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Bows in the movies
Matt S.:
What are some movies that feature extensive archery and bow screen time? Which movies catch your eye with the bows in them?
I usually sit on the couch when making my bow strings, and sometimes I want to watch a movie that features some good shots of bows in action.
Here are some movies that I can think of off the top of my head:
-The Lord of the Rings trilogy. For the most part a pretty good representation of bows with a few exceptions. It's obvious the bows are very light weight by how quickly and effortlessly the actors draw them back. I also don't think Aragorn's tiny bow would be very useful against armored foes. It is nice to see many different styles of bows, from straight stave selfbows to reflexed composites.
-Gladiator. The opening battle scene uses lots of archers loosing flaming arrows to great effect. The archers in the chariots using long composite bows to pick off the gladiators is also interesting.
-Robin Hood: Men in Tights. The best Robin Hood movie I've seen IMO 8) Lots of simple selfbows.
-Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. I don't honestly remember much from this movie except there were lots of burning arrows flying around during the opening credits. I think it did have some nice selfbows though.
-Robin Hood (Russel Crowe). I haven't seen it yet, but hear it has some good archery clips.
-Dragon Heart. I remember when the bad guy shoots some poor bloke and you get a nice long view of the bad guy's bow. It's a flatbow with some Meare Heethe style leather wrappings. When I saw it I thought "cool!, oh wait, I'm supposed to hate this guy."
-300. Comic book style (i.e. ridiculous) Persian bows. They creak loudly when drawn and their arrow heads are shaped like beetles or something. Definitely not a good movie to watch if you want realism (but I guess that's pretty obvious).
-Timeline. There's one scene towards the end where the French and English are exchanging volleys of arrows. It looks like both sides are using English Longbows. The first volley of arrows are on fire (it is night). Then the sly English bad guy gets clever and orders "Night arrows", aka arrows that aren't on fire. It took the French by surprise since they apparently were expecting the English to ignite any arrow sent their way.
-Conan the Barbarian. Subati, Conan's thief and archer friend, uses a short composite bow with good success. The evil guy uses seeking arrows "made" from snakes.
-The Gods Must be Crazy. The little bushman of the Kalahari uses a tiny little D-bow with unfletched poisoned arrows. Pretty cool.
Those are all that I can think of right now. Do you have any movies you could add?
stevey:
--- Quote from: Matt S. on February 21, 2011, 04:08:16 pm ---What are some movies that feature extensive archery and bow screen time? Which movies catch your eye with the bows in them?
I usually sit on the couch when making my bow strings, and sometimes I want to watch a movie that features some good shots of bows in action.
Here are some movies that I can think of off the top of my head:
-The Lord of the Rings trilogy. For the most part a pretty good representation of bows with a few exceptions. It's obvious the bows are very light weight by how quickly and effortlessly the actors draw them back. I also don't think Aragorn's tiny bow would be very useful against armored foes. It is nice to see many different styles of bows, from straight stave selfbows to reflexed composites.
-Gladiator. The opening battle scene uses lots of archers loosing flaming arrows to great effect. The archers in the chariots using long composite bows to pick off the gladiators is also interesting.
-Robin Hood: Men in Tights. The best Robin Hood movie I've seen IMO 8) Lots of simple selfbows.
-Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. I don't honestly remember much from this movie except there were lots of burning arrows flying around during the opening credits. I think it did have some nice selfbows though.
-Robin Hood (Russel Crowe). I haven't seen it yet, but hear it has some good archery clips.
-Dragon Heart. I remember when the bad guy shoots some poor bloke and you get a nice long view of the bad guy's bow. It's a flatbow with some Meare Heethe style leather wrappings. When I saw it I thought "cool!, oh wait, I'm supposed to hate this guy."
-300. Comic book style (i.e. ridiculous) Persian bows. They creak loudly when drawn and their arrow heads are shaped like beetles or something. Definitely not a good movie to watch if you want realism (but I guess that's pretty obvious).
-Timeline. There's one scene towards the end where the French and English are exchanging volleys of arrows. It looks like both sides are using English Longbows. The first volley of arrows are on fire (it is night). Then the sly English bad guy gets clever and orders "Night arrows", aka arrows that aren't on fire. It took the French by surprise since they apparently were expecting the English to ignite any arrow sent their way.
-Conan the Barbarian. Subati, Conan's thief and archer friend, uses a short composite bow with good success. The evil guy uses seeking arrows "made" from snakes.
-The Gods Must be Crazy. The little bushman of the Kalahari uses a tiny little D-bow with unfletched poisoned arrows. Pretty cool.
Those are all that I can think of right now. Do you have any movies you could add?
--- End quote ---
I've seen and liked almost all of the movies you mentioned. I thought Gladiator was awesome, but I'm not sure how realistic the opening scene was. I've often wondered about what I call the "Hollywood shower of arrows"... One movie you didn't mention that is my favorite was BraveHeart... and it seemed very realistic. Excellent list, in any event.
Matt S.:
I forgot about Braveheart because I haven't seen it in such a long time. I'll have to rent it sometime soon :)
Lemos:
What about The Scorpion king and the one with Keera Knightly in blue paint( I think it was King Arthur related)
medicinewheel:
Last Samurai has some archery scenes; Jaap Koppedrayer made all the bows in the movie.
I guess Tim Baker made the bow for scorpion king.
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