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'Culloden' 1964
GlennWade


Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 151
Location: Swansea
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Hi All,

As a huge fan of this seminal work, I was wondering if any of you had seen or are fans of the film? I say film, but it's actually a Docu-drama set during and in the wake of the battle of Culloden 1746. The effect is achieved by placing an unseen camera crew and interviewer on the field. talking to participants etc. A truly gut wrenching piece of art and as it was released roughly the same time as 'Zulu' and the historical advisor was none other than 'Zulu' screenwriter John Prebble, I thought it may warrant some interesting debate.

Cheers,

Glenn

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diagralex


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 208
Location: Broomfield, Essex
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I remember seeing this documentary when it was originally released. At that time it was a totally new way of presenting a film about the battle.
That must have been some time in the 60's and I think that it has been shown on television again a year or so ago.
I did not see it again then, and wonder if its original impact has now been lost over the span of years ?

Graham
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Peter Ewart


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Near Canterbury, Kent, England.
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I vaguely recall this too. Was this the one in which a new fangled method of bayonetting the chap to your left front was suggested, relying on the mate to your right to bayonet the chap immediately in front of you? Or is my memory at fault? Sounds a dodgy development to me!

I once also had Prebble's book on Culloden but it is long gone now.

Peter
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Great Film!
yankee


Joined: 29 Mar 2006
Posts: 17
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I saw this back on tv in St. Louis in 1967, and saw it again as part of a English history course in college. It is available in the US from "Belle & Blade" along with Watkin's other seminal film, "The War Game" done in the same style on the same cassette.

"Culloden" was very well-made for it's time; Watkin's use of a small army of extras was excellent, moving them around until it seemed like there were many more men on the fields of Drummossie Moor. His use of the 3 pounders and showing the havoc done by the shelling of the highlander's ranks was shocking, but the close-range fire of the muskets and work done by the bayonets ("Remember Barrel's....off to the right!") was astounding. The only flaw that I noticed, and it was after repeated viewings, was the US Army 45-70 trapdoor rifles used as Brown Besses.
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AMB


Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 921
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Sounds interesting. Is this film avail on [UK] DVD?

AMB
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Culloden
Robert John


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 205
Location: The Netherlands
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AMB,

Try www.pegasus-records.com/dvd---they have quite a good selection including Culloden which does sound very interesting.

Robert

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Sheldon Hall


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 377
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For information, John Prebble's 1961 book CULLODEN was the basis of Watkins' 1964 film. Prebble did not actually work on the film but Watkins insisted he have a credit of some sort, hence the 'adviser' bit. The film was not released in cinemas but was made and shown by BBC TV. It's currently available on DVD in the UK from the BFI (with some extras), as is THE WAR GAME (another BBC production, albeit one which was banned from TV showing for 20 years, being shown instead in specialised cinemas and on the non-theatrical circuit, e.g. at CND meetings).

There's an interview with Prebble about the book and film of CULLODEN in (I think) the book British HISTORICAL CINEMA (I ought to know, as it contains an article by me on ZULU, but memory is vague these days!).
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Another Aspect of this film!
yankee


Joined: 29 Mar 2006
Posts: 17
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Since this film is over 40 years old, there is a controversial side to it, due to Prebble's book & comments about the treatment of the highlanders after the battle. The film vividly shows the British soldiers slaughtering those left on the field by shooting, bayonetting, clubbing or cutting their throats, & done under orders of The Duke of Cumberland. I believe that several books have since been published by Stuart Reid ("Like Hungry Wolves", "1745" etc.) that show that this account was due to a letter written by a Scottish minister describing the above actions which has since been shown to be a forgery. Surprised

Any thoughts on this?
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Culloden
Robert John


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 205
Location: The Netherlands
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If you visit the battlefield you are led around by a highlander in full regalia and he leaves one in no doubt as to what Cumberland did to them after the battle and also during the aftermath---he absolutely devastated the highlands.
I got the impression that they were still very bitter about what happened to them.

Robert

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R J Jones
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Culloden.

I've always been interested in last stands - Culloden I had considered pursuing, having purchased the Windrow & Greene silver series title on the battle, which, regretfully, I no longer have, as it is a last stand which is 'closer to home' for me.

If I hadn't been sidetracked with a huge fascination with Isandlwana/Rorke's Drift, who knows, I may have done a greater study of this battle and the events before and after it, in depth.

I can't comment on the controversial issues surrounding the battle, but I can tell you, to some, it is still a sensitive subject, even now.

The battlefield today ? I've heard many stories about the 'feeling' you get when you visit it.

I'd be very interested to hear a bit more from those 'in the know', what exactly the thoughts are about Culloden.

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Watching the news last night, when details about the Culloden battlefield/museum appeared, and additions for visitors.

Apparently, there is a 360 degree drama/documentary, which makes you feel as though you are in the middle of the battlefield.

I'm not sure of the details, but I think they've also introduced some sort of navigation equipment, that you can hear what happened at each part of the battlefield, where you are standing. I don't know specifics.

They really do appear to be putting a lot of work and effort into it.

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diagralex


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 208
Location: Broomfield, Essex
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I totally agree with you. They have made an incredible difference to the battlefield.
When I first visited the battlefield, it was dissected by a main road which ran straight throught he middle of it, and completely shattered the illusion.
This road has now been removed and the moor allowed to regenerate again. It is now (nearly) as it was 250 years ago.

Graham
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Graham

It is a battlefield/museum I'd like to visit eventually.

There could be a chance sometime in the future, as it is not that far away.

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'Culloden' 1964
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