Articles - Films

My 7th Sea Films
by Andrew Peregrine

While the origins of 7th sea lies in the great novels like ‘The Three Musketeers’ and ‘The Man in the Iron Mask’, swashbuckling is something we got from the movies. Granted, they were movies based on the works of Dumas, but this time we had Errol Flynn cutting his way down the sails of a pirate ship with a dagger. So while it is still essential to read as much of the literature as you can, there are a lot of movies that can put you in the right mood for a game of 7th sea. So here is my movie choice, the films that inspire my game with their style, pace and banter. You may think of countless more, especially as these are all very recent. My choice here is more modern, as the classics are constantly being remade. I also don’t know enough about the older films to really pick out the best. You can add ‘anything with Errol Flynn’ to the list as well, as it is difficult to pick a favourite. Lady Yu accused me of being very young by having such a list of recent films! I think while the older films certainly have great charm and swashbuckling, the more recent ones have a greater degree of clever and witty dialogue.

There is very little order to this list. I have particular favourites, but in different ways for different reasons. So the list is written in no better alphabetical order.

The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) Dir Kevin Reynolds Starring Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Dagmara Domineyzk Another classic story remade recently. There may be better versions of the tale, but in this version almost every other line is worthy of quoting. The story involves our hero sent to prison when his best friend who wants his girl betrays him. However, he escapes and decides to get revenge using a great fortune he has acquired. The script is excellent, and all the characters play larger than life without overacting. Again, there are not too many sword fights, but the banter level more than makes up for it.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) Dir Ang Lee Starring Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh This story of unrequited love, honour and fighting society is full of the swashbuckling elements. Granted, it isn’t restoration, but very useful as a Cathay supplement. The action sequences are superb, and suggest eastern sword schools. Either way, this is such a good film, you should watch it anyway!
Cutthroat Island (1995) Dir Renny Harlin Starring Geena Davis, Matthew Modine Alright, I know, this is renowned as one of the worst films in history. It isn’t that great, but it isn’t that bad either. It involves the quest of a charming (and dangerous) lady pirate to claim all three parts of a treasure map so she can claim her inheritance. Unfortunately two of the parts are in the hands of her uncles, and the entire family are pirates. The whole thing is too straight forward to be truly good, but it is a lot of fun to watch. Come on, it’s even set in 1668!
Dangerous Beauty/The Honest Courtesan (1998) Dir Marshall Herskovitz Starring Catherine McCormack, Rufus Sewell, Oliver Platt, Jacqueline Bisset Based on the true story of Veronica Franco, this is the epitome of the situation in Vodacce. It is a great love story about a woman every Théan devotee should be aware of. Veronica is a woman forced to become one of Venice’s famous and glamorous courtesans. Even though the wives can’t use Sorte, you’ll find no better example of the situation for women in Vodacce.
Dangerous Liaisons (1998) Dir Stephen Frears Starring John Malkovich, Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer, Keanu Reeves, Uma Thurman Based on the French novel 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' this is a brilliant example of how to manipulate through seduction. The two main characters spend much of their time maintaining respectability, while seducing and destroying anyone foolish enough to fall in love with them. Needless to say, one of them really does fall in love, and that is enough to destroy everything. This may sound a little bit cliché, but this is only because I don't have space here to explain the twists and turns in the schemes of the characters. It is also full of amazingly elegant and funny quotes. Can goodness and virtue overcome decadence and betrayal, or will the conflict of virtue against decadence destroy everyone?
Elizabeth (1998) Dir Shekhar Kapur Starring Cate Blanchett, Joseph Finnes, Christopher Eccleston, Geoffrey Rush While this is a little outside the Théan timeline, this film of the ascension of Elizabeth the First to the English throne is still a must see. Few films give you this depth of political drama and thriller. For the sake of putting a country together, people need to make sacrifices and hard choices, and a few more people have to die. It is almost a historical Tom Clancy novel. A great source for Avalon adventures.
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot (2004) Dir Gillies MacKinnon Starring Robert Carlyle, Clémence Poésy and many others Not quite the right time, but close enough. This BBC drama mini series is the story of Mary Queen of Scots and the rise of her son James I. It centres mainly on the plot to blow up parliament by Guy Fawkes and his conspirators. An excellent vision of politics, rulership and conspiracy. Watch it as a sequel to ‘Elizabeth’.
A Knight’s Tale (2001) Dir Brian Helgeland Starring Heath Ledger, Rufus Sewell, Mark Addy, Laura Frazer Again, not really the right timeline, but still worth watching. In this film the bad guys still wear black and are utterly arrogant and despicable. Forget about nobles and courtly intrigue, this is how the common folk live.
The Lady and the Highwayman (1989) Dir John Hough Starring Hugh Grant, Lysette Anthony, Emma Samms, Oliver Reed, John Mills… This adaptation of a Barbara Cartland novel is so bad, not even the incredible cast can save it. It is almost as if they are all trying to be bad so not to show any of the others up. Either that or the script is just so bad they know there is no hope whatever they do. But if you like well filmed panto, this is for you. It has all the usual elements; beautiful woman in danger of losing her fortune becomes besotted with a mysterious highwayman. Like ‘Sunset Beach’ or a car accident; you know it’s terrible but you just can’t stop watching. It’s wrong, but I really liked it!
The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) Dir Randall Wallace Starring Jeremy Irons, Gabriel Byrne, Gerard Depardieu, John Malkovich, Leonardo DiCaprio I am surprised Leonardo made this film. He should have known from the start he would be blown off the screen by his co stars. The story involves a plot by the three musketeers to put a new king on the throne, this new king being the old ones twin brother. There are plenty of versions of this classic story, but this recent one is a lot of fun (even if it isn't a very good film). It is rare to see a line up of actors like this as well, which makes it very watchable. The scene where D’Artangan stops a peasant riot over rotten fruit is pure General Montague.
The Mask of Zorro (1998) Dir Martin Campbell Starring Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta Jones If you even consider running a Castille or El Vago campaign, you must see this film. For me, this is what Castille looks like, and exactly the style of El Vago. There are plenty of Zorro films out there, but this modern version is my favourite. The sword fighting is superb, especially as Zorro fights using Gallegos! There are several top lines to add to the list of Repartee. My favourite is this exchange during the party. ‘Captain Love: Do you mind? The lady and I were trying to dance. Alejandro: No, you were trying, she was succeeding. I’m sorry captain, a shameless joke at your expense, I’m sure it will not be the last.’
The Mummy (1999) & The Mummy Returns (2001) Dir Stephen Summers Starring Brendan Fraser, Rachael Weisz, John Hannah Alright, I know what you are thinking; this has nothing to do with Restoration Europe. You would be right, but the style of this film is so utterly swashbuckling you cannot possibly discount it. These films follow a group of heroes trying to avert the destruction of the world by a force they were foolish enough to play with. Sound like your players? They are put together so well that if your game has this level of action, romance and repartee, you are doing well.
The Musketeer (2001) Dir Peter Hyams Starring Justin Chambers, Mena Suvari, Tim Roth This recent film seemed an attempt to bring ‘the Matrix’ to swashbuckling. It is the story of the three musketeers, but without much of the three musketeers themselves. Somehow it seems to work, especially Tim Roth who is obviously enjoying playing a bad guy far too much. The fights are a lot to take in, as they are often done on wires and involve the entire contents of the room. Put it this way, if Yoda fighting with a lightsabre in episode 2 was cool rather than ridiculous (or both) to you, then you will enjoy this film a lot.
Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) Dir Gore Verbinski Staring Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly, Geoffrey Rush Just when you thought swashbuckling had been forgotten by Hollywood, they gave us this! It still can't quite top 'The Princess Bride', but it makes a damn good try. It has everything you could want, evil pirates, magical curses and banter aplenty. All the cast are superb, but the prize must go to the bizarre and excellent performance by Johnny Depp as Captain Jack . The story involves a group of cursed pirates looking to return the last coin of a treasure they stole so they can feel human again. Lined against these minions of the Black Freighter are the pirate obsessed daughter of the local governor, the blacksmith who loves her and Captain Jack. Although Jack isn't interested in the curse, he just wants their ship, 'The Black Pearl'. You'll never believe a Disney film could be this good!
Plunkett & Macleane (1999) Dir Jake Scott Staring Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, Liv Tyler This story of two dangerous highwaymen is full of excellent quotes. The two men down on their luck hatch a bold plan. MacLeane is a noble, and can access the salons of the rich to find out the best people to rob, which he and Plunkett do. This film is full of fantastic quotes, although the style is a little odd so some of it may not appeal.
The Princess Bride (1987) Dir Rob Reiner Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright and many others… OK, stop here. If you haven’t seen this film, go out and see it now before you go any further. This film is as essential to a game of 7th sea/swashbuckling adventures as the main rule book. It is packed with comedy, action, romance, charm and wit. It has its own style, but one you will instantly recognise. Somehow it is so over the top it is underplayed. It is exactly what your game should aspire to. I would tell you more, but telling you any of the plot would put you off, as you have to see it to get the point. There are no words to recommend this film highly enough, go out and get a copy now!
Quills (2000) Dir Philip Kaufman Starring Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix, Micheal Caine Scandal and depravity abound in this tale about the Marquis de Sade and his explicit literature. His nemesis is played by Michael Caine, who’s devout Puritanism proves far more monstrous than De Sade’s depravity. The cast is excellent, featuring Kate Winslet as the Marquis’s friend and confidant, and Phoenix as the priest trying to bring him under a little control.
Restoration (1995) Dir Micheal Hoffman Starring Robert Downey jr, Sam Neill, Meg Ryan This film is about the rise and fall of a doctor during the swashbuckling era. How he begins with a life of debauchery, but learns that some things need to be taken seriously. There is almost no sword fighting, as it is about a man’s life rather than his swordplay. However it shows very well how the favour of a king can raise you to the greatest heights and the darkest lows.
Shakespere in Love (1998) Dir John Madden Staring Gwenyth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffry Rush, Ben Affleck, Judy Dench Theatre is a rather timeless affair, so this tale of how Romeo & Juliet was written suits as well for Théah as for Elizabethan England. It is a great tale of complication and drama, just what any 7th sea game should have.
Sleepy Hollow (1999) Dir Tim Burton Starring Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci If you are interested in running a darker Théan adventure, give this film a look. It is as good as set in Eisen near ‘Die Schwartzen Walden’. Johnny Depp plays a policeman sent to the dark town to investigate a series of murders. Each victim has had their head cut off, and the villagers say the murderer is the ghost of a headless horseman. The style is everything we have come to expect of Tim Burton, and includes a heavy dose of haunting romance and dark hell born ghost story.
The Three Musketeers (1973) / The Four Musketeers (The revenge of Milady) (1974) / The Return of the Musketeers (1989) Dir Richard Lester Starring Micheal York, Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch, Christopher Lee… These three films are perhaps the best version of Dumas' books. The cast list contains just about everyone who was famous at the time. Famously the sequel caused a lot of anger in the cast. The director told them at would be one film, but actually released it as two separate films, drastically reducing the fee the cast would have got. The pair are followed by a third film introducing Kim Catrall as the daughter of Milady out to get revenge for her mother’s death. She is every bit the 7th sea villainess, dangerous, beautiful and talented. If you need to see any version of Dumas’s classic, watch this one first.
The Three Musketeers (1993) Dir Stephen Herek Starring Keifer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Chris O’Donnell, Tim Curry … Not a patch on the above version of three musketeers, but quite fun nevertheless. Some good lines, but proof that brilliant casting cannot make up for a bad adaptation.

French Films

Brotherhood of the Wolf (Le Pacte des loups) (2001) French with subtitles Dir Christophe Gans Starring Samuel Le Bihan, Mark Dacascos, Emilie Dequenne, Monica Bellucci This is a rather dark and haunting fil is best described as a swashbuckling version of ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’. The fight scenes are good, and the politics around the creature terrorising the countryside are rife. There are some nasty scenes, so it isn’t for the squeamish, but it isn’t as full of gore and blood as that sounds. A great murder mystery and a political thriller.
Le Bossu (The Hunchback) (1997) French with subtitles Dir Phillippe De Broca Starring Daniel Auteuil, Vincent Perez, Marie Gillain, Fabrice Luchini A brilliant film that shows the power of mastering a swordsman’s knack! The plot twists and turns over several years, as a man looks after the baby of his noble friend. The opening sequence contains one of my favourite banter sessions of all time. I won’t spoil it, but watch for the reason our hero was thrown out of the army. The only down side is that the romantic resolution makes you worry about the French attitude to acceptable relationships!
Cyrano de Bergerac (1990) French with subtitles Dir Jean-Paul Rappeneau Starring Gerard Depardieu, Vincent Perez, Anne Brochet This is also one of the most fantastic films ever made. The entire cast performs this old story of unrequited love brilliantly. Depardieu plays Cyrano, a man who believes himself too ugly to woo the object of his love, Roxanne. He is upset to discover she fancies a dashing young chevalier under his command. However, as luck would have it the young man is totally tongue tied when it comes to girls and asks for Cyrano’s help to chat her up. If your game has half of the tragic passion of this film you are doing well, and if you are not in tears by the end of it then you really weren’t paying any attention.
D’Artagnan’s Daughter (1994) Also known as ‘La Fille de d'Artagnan’, and ‘Revenge of the Musketeers’ French with subtitles Dir Bertrand Tavernier Starring Sophie Marceau, Phillipe Noiret, Claude Rich, Sami Frey In this film the characters do everything I have come to expect from my players in my 7th sea game. D’artagnan’s daughter (now all grown up) gets completely the wrong end of the stick about the plots of the bad guys and charges out to right wrongs. Luckily everyone is so paranoid that their plots begin to unravel, through no fault of our heroine. Watch in awe as the carefully plotted scenario falls apart and the GM improvises feverishly to catch up with clever but hopelessly misdirected characters.
Vatel (2000) Dir Roland Joffe Staring Gerard Depardieu, Uma Therman, Tim Roth, Julian Sands… Vatel is the chief steward to a great French general. When the King decides to spend a long weekend, there is little or no money to entertain him. Vatel pushes the limits of the General’s credit to see to the kings need, knowing that if the king is unimpressed it will mean the end of the estate. The film shows brilliantly the way nobles behave to their servants, and the games they play with each other. It is quite essential for any game set in pre-revolution Montaigne. Tim Roth is the charming and selfish attaché to the king, and Uma Thurman is a young woman who remains cynical to the games of the court and the power she can gain for herself when she attracts the king’s attention.

The ones I haven’t seen.
There seem to be a lot of very good films that never see the light of day, or a region 2 release. So here is a list of films I’ve noticed may be good, but haven’t gone on sale at my local DVD shop yet.

The Abduction Club (2002) Dir Stephan Schwartz Staring Matthew Rhys, Daniel Lapaine, Alice Evans, Sophia Myles This is quite a recent film that should be available. A few lads despair of ever finding the right kind of girl. So they kidnap a collection of local beauties and hope to win their affection. This is little more than a more refined version of bashing her on the head and dragging her to your cave, but needless to say, the guys get a lot more than they bargained for.
The Affair of the Necklace (2001) Dir Charles Shyer Staring Hilary Swank, Jonathan Pryce, Simon Baker, Christopher Walken Stuff gets stolen by a less than honest Hilary Swank. Good cast, and hopefully a few more plot twists that a simple theft.
Artemisia (1997) Dir Agnes Merlet Staring Valentina Carvi, Michel Serrault, Miki Manojlovic A young woman in early 17th century Italy (Artemisia Gentileschi) breaks tradition by becoming the first commissioned female artist in the world. Lots of intense study and artistic passion throughout I expect.
Marquise (1997) French with subtitles Dir Vera Belmont Staring Sophie Marceau, Lambert Wilson Try as I might I still can’t find a copy of this one either. Sophie Marceau apparently plays a streetwalker who becomes a celebrated actress when more than her usual talent is spotted.