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[Galloglaich]

Originally Posted by Choranzanus

On the topic of Zizka: that was really an interesting guy. He became a brigand after a powerful noble family of Rosenbergs in southern Bohemia killed his wife and impoverished him, but somehow he later obtained a pardon from king and even became a bodyguard of queen. He had a large sword wound over his face from an age of ten, so his face was entirely deformed and he was very ugly. Most of the statues show Zizka carrying a mace, but it is more a symbol of rank than a favourite weapon. Earliest depictions of him show him carrying a warhammer (thought warhammer is often considered a kind of mace, same difference).

Wow that is really interesting choranzanus, I didn't know that part of his personal history. Somebody really needs to do a modern movie of his life, he is such an incredible guy, (I know there was some done in Czechoslakia in the 70's.? but more people need to see this)

I've been watching a lot of Czech and Polish films lately, particularly the series based on Henryk Sienkiewicz, the films Ogniem i mieczem and Potop (these names translate to "The Deluge" and "With Fire and Sword"). These are the only modern films I've seen which portray European Martial arts as realistically as Kirosawa does Japanese Martial arts. The saber duel in the Deluge is one of the all time classics of film, as good as the best swashbuckler fencing of the 30's and 40's. I've been fencing for 10 years and I can tell you, this is a fantastic fight on a number of levels (enough to make me forgive the inevitable conversation at the bind :P ):

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx_vLz-DXjs"]YouTube - sabre duel[/ame]

Ogniem i mieczem also has some battle scenes where the Cossacks are using Hussite style war-wagons against Polish Winged Hussars, which is fascinating to watch (not to mention Cossack slavic dancing and totally insane horse tricks)

There is this other terrific Polish film set in the 9th Century called Stara Barsn ("The old Fairy Tale"), but I only have it in Polish (I can't find it with subtitles) so I don't understand what anybody is saying. You can follow the plot though easily enough.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYwdiUPFRCg"]YouTube - Stara Baśń - Arkona - Po Syroi Zemle[/ame]

It's got real norse and slavic gods, realistic early medieval communities (who don't look like cavemen), even without understanding a word anybody says (except the occasional 'thank you' which is the only word I know in Polish) it's one of the best DnD type films I have ever seen (although admittedly that isn't saying much.. and the fencing was pretty bad, nothing like The Deluge sadly ).

I wish we could get more people to see this kind of stuff in the US I think it would revive interest in History.

G.