04-04-2007, 12:26 PM
Jason wrote:
I think we still have to wait for the definitive work. However it is clear that some research went into the equipment used into the following films 'The Robe', 'Cleopatra' (1963 version) and 'The Fall of the Roman Empire'. In most cases the equipment is based on sculpture however in 'The Robe' I have recognized the modern book illustration that was used for equipment and tunic colour used by the legionaries while in 'FOTRE' some of the helmets are based on archaeological examples from the right era.
On TV one of the better productions was 'AD-Anno Domini' the long forgotten sequel to 'Jesus of Nazareth'. Again some of the equipment was based on archaeological sources and includes coolus helmets and auxiliary helmets with inscribed hair decoration, archers with conical helmets and long robes, fairly accurate Praetorian helmets and uniforms and some pretty decent field fortifications based on Alesia. A large number of extras were equipped for the scene when Caligula launched his 'invasion' of Britain but sadly all of this gear sems to have vanished as it does appear in the more recent TV productions. If anyone hears of this series being released on DVD Please let me know!
Jim raises a good point that we do not realize what is actually involved in production. Not all films have mega budgets and some amazing effects are achieved which we so often take for granted. There are many other factors in film making that we do not appreciate. The script is not always the work of one person and can go through several rewrites before filming even begins. This can explain why it is often difficult to get an 'expert' on board from the very beginning. One rare instance of this happening in recent times is with the film 'Alexander' when Oliver Stone worked quite closely with Robin Lane Fox and look how that was received! The accurate costumes in that production hardly registered on any-ones scale.
Using reenactors is one solution for film companies, although the length of production time is obviously a limiting factor but it has also been pointed out that whatever the standard of their kit there are unfortunately many reenactors who do not look like or act like period soldiers. For example the American Civil War artist Don Troianai uses re-enactors as models for his paintings but always tries to get the emaciated looking ones!
Graham.
Quote:so what is the definitive work or works on arms and equipment for the legionaire thus far? i should like to order it very much. -gratis
I think we still have to wait for the definitive work. However it is clear that some research went into the equipment used into the following films 'The Robe', 'Cleopatra' (1963 version) and 'The Fall of the Roman Empire'. In most cases the equipment is based on sculpture however in 'The Robe' I have recognized the modern book illustration that was used for equipment and tunic colour used by the legionaries while in 'FOTRE' some of the helmets are based on archaeological examples from the right era.
On TV one of the better productions was 'AD-Anno Domini' the long forgotten sequel to 'Jesus of Nazareth'. Again some of the equipment was based on archaeological sources and includes coolus helmets and auxiliary helmets with inscribed hair decoration, archers with conical helmets and long robes, fairly accurate Praetorian helmets and uniforms and some pretty decent field fortifications based on Alesia. A large number of extras were equipped for the scene when Caligula launched his 'invasion' of Britain but sadly all of this gear sems to have vanished as it does appear in the more recent TV productions. If anyone hears of this series being released on DVD Please let me know!
Jim raises a good point that we do not realize what is actually involved in production. Not all films have mega budgets and some amazing effects are achieved which we so often take for granted. There are many other factors in film making that we do not appreciate. The script is not always the work of one person and can go through several rewrites before filming even begins. This can explain why it is often difficult to get an 'expert' on board from the very beginning. One rare instance of this happening in recent times is with the film 'Alexander' when Oliver Stone worked quite closely with Robin Lane Fox and look how that was received! The accurate costumes in that production hardly registered on any-ones scale.
Using reenactors is one solution for film companies, although the length of production time is obviously a limiting factor but it has also been pointed out that whatever the standard of their kit there are unfortunately many reenactors who do not look like or act like period soldiers. For example the American Civil War artist Don Troianai uses re-enactors as models for his paintings but always tries to get the emaciated looking ones!
Graham.
"Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream" Edgar Allan Poe.
"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.
"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.
"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
