Battle of Waterloo Re-enactment Article

[Frances Perry]

Okay, so this is pupporting to be advertising the event which is every 5 years, but why does the guy have to write in such a "take the p*ss out of re-enactors" way...?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/7810 ... erloo.html

[Jim Smith]

Because any 'look at the weirdos' story makes good copy. In essence it's no different to some of the stuff put out by the Mail and the Express - just aimed at a social group with a better understanding of sarcasm.

In the end, our summer weekends mostly aren't spent doing 'normal' things like DIY, gardening etc. There's also a very post-modernist tone to the article. 'It all happened a long time ago - why bother raking it up?' Living history will always be odd to people like this - those very centred in the 'here and now'.

[Marcus Woodhouse]

I'm truely shocked.
I didn't think anyone actually read the culture section of the Telegraph.

[Nigel]

I do on SUNDAY mornings over a full English

[Fox]

To me that seems like a good piece of journalism; it isn't 100% flattering to re-enactors, but then perhaps it shouldn't be. There is something slightly tasteless, and yet, at the same time, comical, about battle re-enactments.

[Jim Smith]

To me that seems like a good piece of journalism; it isn't 100% flattering to re-enactors, but then perhaps it shouldn't be. There is something slightly tasteless, and yet, at the same time, comical, about battle re-enactments.

A very good point, though I think the 'feel' of the re-enactment is largely dependent on the spirit in which it is done. I think a lot of us look like we're losing sight of the fact that we're 're-creating' an event where thousands of people butchered each other. It's all a bit of a laugh and absolutely rife with (necessary) compromises. Which begs the question, why do it at all? I'm playing devil's advocate a bit here since I do enjoy a well scripted battle where the script gets followed and people don't let their egos get in the way. It's still a legitimate point though.

[J.Watson / Anmod Dracan]

To me that seems like a good piece of journalism; it isn't 100% flattering to re-enactors, but then perhaps it shouldn't be.

Pretty much what I thought too.

I've read far worse, anything penned by Janet Street-F*****g-Porter for a start!

[Sasha]

... I think a lot of us look like we're losing sight of the fact that we're 're-creating' an event where thousands of people butchered each other.

I've often wondered about the people who bring their kids along to watch it as a bit of Bank Holiday entertainment....

[Marcus Woodhouse]

For the same reason that James Bond/Die Hard/Jaws/LOTR get shown over Easter/Xmas/bank holidays-escapist fun.
If you really wanted a guarente of violence and bloodshed you'd watch motorsport/boxing or get banjoed and start singing footie songs.

[Dave B]

I thought it was quite a fun article really.

[Sasha]

For the same reason that James Bond/Die Hard/Jaws/LOTR get shown over Easter/Xmas/bank holidays-escapist fun.
If you really wanted a guarente of violence and bloodshed you'd watch motorsport/boxing or get banjoed and start singing footie songs.

Come back to the same thing though - why is depicting violent death seen as 'fun'? I don't pretend to have an answer and it won't stop me standing around in fields wearing old military clothing but it does cross my mind now and then.

[Fox]

Come back to the same thing though - why is depicting violent death seen as 'fun'?

Because, biologically, game playing prepares us for real life situation; it's why preditor mamals play hunting and fighting games when they're young.

We're all preparing to deal with a war; our basic biology doesn't know if we're 50/200/600/1000/2000[*] years too late for the type of battle we're watching.

* delete as applicable

[The_Kyle]

And yet the author of that same article will probably happily run off and watch Black Hawk Down or Gladiator or Stalingrad or <insert violent war/history film here> and watch "grown men" pretend to recreate historical battles only this time instead of being at the actual site and inviting people to come and see for themselves how it happened, feel the weight of the weapons, try on the uniforms etc, its all made of plastic held together with duct tape in a air conditioned sound stage in California.

[Daniel Ezra]

I, like others, have read this. I spotted it in the cornershop when chappie was sorting out the suppliments, and I saw the photo of Frank Sampson, on the front. I haven't met him, but I have had dinner with Schnieder, after Austerlitz in 2005.

It would be well worth it to read the restaurant review on the back page of that suppliment, by the same hack.

The guy fancies himself as a comedian. He writes to poke fun. If it isn't re-enactors its others.

Ignore him, he is a worthless jouro.

The photo of the battle, though, does need comment.

Which idiot allowed a photographer on the field in modern kit, plus a bonnet?

I do beleive that this subject has been punted back and forth on this form before.

[gregory23b]

" Why are 3,000 grown men about to re-enact one of the bloodiest battles in history? "

Because they can.

It also gives the writer something to squawk about.

But if he is genuinely curious as the journos seem to profess, then why not actually join a club and see what the fuss is about.

Didn't think it was that bad an article, far worse IMHO were he trying to make it 'worthy'.

[wurzul]

I just wish he had managed to convey that the event is annual and not once every five years. Was that too much to hope for?

[John Waller]

Which idiot allowed a photographer on the field in modern kit, plus a bonnet?

Dunno, but there were dozens of people on the field with cameras.

All said it was a great gig though. The congreave rockets were brilliant. Beware - I brought one home as a souvenir and now know how to build them.

[Fox]

I'll reiterate; I am suprised anyone is upset by this article (except perhaps for Wurzul's point, factual inaccuracy is a little irritating).

I'll say again I think it's a clever piece of journalism.
He places himself in the role of objectivity to the point of sceptasism, and allows the re-enactors to speak for themselves (bear in mind that he has picked those quotes as well as his own comments).

I'm not suprised that re-enactors can't put themselves in his shoes, perhaps it's truth we don't want to hear, but I think he is reflecting how a lot of the public initially percieve re-enactments.
I think it would help us to understand that.

[Foxe]

I'll second Fox. Considering the fact that as reenactors we do leave our jobs as clerks and trolley-boys on Friday to drive hundreds of miles, wear clothes that haven't been in fashion for x-hundred years, and pretend to be soldiers (in the context of this piece), it was not an unfair article in the slightest. I suggest those who found it offensive (barring complaints about factual innaccuracy) should have a look at their hobby from the outside.

[Eric the well read]

Some reasoned argument there.
Can I ask your opinions on this? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/england/article4572704.ece
It's quite old and a bit long but worth reading to the end. Is this what we should be aiming for?
Regards
Eric

[John Waller]

Some reasoned argument there.
Can I ask your opinions on this? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/england/article4572704.ece
It's quite old and a bit long but worth reading to the end. Is this what we should be aiming for?
Regards
Eric

Willow shafted arrows!

[Phil the Grips]

I'll second Fox. Considering the fact that as reenactors we do leave our jobs as clerks and trolley-boys on Friday to drive hundreds of miles, wear clothes that haven't been in fashion for x-hundred years, and pretend to be soldiers (in the context of this piece), it was not an unfair article in the slightest. I suggest those who found it offensive (barring complaints about factual innaccuracy) should have a look at their hobby from the outside.

But...but...but put like that I'm only one tiny step away from being a...a...a...morris dancer!

[Dave B]

But...but...but put like that I'm only one tiny step away from being a...a...a...morris dancer!

Pull the other one....

[caveman101]

...its got bells on

[Marcus Woodhouse]

A few years back I was in the procession for the old westgate medieval fayre walking up one side of the street while a morris dance troop walked down the other and at exactly the same time i and one of the dancers said "what are these bloody weirdos dressed like" before both giggling away at each other.