One of my favourite war films is the 1970s classic, if rather violent and cynical, Cross of Iron. Directed by Sam Peckinpah and based on an earlier novel it features the escapades of the vertran Stiener and his platoon. Worth watching if you haven’t seen it.
Figures Armour and Artillery offer a pack of five figures in 20mm size based on characters from the platoon and I’m pleased I’m finally able to add them to my collection.
Just need to write up some skirmish scenarios for them now. Films have often inspired my skirmish games, as I’m sure it has for many of you. What has been the favourite you’ve done?
Cheers,
Pete.
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Great Work Pete. Cross of Iron is up there in my top 5 war films
Thanks. It is a great film.
Cheers,
Pete.
Great figures! I remember watching Cross of Iron on the big screen, I think I went twice!
Thanks Jeff. Lucky to have seen it on the big screen.
Cheers,
Pete.
one of the best war movies ever Pete. Sam Peckinpah was the original Tarantino!
As a kid i used to use episodes of the A-Team as plots for games – RPG type skirmishes mainly
He really was the 70s Tarantino (I like his work but if you watch older films he is quite derrivative imo, Tarantino I mean).
A team plots would work really well.
Cheers,
Pete.
Peckinpah is a master. Have you seen The Wild Bunch? Also violent and cynical, but it’s got some great set piece shootouts that I’d love to incorporate into a skirmish game.
I love The Wild Bunch- the final shoot out is fantastic. It would make a great game, especially for multiplayer chaos.
Cheers,
Pete.
I remember being amazed by the opening shootout, and thinking, “No way they can top this.” Then the insane final shootout happens and completely blows everything else that came before it away.
Totally agree with that. Thje final scenes are pretty much perfect imo.
Cheers,
Pete.
Nicely done, Pete! 🙂 One of my favourite films as well! I think 55 Days In Peking helped me along with my Boxer Rebellion games!
Thanks John. I’ve not seen all of that one just bits on TV- one to lookout for.
Cheers,
Pete.
Nice looking minis. Im pretty sure i saw it a few years back.
Thank you. Easily in my top 5 war films.
Cheers,
Pete.
Very nice Pete and a great film. 🙂
Thank you.
Cheers,
Pete.
As a teenager I read the book under its original title “The Willing Flesh”. I have only seen the film “Cross of Iron” once, dubbed into French. Very Peckinpah.
I’ve read the book too- about 20 years ago now when I was first getting into gaming the Eastern Front.
Cheers,
Pete.
Great work Pete. Loved Cross of Iron. I consider movies and comics excellent “primary” source material! Even that awful bug movie I reviewed a while back. https://phillipislandgamingsociety392176732.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=32122&action=edit&calypsoify=1
I have had a series of phantom novels by Lee Falk and just finished The Veiled lady. About big bugs in a Volcano. May be able to put the two of them together.
Thanks.
Often low rent films/ media have better plots for gaming… their simplicity and action focus is easier to replicate on the table top.
Cheers,
Pete.
Interesting group of figs, well done. Also an interesting question. My scenarios have mostly been historically based, and I rarely get time to watch movies anymore!
Thanks Mark.
I know what you mean about watching films. I don’t watch as many as I used to. I try to do one a month though.
Cheers,
Pete.
A great looking set of models – and a film I definitely need to rewatch.
Thanks Azazel. It is hight on my rewatch list too.
Cheers,
Pete.
Lovely figures, very evocative of the classic movie too.
Cheers Roger.
Thanks Roger. Got to get them to the table top next.
Cheers,
Pete.