French & Indian War

Its very refreshing to find both figures and source material on natives are taken as seriously as the European combatants. So often I've seen 'shoot-'em-up' scenarios in the past where little time has been spent researching or even getting the right look to the natives while all the attention to detail is lavished on the European units down to the buttons. I think if you are going to wargame a period then both sides deserve equal attention. In my own area of interest - South Asia, very much the same thing happens. There is so much regional variation in dress but so few figures available to use that most battles inevitably use the same old figures in different guises. I think it devalues the 'opponent' not to invest time and effort in getting them right. Older hands might even suggest that they won't play as well! Research can give new insights into ways of playing potentially more interesting scenarios, particularly if there is a difference in fighting styles between cultures. Objectives etc. can be quite different. For example, if a raiding party attack a small column, the Europeans will huddle together, while the raiders will not act as a cohesive unit but will skirmish and attempt to single out opponents, cut them out and gain credit/points for each European killed with the least casualties. In effect two wargaming mechanisms operating on the same table. It might even be worth experimenting with those rule sets/systems which are transitionary between skirmish and army level...regardless of period, and see if their mechanisms have the right feel, for example The Lord of the Rings rules, or Contemptable Little Armies??? Good point well made. As I progress with the Sudan I'm pleased to write that I'm enjoying researching and painting both sides and will, I expect, add some Egyptians in their white summer uniform at some point.

sukhe_bator - that's very much how I see it, de-valuing opponents other than Europeans untimately devalues the whole thing. Why bother if you're not going to do justice to all involved. Big Dave - that's right, born in Cottingham, raised in Hull and the East Riding. Not really part of the local wargaming fraternity, i.e., not a member of a club. I noticed your Hull banners! :mental: You should come along to the club, born in Scarborough, educated in Hull, what a life!

"You should come along to the club," I'll do that some time - send me the details when you can :hi:

Interesting looking figures, when are the next batch due ? Will you be doing any civilian types ? We haven't actually seen Last of the Mohicans yet (in any version) but watched Drums Along the Mohawk recently. Old and slightly corny, but has a potential skirmish scenario. Couldn't see anything for postage rates on the site - is it just my eyesight ?

Canadian militia should be out in the next few weeks. Civilian's will appear, but we didn't want to start out with them. Drums along the Mohawk is a bit of a corny tub thumper, but a real classic all the same, attacks on settlements are great for scenarios both sides. The story of the Last of the Mohicans was of course written from the perspective of a C19th American, so there are some historically questionable political statements etc, reflecting an early C19th (post revolutionary) rather than a mid C18th viewpoint, but other than that, it's a great film and full of period atmosphere. The attack on the column is somewhat exaggerated in its extent and effect (dramatic licence in both book and film), it was actually the wounded and the Provincials at the rear of the column who were turned on by the Indians before the noble Montcalm was able to restore order. Buy the Director's cut now, you'll love it. Go to the Amazon.com site. Postage is 75p per pack UK, a handling charge is added for overseas, this is added at checkout, but good point, perhaps it would remove any uncertainty if we were to show postage rates somewhere. The clip I mentioned earlier comes from this DVD, which I'm about to order: http://www.cbcshop.ca/CBC/shopping/product.aspx?Product_ID=ETCPH00011&Variant_ID=CPH2133&lang=en-CA

my interest in FIW/AWI was first sparked as a kid by a BBC serialisation of Last of the Mohicans - must have been early - mid 70s in that Sunday teatime drama slot. My memory of it was that it was all very dark and moody and at times scarey. However i'm sure it was nothing of the sort and heavily featured cardboard sets and english actors in dodgy make up playing the indians.

Phillip Madoc as Magua? :hmm:

That's right :) I saw it as a teenager, keep thinking I ought to get that too now its on DVD on Amazon etc: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066678/

I remember it as very dark i watched it on sunday tea times if im remembering correct,i do know i read the book due to watching this :)

Don't waste your money, I purchased the DVD some time ago, it is rubbish!!!! John

My favorite remains the classic 'Drums along the Mohawk'. Thank the gods the schmucks running Horriblewood haven't remade it!

Yup a real classic, but then John Ford always will feature among my favourite directors (usually in the top 1). John Carradine, as ever, is superb. AWI rather than FIW, but there's still that frontier feel about it. I remember noticing the review on amazon rates it as still being the best film ever about the American revolution. I'll also always enjoy North West Passage with Spencer Tracy, even though they didn't seem to have much idea about the appearance of FIW rangers in 1940. www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

OK, if you want specific I can do Roger's Rangers as well. In all honesty I had gotten confused about the period of the former, sucks to get old...

I've collected a few F&IW based DVD's and videos over the years. A couple of other movies which are in based around the F&IW period are 'Unconquered' with Gary Cooper and Paulette Goddard (Pontiac's Rebellion) and 'Allegheny Uprising' starring John Wayne. I also have a couple of documentaries on the F&IW or different parts of it. One which focuses on the war as a whole is 'The War that made America' narrated by Graham Greene from 'Dances With Wolves'. http://www.amazon.com/War-That-Made-America-French/dp/B000E1MXZ0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1241260367&sr=8-2 The other documentary is titled 'George Washington's First War'. It's focus is on the early career of George Washington, especially the battles for Fort Duquesne and is the sequal to another documentary by the same production company titled 'When the Forest Ran Red' which focuses on Braddocks defeat. I really enjoyed it and recently ordered 'When the Forest Ran Red' which is yet to arrive. George Washington's First War http://www.amazon.com/George-Washingtons-First-War-Duquesne/dp/0971168520/ref=pd_sim_d_1 When the Forest Ran Red: http://www.amazon.com/When-Forest-Ran-Red-Ultimate/dp/B00022Z06K/ref=tag_stp_st_edpp_url All these I bought from the US. Sorry to waffle on... PS: Very nice figures by the way Galloping Major and I likewise enjoy North West Passage. I notice that the TV series is now availabe on DVD.

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