my word for it as there is now this great site www.youtube.com that has clips of all manner of things and three (oh heavenly) songs by the Monks. The Monks were all ex US servicemen who stayed on in Germany to become beat stars - playing a loud, bass heavy trance-like sound that predated bands like the Fall by God knows how many years. Search this site for other Monks tracks and all sorts of treasures.

Post Punk Raincoat?

US Army Trenchcoat the ultimate post-punk clothing item
If you want an iconic item of clothing that to me shouts post punk then it has to be the ag-274 US army raincoat. They were a must-have item for us fans of the Ants and Joy Division - both Adam and Ian Curtis (below) wore them and of course I had one too... the above link is to one on ebay - they are to be found there reasonably regularly but they are getting scarcer to find these days. Here's a pic of Adam Ant wearing one.
This link shows them in their full colour glory - a light olive colour. Ideal for putting badges on...

Bill Farmer - Figure sculptor

I have often on these pages, mentioned 1/72 plastic figures. This is an interest that goes back to my childhood when Airfix had the monopoly and metal wargames figures were virtually unknown. Nowadays there is a tremendous diversity of periods and subjects available but a lot of the background work is a mystery to many of us. This site by Bill Farmer shows behind the scenes and details the work that goes into producing these tiny figures. Well worth a long look - this site is a mine of information for those of us still in touch with our inner child...

Adam and the Ants 'Digital Tenderness' DVD

Coming in early March - so that's pretty soon - is this release from Sony bringing together what looks like a stunning array of videos and live footage - I must admit I will probably buy it if only for the early clips. If you can't wait there's an interesting clip of Adam doing his latter single 'Room at the Top' on German TV. This track has a guitar riff by Marco (not present on this footage) nicked from Laibach's 'One after 9o9' ... an exact copy- busted!!
This track contains the lyric
Made in england born and bred
An eighteenth century brain
In a twenty first century head

You can see - Adam's 18thc vision depicted here in his Stand and Deliver video.

Morrissey 'You Have Killed Me' single

Yesterday saw the premiere on channel 4 of the new Mozzer 45 - an Italian influenced ditty full of references to Pasolini and Visconti - two great directors of Italian cinema in the 60s and 70s.

Panzer Front ausf. b - tank gaming heaven?

Another game where you get to see what the Italian tank drivers in the desert had to put up with is this one - recently out for the PS2.
Looks good from the review. This game seems to be set in North Africa with battles that can be fought from either side. The official site here has graphics to give you an idea what it's like - but this UK site looks more useful - and is where I got this image from.

View Askew - Clerks II teaser trailer

This world is mainly created by Kevin Smith and its comic-orientated characters have gone on to be more than the cult figures of these semi-related movies with an ensemble cast that mostly famously included Jay and Silent Bob, Ben Affleck and Jason Scott Lee. Check out the site to see how many of the movies you have seen.
If you're wondering what the song is on the new Ben Affleck/Click fragrance (ad linked above) - it's Johnny Guitar Watson's Gangster of Love.
With the success of Jason Scott Lee in My Name is Earl maybe it's time that classics like Mallrats get revisited. Anyway you'll get an insight into the wonderful world of Kevin Smith and his various movie flops at this site

Thw Wicker Man

The competition between newspapers to give away reasonable dvds has given us some surprises for free movies - Dune, Donnie Darko and now this one is to be given away with Saturday's Guardian. Here's a link to a site that explains the different versions. It is really the soundtrack (search this page for an amazing exclusive instrumental of Willow's song) that I enjoy - this also comes in two versions, one dubbed from the movie and the other the proper studio masters. Here's an interesting fansite and another listing to keep up to date with fans worldwide.
I notice that a few sites of Iron Age interest like Butser and St Fagans do 'Wicker Man' burnings based on Caesar's description. Here's some background information from the reliable WIkipedia
So get your Guardian this Saturday!
Its not all good news though as it seems that Nicholas Cage is working on a Hollywood remake - damn!

War That Made America - 2nd trailer

This series looks great - can't wait for it to come out on dvd. In case you don't know this is about the Seven Years War in America, sometimes known as the French and Indian war. This is a period that appeals to the romantic in us all having all the components of classic adventure
If you are in the UK - check out the New France and Old England website to find out about how its done over here

Stug footage

Some impressive film of the German Stug and the Panzerfaust here

Radstock in pictures

'Joyeux Noel' Great War movie opens in the US

Italian Tanks - the M13/40 in particular

I don't know why but I find the less-than brilliant tanks of ww2 more interesting than the more famous successful machines. Most of the tanks I like were pretty obsolete by the time war got going properly. The above website is an interesting history of the Italian tank corps.


I have recently become interested in the Italians after playing Call of Duty 2 online - where you get to drive a M13/40 and fight as Italians in a few battles. Sites worth looking at include this one about Italian tanks in North Africa and this one about the M13/40 and 41 and this one about tanks in Italian service. Here is a review of the Tamiya 1/35 scale model and a review of the Zvezda version. Here is a review of the Esci 1/72 model which is being rereleased by Italeri in November 2006. The above image is of an Italian tank helmet which went on ebay for 36 pounds. Bargain...wish I'd bidded now

Funeral of 100th British soldier killed in Iraq

The normally quiet town of Radstock where we live was even quieter to the point of eeriness as the funeral of Corporal Pritchard took place this afternoon. Businesses closed and the traffic was held back at the edges of the town as a mark of respect - the streets were empty apart from police. A sad occasion for the town.

Cowpens reenactment photos 2006

some great photos from this january's reenactment of the battle of Cowpens.

The American revolution must be one of the most picturesque of all the 18th century wars.
Even the atrocious movie The Patriot looked good... I was once in a room where it was on the tv with the sound down - it is quite a pleasant experience compared to following the plot. Visually quite impressive frame by frame but otherwise a terrible movie, loosely based on the character the Swamp Fox, who was the subject of a Disney tv series back in the old days apparently but Gibson alledgedly objected to some of old Swampy's attitudes so fictionalised the whole thing - this is why the Tarleton character is called Tavington or something - what an industry?

The Last Legion

More stuff on this forthcoming Roman movie starring Colin Firth. IMDB details here
It seems that moviemakers are still flocking back to Rome - this century has seen a veritable Roman revival thanks to the success of Gladiator. I first heard of Gladiator when they were casting the extras - some of my reenactment chums were in it but I turned it down - my initial reaction was 'who was Russel Crowe? The only person I'd heard of in it was Oliver Reed so I thought it was some low budget romp! I actually don't like the movie - I think the best Roman movie has to be Spartacus - Kubrick's slave army is fantastic - they look like shepherds and so on.
Novel here
Wikipedia article on Roman novels is linked here

Polysics videos

Japan's Polysics are one of the most exciting bands around in my humble opinion. They really seem to be pushing the boundaries about whilst still being really energetic - check out the videos - in particular the mesmeric Kaja kaja Guu! which you must see, or Coelacanth is Android...magic - first seen by me on the brilliant show Adam and Joe Go Tokyo

I hate Tescos

Shepton Mallet is the latest town about to be blighted by the arrival of that great Satan among retailers - Tesco - and is fighting back - but we all know the outcome don't we? Check out the above site and realise that it's ok to hate Tescos - in fact buying product from them is something so wrong it is tantamount to snogging Hitler.

Al Jolson

Possibly the 20th century's first pop star

First person shooting online

We got ourselves an ethernet modem, costing about 15 quid - so now we can play Playstation 2 games online. First up is to try all the FPS (see above link for a definition) games we have - Timesplitters 3, which I found annoying and too fast and furious, Tom Clancey's Ghost Recon (complete with headset to talk to other players) which I found too technical and too much like hard work, Medal of Honor Rising Sun which was good but slightly annoying, and the best so far, Call of Duty 2 with its expansive maps and cool graphics. Of course I keep getting stuffed as I am not the sort of hardcore gamer that obviously the other players from around the world are so if you are inept - get in touch and we'll fight each other, ineptly. To see a little movie that seems to sum up the genre click here to see FPS Doug - Boom! Headshot!!
It's quite a unique exeperience especially with the headset working - you hear all sorts of ambient chitchat from around the world - talking about the action in this small world... I was getting French and the sound of a babycrying - but after a while your nerves become quite frazzled... the sort of jitters you might get after driving - sometimes this is eased by the 'huh huh huh' coming through the headset. Sometimes you hear your name being called - thats surreal but explained by the fact that your i.d. appears above your figure and readable to other players. Apparently its very newbish to snipe people and also to go around firing loads of rockets everywhere. I am getting better but it is confusing remembering which side you are on, but on the whole a pleasant believable experience. It's quite a heart stopping moment if you suddenly find yourself in a room full of bad guys but not enough for real sweat to break out.
No doubt I'll get bored soon once Ive played all the different scenarios, and the sun will come out and the real world will beckon once again.

Isabelle Huppert

Isabelle Huppert is probably my favourite of all the great actresses French cinema has produced. She first came to my attention with the Lacemaker and is known to Hollywood as the woman in Heaven's gate. This site is almost as elegant as Isabelle herself. I also enjoyed her Violette Noziere which was directed by the French Hitchcock Claude Chabrol. I last saw her in the excellent I Heart Huckabees
So if you are going to be alone this Valentines - rent a decent Isabelle Huppert movie and succumb to the enigmatic French siren. Madame Bovary is a role that shows her at her best.

Brainiac - History abuse

This is a programme on Sky Travel that is a kind of lads history - my daughter loves it and insists I watch it. It shows the gruesome and sometimes explosive side of things like weapons and inventions. A kind of history show for those people who don't like history. Well worth a watch if you think History shows are all boring... highlights include regular contributions by 'Ernest Clough History Buff'
More here

Alien Big Cats in Somerset

This week's local paper the Somerset Guardian has another pair of black cat sightings in my area - this phenomena has been increasing in the south west for a number of years and is quite a mystery - most descriptions are of a large black cat about the size of a dog with orange eyes and a long tail, with a cat-like gait. A booklet has been published Some early reports here A Fortean Times article here
News from the British Big Cats Society here Big Cat Study Group Here
A number of theories abound as to what is going on - has the island always supported an elusive population? - has someone been systematically introducing them? It certainly is a mystery.
Since writing this my next door neighbour reports that he has seen one (ABC) while walking the dog at about 10 pm. I hope it won't be long before I see one - maybe I'll take my digital camera out dogwalking...

V for Vendetta

Trailer for this interesting looking movie set in a fascist Britain of the future based on the Alan Moore graphic novel - learn about the original comic here

The Grizzly Man

Trailer here
This documentary by Werner Herzog is amazing - it tells the story through interviews and camcorder footage of Timothy Treadwell who was killed and eaten by bears in Alaska. It is occasionally very funny but mostly the theme is quite dark as the main character comes across as having a death wish. Like some MTV Steve Irwin he exudes mania in every scene - well worth watching - review here

Plimouth Plantation, Jamestown etc

If you're inspired to find out more about early America from watching the movie 'New World' here are a few links - Plimouth Plantation, Pocahontas - Jamestown
Jamestown is celebrating its 400th anniversary here and here

Dr William Price

Here's a great Victorian eccentric who championed many offbeat themes for the time and lived a full and colourful life. Biography here and above.

Conrad Veidt

'Girls fight - for Conrad Veidt' or something similar was the publicists tagline... he will always be remembered for his role as Cesare the Sleepwalker in the Cabinet of Dr Caligari the classic early horror. Check out the above webpage to learn more about this remarkable actor

Dr Ross

The relatively obscure bluesman Dr Ross has been on my turntable recently. This one man band who lived in Flint Michigan was a great exponent of the rural boogie, welding harp and guitar together in a familiar but unique way, playing them upside down as he was left handed. He served in the Phillipines and elsewhere and recorded blues relating to his military experiences. This album is worth checking out, as is this discography
Another great one man band of the era is Joe Hill Louis another artist I love to bits...

Serge Gainsbourg

Serge Gainsbourg is to me the epitome of 'Frenchness' in the 60s and 70s. I love his 'Bonnie and Clyde' with Brigitte Bardot and his 'Requeim pour un con' is one of my choices for playing at my funeral.

Casanova movie - Valentine's day cinema?

This is opening in the UK for Valentine's Day screenings which might seem a little odd - how many people would associate a story about a serial philanderer as ideal date material? But anyway they have got Australian Heath Ledger to play the famous Venetian so you can see where this film is aimed. It looks good enough from the trailer for the job in hand and might be worth a look - a review here. Fellini's Casanova must be the defintive version for me though with Donald Sutherland looking very much the part.

100th British soldier killed

This tragic landmark occasion is particularly poignant for me as the dead soldier was from my own village, Radstock. Has anyone other than Blair been in favour of this conflict?

Bonnie and Clyde's Hideout

After watching the superior tv movie Bonnie and Clyde; the True Story I was moved to check out this site to check out some of the actual photos and read some more. A great story and one that is somehow one of the great romantic tales of the modern age, the tv movie is believable with a bewitching Bonnie Parker.

Russian revolutionary songs

From the same source as below some amusing ditties here like 'Advice to Revolting Workers'...

Latvian movie pic

This was found on the Russian Civil War Yahoo group - it shows Freikorps in the Baltic presumably in the 1920s

Mallick's New World - 'Aguirre Wrath of God' Rip Off !!

I've been looking forward to his movie for a while now - the idea of retelling the story of John Smith and the first colonists in a serious movie was something I wanted to see - so was it any good? Well yes I thought so - despite it being a bit like a fake European movie of the 1970s and being pretty unfathomable at times it was a good experience watching it. There was a lot of long quiet bits inside action sequences, jumpcuts and the usual tricks of arty cinema. It still is enjoyable though despite the fact that the story is basic to the extreme.
The natives are well choreographed and looked the part - the love scenes tender and set to a Schubert-like score of piano. The soldiers looked like they were styled on Aguirre Wrath of God's Conquistadors (steel flecked with blood and mud).
Historically it was pretty accurate from what I saw and what I know though I think there was a little too much armour in the ranks of the colonists. I can't imagine crossbows or bucklers being used then which were depicted in the film though all the armour was at least in period. A fight is depicted when Farrell is wearing a cuirassier bascinet, something that while technically possible in the period but looked wrong and too medieval ( being only worn by heavy cavalry - sort of like someone running around in the jungles of Vietnam in a helicopter pilots outfit). So I think that Mallick was probably trying to emulate the look of Conquistadors with the look of the settlers. Visually it borrow a lot from Werner Herzog's movie (see pic) showing the decay and infighting of the intruders in a brooding malevolent way.
Linguistically the film is interesting - lots of unsubtitled Native language and the settlers were all mumbling away in Mummerset enough to make you wish they were subtitled too. Farrell seems to drop his Irish accent in favour of a Casualty Bristolish accent only to return to his Native Ireland before the end of the sentence. A lot of the dialogue has the feel of theatrical rehearsals rather than actual acting - the verite style of Mallick looks as if he filmed the improvisation rather than the finished version. Most of this babble is obviously intended to be irrelevant as obviously only the odd words uttered by Farrell were supposed to have any significance. I felt sorry for the girl acting the P-Princess - she was acting and dancing her socks off in a lot of scenes while the Irish Brad Pitt simply sneered or curled his lip.
Pocahontas - not that they ever use the P word during the film - is pretty striking - I think she must be a ballet dancer - she moves very gracefully and looks the part. The character actors in the background are good but Farrell - who has to be 'playing' the only man in the 17th century with a pony tail - is boring and his 'rebel colonist' persona unbelievable.
Enjoyable movie - worth a trip to the cinema, but watch Aguirre Wrath of God first
(picture left is of Klaus Kinski in this German movie set duiring the Conquest of Peru)
New World movie site

Farfield

Geoff Norcott (our Animals and men drummer) now lives in Torquay and drums with this band. Give them a listen - sounded a bit like the Wedding Present when I first heard them.

Arms Drill 1730

These images from a drill book of 1730 are staggering! Brought to my attention by Peter the Great period reenactor Boris these individual plates show everything from top to bottom in the handling of the weapons, pike and musket, of the era. The pike was obsolete in Western Europe but was still used ceremonially and it is all the better for its inclusion. The origins are unknown to me but it is a rare document indeed showing the dress and acoutrements in good detail.
Here to see photos of the Great Northern War being filmed

People getting pwn3d!

This set of fast video clips showing disastrous mishaps was shown me by my eldest daughter. It's a fascinating and sometimes horrfying array of disasters that hit you in quick succession so you hardly know what you've seen but some of them haunt you for hours afterwards

Kubelwagen

I was half-watching the fairly awful movie 'Hanover Street' the one where Harrison Ford gets to reprise his role as Han Solo, this time as a bomber pilot in 1943. Anyway, there was, as in all world war two movies, a Kubelwagen in it, and I wondered about them - this site looks the best place to start...reenactment photos of other German vehicles there too. In case you're wondering, a 45 model is up for sale for 12 grand.

Bronco models 1/16th scale CV-33

Box art for a couple of variants (Chinese army) of this Hong Kong based company's forthcoming release.

Ethiopians versus the Cv-33

This tale is from the website 'Tanks' http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/
The Ethiopian campaign demonstrated a severe handicap due to the machine guns' narrow traverse capability. In one event, Ethiopian soldiers (who had no tanks are were basically a medieval army with muzzle loading cannon) actually attacked a troop of CV33's. After the initial fear and worry had worn off, and getting a bit hot under the collar because their beloved leader had fallen, they formed a plan. Noting the limited traverse of the MG's, they simply attacked from the side! In the narrow area in which this occured, the poor CV33 tankers simply could not turn around. After a liberal stabbing of port slits with sabers and knives, the angry soldiers then poured gasoline on the tanks and set them afire. To add insult to injury, the Ethiopians then flipped the tanks over - barehanded. Only one crew survived to surrender out of 13 tanks in this encounter - and that was by shouting Christo - Christo! Seems that the Ethiopians did not understand that hands up meant surrender... to them, the Italians simply made better targets of themselves!

Photojournalism in the Spanish Civil war

this was the first was where correspondents were in the action shooting the bomb damage and getting it into print where it could influence the public. On the subject of influencing the public this exhibition of posters looks interesting

Italian CV-33 tankette

This four foot high 'tankettes' saw action in the SCW and WW2. One turned up recently in Iraq at a Republican Guard base at Tikrit - pic here
A 1/72 model by DOC is reviewed here and the BUM one here
Nationalist tank page here

Battle of Guadalajara

Last major victory for the Republicans.
Also linked to a well done site La Cucuracha, which has a diary and features on songs

Imperial Japanese Army Page

This is a pleasant site with lots of photos of the various light tanks and odd weapons used by the Japanese army in the 30s and 40s.

Spanish Civil War Remembered

Interviewing a large percentage of veterans from Britain

For whom the Bells Toll rework

From Variety
Leonardo DiCaprio is in talks to star in "For Whom the Bell Tolls'' at Warner Bros. "`Troy'' writer David Benioff is scripting the adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novel. DiCaprio - is said to be keenly interested in playing Robert Jordan, the young American teacher who joins an antifascist guerrilla unit in the mountains of Spain. DiCaprio won't commit to the project without a director, however, and none is attached.

La Columna -- UK's Spanish Civil War living history

It's always pleasant to see the obscure periods of history being recreated and especially good if its being done well. La Columna have been going for some while and have an interesting website with lots of useful links as a testiment to their research and enjoyment of the period

Vehicles of the SCW

Spanish language site - lots of pictures though. Spend some time here as it is rewarding...some brilliant photos. Helmets pictured here

Spanish civil war photo essay

BUM 1/72 models for the SCW

If you are thinking of modelling the SCW then you might consider these curious Spanish-made models of some of the more notable vehicles used. One (the Italian tankette CTV) comes free with a cd of Italian marching songs! All of the sets are limited to a 1000 run and turn up on ebay occasionally.

Soviet tank operations in the Spanish Civil War

This is a useful article that covers the deployment of T-26s in Spain.

Spanish Civil War Living History

You can tell by their graphics (left) that this Spanish group Ay Carmela are going to be good. Browse their excellent website and see the photos...and the articles in English to enjoy the enthusiasm on display. Well done.

Jarhead reviews

Sam Mendes' Gulf War film based on the book by Anthony Swofford. This is a movie that sets out to be the Apocalypse Now of the Gulf War and to a degree succeeds, though its brutality and tedium does actually make uncomfortable viewing. Apparently this movie did not benefit from support from the US military and did not get the free hardware offered to such films as Black Hawk Down and therefore is a warts'n'all depiction of the inaction of the USMC in the desert. Worth a look if you like this sort of thing. IMDB facts here

The War That Made America tv showing Jan 18

this is showing soon in the US - its a history of the French and Indian War to mark its 250th anniversary - looks well done from the trailers here http://www.thewarthatmadeamerica.com/promos.html well worth a look
http://www.thewarthatmadeamerica.com/emails/jan06a/index.html
Ralph

Lew Lewis 'Save The Wail'

I was wondering this evening - like you do - what happened to Lew Lewis? - he made some great modern rockin' blues tracks with Canvey bands the Hot Rods and the Feelgoods in the mid 70s - at his heyday he had an album on Stiff I think and even had his own promotional harmonica to give out at gigs. When I was an r'n'b singer harpist in the Bad Detectives we used to do a cover of the Hot Rods ''Horseplay' which was a firm favourite among our 'fans' as well as other Lewis 'hits'.
Anyway he's alive and sort of well as the above link shows - if you haven't heard 'Caravan Man' 'Out for a Lark' or 'Boogie on the Streets' then try and track them down. Come back Lew - we need a harp maestro like you so the younger kids can learn how its done!

The Lowlands of Holland

This song I first heard on the debut album by British folk legend Martin Carthy. It's a great song and this page does it justice, with lyrics and background.

Cock and Bull Story

This is a new release movie starring Steve Coogan and his protege Rob Bryden. Official website here. It is about the filming of Tristram Shandy, the so-called unfimable book by Laurence Sterne. I'm a Coogan fan and am looking forward to it...

Russian Cavalry memoirs

this selection of excerpts on this excellent site Russian Battlefield tells the story of cavalry in World War Two. Russia used the mounted arm quite a lot - it suited the large expanses of the land and horses were very much still in the Russian way of life

Simon Girty

As its the anniversary of the attack at Dunlap's station (1791) I thought it might be interesting to put a link up to the legendary villain of American history, Simon Girty. A more reasonable biography which explores the myth is here and another here
Some photos of a living history based on Girty here

Samurai

Now I am not a big fan of the Samurai - it could be all the difficult to pronounce names or maybe its just too difficult to get to grips with but it is a popular subject and one that my kids are quite interested in. BBC4 have just shown a night of Samurai programmes which they have enjoyed so I have put a link up to the above site which looks a good place to start.
Russian plastic figure manufacturer Zvezda have just produced a headquarters set which is reviewed here.
We spotted a well painted 90mm Papo Prestige toy Samurai in a shop in Bath - available here in the US here

Death of legend Link Wray

I'm a bit late with this information - it happened late November. Very sad but what a contribution to music? His classic instrumentals are going to live on forever as the birth of primitivism in rock and roll. We were lucky enough to see Link live at Dingwall's back in the early 80s and Sue got to shake his hand. His set was primarily made up of standards, Elvis tunes etc but he finished off with a rousing medley of his golden age hits.
My claim to fame is that I met Screamin' Jay Hawkins, another lost legend. A very scary man indeed.

Remote controlled tanks

This is another Christmas gift that I thought may be of interest. A 1/24 scale tank that fires bb pellets, has a rotating turret, elevating barrel and fully working tracks. First off I was the recipient of the Russian designed T-90 but that didn't work so it was replaced by a German Leopard A5. This one worked and was very impressive covering obstacles and so on. Now I wish I had another tank to pit it up against, though luckily there is a good amount of modern tanks in that scale - click here for some of the tanks available. If you're thinking of getting one then shop around - the prices seem to fluctuate widely.
1/16 scale seems to be one to go for if you want world war two - there seems to be Tigers and Panthers in this scale, though no doubt more will follow.

Big Bottom Massacre Jan 2 1790

The Big Bottom massacre between Ohio company settlers and Delawares and Wyandots marked the start of four years of frontier warfare in Ohio, which only stopped when General Anthony Wayne and the Indian tribes signed the Treaty of Greenville.
Pictures like the one featured left on the Ohio region's history are at this site Opening the Door West - a tv series about the Ohio Company. 3d Reconstructions here

Where we live

In the spirit of giving I thought I'd show you where we live. The photo I googled but it's actually taken by our next door neighbour. We're about 4th house from the end at the right. They're miners cottages from the now defunct Somerset coalfield.

Age of Reason

Age of Reason movies
Above's a webpage I put together publicising some of the groups that recreate the mid eighteenth century - the Seven Years War mainly - a period I consistently enjoy recreating and studying.
I suppose it was Kubrick's Barry Lyndon (production shot left) that got me started on this period and so far there hasn't been a movie to rival it in scope and depth. Another great 18th century movie is Sternberg's The Scarlet Empress.
I hear there is a movie scheduled on Marie Antionette for 2006 - trailer here - looks interesting...

Call of Duty 2 - the Big Red One

My kids (well not kids anymore but you know what I mean) have long wanted to find a Playstation game that was historically accurate enough for me to want to play on it and I think they found one in this game. A first person shooter (means you see a little rifle in the foreground) that takes you through North Africa, Russia apparently (dont ask how) Normandy and so on, operating various weapons and craft. It's wonderful - yesterday I drove a Stuart tank against Panzers. The scenery is well done and the vehicles and weapons superb.
So... if your kids have a PS2 get a copy of this game - it's really good. I actually prefer letting the offspring play it as they are better at it and I just watch and bore them with background chatter, like why the guys you're fighting are French, and why the Garand isn't worth trading for a Kar 98.

Lobositz 1756 Reenactment

This is looking like a good event...an English speaking organiser too! The above link takes you to a chapter from Carlyle's History

'As many of you already know, the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lobositz, the first battle of the Seven Year War will take place over a celebration weekend from Thursday 28th September to Sunday 1st October 2006.The weekend opens with a large street fair in the town of Lobositz ( today Lovosice in the Czech Republic), Saturday 30th sees an international wargamers festival in the Lovos Culture Centre organised by the Prague Historic Wargamers Association and on Sunday 1st October we will have a Battle Re.enactment on part of the original battlefield site.

In addition there will be local tours around the battlefield on oldtimer buses and also to Litomerice and the Terezin Memorial which are all within 3 miles of the battlefield and Lovosice.The Battle is being organised by the Mayor of Lovosice with the support of the town council and regional authority and those taking part in the battle will receive food and accomodation subject to early application.

If anyone is interested to take part in the events in Lovosice please contact the Event Co.ordinator'

David Griffiths, Zamek Borec, 41002 Lovosice, Czech Republic
email. david.griffiths@bohemiabuses.com

The Rock Star Game

This is an excellent pursuit - choose your band and then off you go - compare your band's progress to others - learn the value of touring and practice. We never did. My band is The Popcorn Dictatorship and I'm at the moment trying to get my first single out.

King Kong... a star is reborn

I am not normally a fan of remakes but this - the current Peter Jackson version - is very good indeed. It expands on the original - takes the original ideas and gives them more depth and more humanity. Coupled with epic action scenes and panoramas that take the breath away this movie though 3 hours in length keeps your interest from the first scene. NYC of the 1930s is so well recreated that it is totally believable but in a way that makes you feel that you are seeing it in a new way. It makes the original seem like a storyboard - a blueprint for this version which without detracting from the original creates the ultimate version.
Jack Black is good as the crazed Denham but of course the star is the gorilla who has been given more personality and made more believable - there are hints at the fact that he is the last in the line of huge apes and his subsequent loneliness are thrown in and there is a delightful bum-skating scene with King and Ann that is reminiscent of Bambi.
So... give your eyes a treat and your buttocks some torture...go ape for King Kong

JCB Song

This quirky folk song about childhood days is an unexpected breath of non commercial music in this season of over produced slosh, from a duo, Nizlopi. Apparently a contender for the Christmas Number one slot. The video is a delight - watch it at the above link. If you're an American reading this you might not know JCB is a make of earth mover...maybe they're an international company...?

Merian C Cooper - King Kong producer

The man who dreamed of a giant gorilla attacking New York would make a fascinating subject for a biopic himself. An airman in the war between Red Russia and Poland he and co poducer Shoedseck are in the close up shots of airmen in the original movie . There's a book on Amazon that looks in interesting

King Kong Reviews

It seems that this movie is getting the thumbs up - I might even got to see it myself - the period feel to the trailers have sold it for me - the stunning backdrop of 1930s America looks great

Merry Christmas - the Movie

This movie, which is about to hit the arthouse cinemas in the UK about now, is partly about the Christmas truce of 1914. Presumably this is a movie that could have benefited from the success of A Very Long Engagement.
Synopsis here
If you read this blog a while back you might have seen some links about this obviously important event that has inspired people ever since.

Official website
www.merrychristmas-themovie.com

meeting with Howling Wolf

Good site dedicated to the most powerful of all the Chicago bluesmen Howling Wolf.

Conquest Miniatures' Native Greens

It's always interesting to see figures in their early stage - Conquest are an American company making quite a name for themselves with their 500 nation range. New up are the Sac and Foxes

New World movie reviews

This eagerly awaited tale by Badlands and Thin Red Line director Mallick is based in Jamestown 1607 and features Colin Farrell as John Smith. This 'arthouse movie with a Hollywood budget' is apparently out in the US on the 25th (January 13 in most cities). Mixed reviews are gathered at the above link. I'm enthusiastic about this film despite what some of the critics say - historical pictures that aren't about Rome are as rare as hen's teeth these days and this promises to be a visual feast if nothing else. Check out the official site that has a 360 degree tour of the Powhatan village and some very atmospheric stills

Trafalgar clips

There was a news item today about the oldest-serving sailor from HMS Victory so here's a few clips of the celebrations this summer

Space Cadets hoaxes public

According to the blurb this reality tv is hoaxing a group of wannabees that they are in Russia and going into space - a big joke - but it seems that the hoax is going to be on the British public as it turns out that the so-called participants are all in fact actors. Shame on Channel 4....

Austerlitz 2005 photos

Lots of really good wintry images at the link above of the French and Allied troops at this event which seems to have been a great success. It's great to see the greatcoats and the winter kit of the period. Much more spectacular than the full parade dress methinks

Pygmy wars

this is a comprehensive site based on the wars of eastern Europe in the post Russian Revolution period. Excellent

harmonicas

this place is my father-in-law gets his harmonicas... they certainly have a dazzling array - gone are the days when it was Hohner or nothing...

Sudden Strike 2

Been busy (ha!) over the last couple of days getting to grips with Sudden Strike 2 and Sudden Strike Resource War - Real time strategy set in World war2. Command either Brit, US, USSR Japanese or German tanks and infantry, their support vehicles even aircraft in realistic battles - well so the aim is. I like them. There are some drawbacks - see the review - but it is a fun and reasonably well rendered world that looks like the war. Some of you might get a copy so I can try out the online capabilities.

Austerlitz photos and video clips

MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
Thanks to Eric from Holland here are some more images of this epic Napoleonic battle. This dedicated reenactor drove 2700 km - 15 hours to fire ten rounds... but despite the cold and the usual difficulties found it worth it to be on the field with 4,000 reenactors.
'It does look great, but very hard work. People having sliding and falling down all over the place. Also having to climb a small hill was very difficult to get up. Took a while before everyone was on top. Very tiring it was. Also very cold, sometimes the leatherstraps of my gaiters froze to the ground if we didn't move too long.
A lot of British we joining French regiments. Our 3eme had some of the 71st HLI members in it.
The Napoleon actor really looked the part, but didn't really have time to watch him on the battlefield. Besides the battle I never saw him again.
I think the next one will be Jena, also likely to be very cold.' Eric Timmerije

Info on the American who played Napoleon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4495616.stm excellent photos
http://www.czech-tv.cz/vysilani/prog8314.html - news coverage
http://www.nos.nl/nosjournaal/artikelen/2005/12/3/index.html - photos
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4496358.stm - news video
http://channels.netscape.com/weather/photosearch.jsp?cap=austerlitz&id=1

Austerlitz December 3rd 1805 - video of reenactment

Click on the above text for some sensational footage - in snow - thoroughly convincing!
The Battle of the three emperors - French, Russian and Austrian was fought 200 years ago this weekend and a reenactment took place - hopefully it won't be long before we have some photos to look at. If you have a good connection go here to see some videos from a local tv network. Missed the opportunity to watch it live but there's some consolation to seeing some clips. Project Austerlitz

The Cramps New LP of rarities

The Cramps have consistently been probably the greatest rock and roll band in the universe since their inception in the mid 70s. Starting in Ohio before relocating first to NYC and then to their beloved Hollywood, Lux, Ivy and an array of cool and oddly named costars have been the most explosive live act gracing the stage despite the advancing age of the main band. This cd looks like an ideal introduction into the sleazy world of B-movies, horror, burlesque, scifi and anything trashy in American culture that they bring into their infectious rockabilly.

(See them live here doing Cramp Stomp) featuring one of music's most enduring and creative partnership - Lux (vocals) and Ivy (guitar) - long may they reign as King and Queen of rock and roll - German fansite here -

Peepshow

the blurb from Channel 4's website. It is quite an unconventional sit-com as it gets to show the protagonists inner thoughts about intimate subjects

Meet Mark and Jeremy. Mark's the sensible one, a professional brogue-wearer with a slightly disconcerting interest in World War Two. Jeremy is the loose cannon, a lazy waster with dodgy friends who dreams of becoming a musician but can never get his act together (or up in the morning). As ever, their deepest, darkest thoughts and feelings are revealed as they try in vain to find their place in the modern world and to find love and fulfilment. After two years, Mark finally gets together with his beloved Sophie but is distraught when she's relocated to Bristol. He tries everything to maintain their relationship, from mild stalking to a botched session of phone sex. Meanwhile, Jeremy tries to get over his disastrous marriage to American beauty Nancy by embarking on a series totally misjudged relationships. Along the way he falls for a troublesome defendant while he's on jury duty, and - horror of horrors - Mark's younger sister.

Also in this series, Mark and Jeremy are forced to deal with intimidating plumbers, insane friends, and must face up to scary teenage muggers and disappointing threesomes.

Sudden Strike; Resource War

If you were wondering what the game being played at the start of Channel 4's excellent comedy Peepshow by the nerdy Mark it looked like Sudden Strike - so I got myself a copy and will give it a review. It is a resource building based game like Cossacks and American Conquest which I have enjoyed so here goes nothing

site meter added

Now I have taken the plunge and put a site meter up. Now I will see for real how few people read this. So in order not to embarass me tell your friends so the site meter can get into reasonable figures... or hit Refresh a few times!

New Osprey of Note

Back of Beyond Times

An excellent site offering a fresh look at what can be done with miniatures that are painted well. This bit features Copplestone Castings eastern figures.
If you like fantasy and want to see more have a look here

Bath's Blitz Project

lots of memories and so on of Bath (Somerset's) wartime experience. Check out the before and after photographs - amazing sayeth one family member while looking over my shoulder. Bristol is dealt with here

Sturgeon

information on this beautiful prehistoric fish

Diorama Dreamland

this is a nice site of dioramas of 1/72 figures. Links to the NIKOLAI range of woodland indians in that scale

WW2 Fighter sims

Ive been looking around for flight sims as one of the neighbours was asking about them and what with watching a load of airfield movies - this one looks good though maybe a little out of date... this one IL2 - Sturmovik set on the Eastern Front looks good and has good recommendations. Some videos here. Also has Pacific variant

Leslie Howard

Hollywood had a real life hero in this charming man - who took up acting after suffering shellshock in World War One. Costarred in Gone with the Wind. The epitome of the English gentleman. He returned to the UK to help the war effort making morale raising movies such as First of the Few.
Information about the death of this great film actor and filmmaker here a good biography here

Saga of Billy Fiske

Been trying to find out more about this movie The Few based on American volunteers in the Battle of Britain. This movie is already controversial - see above - what about the author of the book, yet to be published Alex Kershaw. He's written a book on the Battle of the Bulge - there's a segment here. He appears to be a very commercially-oriented writer.

the West country in archive film footage

this is a useful collection of films from the prewar and later period in the West Country. Enjoy the reminiscences tooo of an age now longer with us (I wish)... The Compton Martin film is good - reminds me of one of our lame jokes - 'straight outta Compton - Compton Dando'