Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Grummore Dec 15, 2003 9:28:11	There can be only a part that as a small athasian flavor or it maybe very athasian, just mention it. Someone just mentionned "Blood of Heroes" which I havent seen. Maybe Mad Max, but only the desert part? What's your though, what have you seen and what could you suggest to the DS fan base on movie that as an athasian favor!
#2 jon_oracle_of_athas Dec 15, 2003 10:20:37	My first pick: "Gladiator" with Russel Crowe.
#3 dawnstealer Dec 15, 2003 10:29:10	Sparticus is pretty good, as is Lawrence of Arabia. Believe it or not, Monty Python's Life of Brian has many great ideas for the way an Athasian city should feel. Dune. Um...I got others, but can't think about them right now.
#4 zombiegleemax Dec 15, 2003 10:48:27	Not a movie, but a book that very much rings of Darkn Sun The ElvenBane/ElvenBlood/ElvenBorn series by Norton and Lackey is definately Dark Sun like. Few changes, such as instead of sorc kings being the almighty tyrants it's the elves. and Psionics are restricted to Humans as their "Magic" etc, etc. But the slavery, tyrany, rebellions, double crossing, all very dark sun like.
#5 zombiegleemax Dec 15, 2003 17:00:21	I think Return of the Jedi has to rate as a particular influence on Dark Sun. In addition, although to a lesser extent, Dune and Mad Max 2 have their place. A Boy and His Dog and Zardoz might also feature. Perhaps (the original) Planet of the Apes as well.
#6 nytcrawlr Dec 17, 2003 15:23:05	Blood of Heroes is another one to add to the list. Which is surprisingly on DVD now. Blood of Heroes on DVD
#7 hida_jiremi Dec 18, 2003 12:01:54	Don't forget a source that's actually a pretty strong influence on the creation of the Dark Sun setting: the Gor novels by John Norman. There were two movies, Slave of Gor and Outlaw of Gor; while neither were superb, they actually managed to capture a good bit of DS flavor (and they had Jack Palance as one of the god-kings). I also recommend the novels to anyone interested in the history and origins of their favorite setting. Hida Jiremi
#8 zombiegleemax Dec 18, 2003 22:44:46	Triumph of the Spirit - Willem Defoe Holocaust movie, based on a true story, in which a Polish boxer receives favors from Nazi officials for favors. Great to get the feeling of what real gladiators may have felt like. Ship of Slaves: The Middle Passage - Story of the Atlantic African Slave trip. Excellent movie in and of itself. Usefull for reminding one of what slavery is really like. May be hard to get ahold of. The English Patient - I don't particularly like this movie, but it is visually stunning. Largely takes place in the Sahara Desert. Great for the expansive panoramas. The Dune series - I'm a big Frank Herbert fan. How can this movie help Darksun? Replace the major Houses with the Athasian merchant guilds. Then run a game that would make Machiavelli proud... As a side note, two books that any roleplayer should read, "Art of War," and "The Prince." -Shea
#9 zombiegleemax Dec 18, 2003 22:47:33	Originally posted by Zeitgeistgeist Triumph of the Spirit - Willem Defoe Holocaust movie, based on a true story, in which a Polish boxer receives favors from Nazi officials for favors. Great to get the feeling of what real gladiators may have felt like. Uh, sorry, I meant to say favors for boxing. The above would have been a completely different movie....
#10 zombiegleemax Dec 18, 2003 23:23:07	For anyone running a stint up in Eldaarich, you can't pass up the book or movie 1984 for giving a superb depiction of just what's its like to live under extreme oppression. Draskinor makes the other SKs seem like they're running hippie communes of freedom and love.
#11 jon_oracle_of_athas Dec 19, 2003 3:43:21	As a side note, two books that any roleplayer should read, "Art of War," and "The Prince." By Sun Tzu and Nicolo Machiavelli respectively.
#12 zombiegleemax Dec 19, 2003 10:14:00	sorry, just really had to shudder at that reference to Zardoz...poor, poor, Mr Connery. As far as Dune, you're better off with SciFi's adaptations. They went not quite as hard core in the wierd science route. A lot of the costuming in the mini-series' could actually translate directly into DS. That, and Athas could really use Shai'Halud.
#13 zombiegleemax Dec 19, 2003 15:54:42	were just talking about flavor right... how about the antithesis of Athas... Waterworld
#14 zombiegleemax Dec 19, 2003 22:12:28	Beastmaster!
#15 dawnstealer Dec 19, 2003 22:44:19	While you're at that, why not Conan. I still like Gladiator.
#16 zombiegleemax Dec 20, 2003 15:22:09	Conan had more of a fantasy feel while Beastmaster was much more tribal. I am sure there are plenty of Indian, Israeli, Arab and Persian films that are very Dark Sun. One documenty that I watched in my Sumerian History class was a modern documenty on a tribe of herders in the Zargos mountains (Ringing Mountains). They lived out of tents and would buy supplies at a local town (village). There was a leader who would decide when to move the herd to better pastures. They had all sorts of problems like a skirmish with another herding trade, in which gunfire and deaths were involved. They made peace and kept traveling. It was a look into the tribes around a mountain range in Dark Sun.
#17 zombiegleemax Dec 20, 2003 17:24:22	I rather liked Beastmaster . . . those weird bat-like things made their way into an old Greyhawk campaign I ran. Maybe they need to take a vaction to Athas. I did model (unconsciously) a large scale raiding tribe after the Jung Horde though, just never realized it till now.
#18 zombiegleemax Dec 20, 2003 21:48:35	Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome- Not the greatest effort, but has some useful elements. Go Tell the Spartans. Any of the old Harryhausen (misspelled, I'm pretty sure) flicks with a moderately arid setting. Ben-Hur I honestly don't have as much use for Gladiator... The bits in North Africa are useful, but otherwise it feels more 'western" than I see Athas...
#19 dawnstealer Dec 21, 2003 11:31:50	Gladiator's useful in the themes it presents. Slavery is a part of life and no one has a problem with a powerful general becoming a slave. Keep in mind through the whole movie, he's not fighting for freedom, he's fighting to take down a tyrant. The fact that he's become a slave is just a detriment to that goal. Gladiator is a great movie to get into the mindset that "slavery's okay because everyone is doing it." I've found that's one of the hardest things to instill in the players: the sense of fatalism and not rising above your station.
#20 zombiegleemax Dec 21, 2003 12:02:54	Not a great movie, but "The Scorpion King" felt a bit Dark Sun-like. Sand, burly guys with swords, mean kings, and such...
#21 zombiegleemax Dec 21, 2003 12:55:41	Two things. I agree with Go Tell the Spartans, which I've always thought was one of the great Viet Nam movies. I don't know why its not as popular as some others. I was going to put it down myself. Its based off of the Spartans and the battle against the Persians at Thermopylae. Great for getting the flavor of the desperation of overwhelming odds, among other themes. Also, it has Marc Singer in it... can't go wrong with the Beastmaster around, right? Speaking about tribal movies, check out Pasolini's "Medea." Tons of images to cull for a DarkSun game.
#22 zombiegleemax Dec 21, 2003 14:27:26	Medea was one of my favorite plays. Also, there is a comic book called Race of Scorpions. It came out about 14 years ago. It is a post-modern society living on a desert world. It has a lot of Dark Sun themes, slaves, nobles and a unique form of execution called planting. A person is buried up to his neck in sand and left there to die. Very unpleasant and a high templar, who failed, meets that fate. In Time Bandits, the scence with Sean Connery as a greek King, is very Dark Sun. His city was rather unique.
#23 zombiegleemax Dec 21, 2003 17:59:43	Oh, another one - again, not a great movie, but the recent version of "The Time Machine" featured the Eloi, a group of strange primitives who lived on cliffs. Sorta reminded me of the Windriders of the Jagged Cliffs...
#24 zombiegleemax Dec 21, 2003 22:48:08	Oh, another one - again, not a great movie, but the recent version of "The Time Machine" featured the Eloi, a group of strange primitives who lived on cliffs. Sorta reminded me of the Windriders of the Jagged Cliffs... That whole stint in the movie seemed like it would have a nice place on Athas as a little plug-in style small scale region.
#25 zombiegleemax Jan 02, 2004 21:01:43	The original Planet of the Apes
#26 zombiegleemax Jan 14, 2004 12:33:00	Since you said it could be just part of a movie, I would have to say, the arena scenes in Episode 2 Attack of the Clones. Those animals could have been lifted from the Dark Sun Monster Manual. And since we are going for FLAVOR, here are some very UNdesert-like movies that I can see as having that "certain something"... Les Miserables. You can't beat a fight against the Establishment in which almost everyone dies for that good ole' Dark Sun flavor. The innkeeper and his wife (whose names I cannot remember at this time) are the absolute best. Come to think of it...Victor hugo could write for Dark Sun, just turn Paris into a desert and there you go. Hunchback of Notre Dame. (the book, not the Disney) Instead of being accused of being a witch by a priest, Esmerelda is accused of being a Defiler by a Templar... The Matrix, if you take out the part about it all being virtual reality. The Count of Monte Cristo, I love a good revenge story, don't you? The Scarlet Pimpernel A lot of Shakespeare would do, mainly the Tragedies, of course, but maybe a comedy or two Romeo and Juliet Othello Macbeth, especially Macbeth The Tempest But you have to dig deeper to see the Flavor in some of these than you would on a good desert yarn. Les Miserables would have to be my favorite. I even used it as an example of what the world is like to a friend. "Just put it in a desert..."
#27 zombiegleemax Jan 19, 2004 19:28:35	I agree with all of you, My main Character has a Beastmaster like ability and Persona. Nothing comes close like the Scorpion King to Dark Sun though. Watched it twice this weekend
#28 overelemental Jan 21, 2004 22:44:07	Oh man, blood of heroes was my favourite movie in elementary school. Watched it and played speedball 2 all the time :p Haven't seen it in ages, and can't find any dvdshops that ship it here for free
#29 nytcrawlr Jan 21, 2004 22:46:49	Originally posted by overelemental Oh man, blood of heroes was my favourite movie in elementary school. Watched it and played speedball 2 all the time :p Glad to know that I am not the only one that likes it and has seen it.
#30 zombiegleemax Jan 22, 2004 0:29:03	Originally posted by megamania The original Planet of the Apes The new one had an Athasian feel too. The ape city was interesting. In the original Planet of the Apes, my favorite scene was right after he landed to when he discovered the apes. It seems so peaceful. Episode 2 Attack of the Clones I thought that too. The arena was soo Dark Sun like.
#31 Capn_Charlie Jan 25, 2004 20:03:03	id everyone miss Gor? Sure it wasn't all that good, but my maxim is that I would rather watch a bad fantasy movie than a good drama or comedy.
#32 nytcrawlr Jan 25, 2004 22:33:10	Originally posted by Capn Charlie id everyone miss Gor? Still trying to find those movies.
#33 zombiegleemax Jan 26, 2004 1:30:46	Errr . . . you may want to stay away from Gorr anyhow, unless Mystery Science Theater 3k does a little spoofy fun with it. It really was that bad. I'd rather sit through a tennie-bopper chick flick than endure that one again (almost).
#34 Kamelion Jan 26, 2004 2:56:07	Gor was so bad I forgot all about it! But you also reminded me of "Yor, Hunter of the Future", which was even worse and also very Dark Sun in flavour. Well, until the spaceships turned up, that is...
#35 Capn_Charlie Jan 26, 2004 3:34:33	Gor wasn't good. I am the first to admit that. But any movie with a halfling thief, scantily clad slave girl knife fights, and swords can't be all that bad. Look at deathstalker.
#36 zombiegleemax Jan 26, 2004 8:41:25	Kamelion: "Well, until the spaceships turned up, that is..." ... GAH!!! The SPACE HALFLING INVASION!!!!!!!
#37 dawnstealer Jan 26, 2004 11:24:57	This is beginning to sound like a collection of horrendous movies from the early 70s and 80s. I'd like to watch Gor again like I'd want to have an elephant trample my .
#38 dawnstealer Jan 26, 2004 11:26:26	I can't say Test Icles? What the?! Okay, nuts then. Trample my nuts. Sheesh, so much for free speech. I guess "ovaries" are out, too?
#39 nytcrawlr Jan 26, 2004 11:28:58	God Damned Censors.
#40 Kamelion Jan 26, 2004 12:10:36	... GAH!!! The SPACE HALFLING INVASION!!!!!!! My new ploy to avoid the lightning-bolt contingencies: get someone else to shout about them ;) Thankfully "Ator the Fighting Eagle" (and the rest of the Blademaster series) have no DS flavour whatsoever. Nope. Not a sausage. Sorry, Miles... Mustn't forget "Hideous Kinky" - not even a fantasy film but set in North Africa. Lots of nice desert stuff. Hippies too, but no surfboards. A few quick hits: The Mystics colony in "Dark Crystal", and Augra's observatory - very Nibenese. "Treasure Planet" has a wonderfully villainous kreen (although the movie is more for the spelljammers among us...) That Tattooine place is kinda cool. Can't remember where it's from...
#41 zombiegleemax Jan 26, 2004 12:15:06	Spartacus. Ben-Hur.
#42 nytcrawlr Jan 26, 2004 12:17:34	Originally posted by Kamelion Mustn't forget "Hideous Kinky" Sounds like a Ron Jeremy porno flick. A few quick hits: The Mystics colony in "Dark Crystal", and Augra's observatory - very Nibenese. Dark Crystal rules, I need to check that out again, been too long. That Tattooine place is kinda cool. Can't remember where it's from... Blasphemer.
#43 dawnstealer Jan 28, 2004 13:02:35	Star "something-or-other," I believe. I tend to gravitate towards the classics, too, Xlor. Sparticus, especially. For those who haven't seen this classic, it's about a (true) gladiator uprising that happened to the Roman Empire. The most Dark Sun-y aspect of the entire thing, in my opinion, is the ending. I have actually used that exact ending on my players (who haven't seen the movie) when they rose up against Hamanu. Heh. I'm such a bastard.
#44 nytcrawlr Jan 28, 2004 13:05:51	/me adds Sparticus to his netflix queue
#45 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Jan 28, 2004 13:47:29	Originally posted by Dawnstealer Star "something-or-other," I believe. I tend to gravitate towards the classics, too, Xlor. Sparticus, especially. That wasn't me. to make life a little easier for people here, I've changed my avatar again, so that there would be less confusing my posts with other people's. But yea, I do like pretty much all the movies that have been listed so far.
#46 dawnstealer Jan 28, 2004 15:43:16	My mistake, credit to Cole.
#47 zombiegleemax Jan 29, 2004 3:38:31	I believe its Star Journeys.. or Star Trek, something like that.. yeah, that's it.. NytCrawlr (or should I say Kurt?).. add that Sparticus to your netflix. Can't go wrong with a Kubrick film (or maybe half wrong, since he half directed it...) To Cole Deschain - Harryhausen? I'm afraid I've only seen 'Jason and the Argonaughts' and 'Clash of the Titans'.. Shame on me! I agree with 'Go Tell the Spartans' but I think the second Mad Max movie reflects Darksun better than the III... (I mean, if you're going to have Tina Turner running around, then you really should have the Goblin King there as well!) Ral of Tyr: 'Time Bandits,' YES! Terry Gilliam is a genius. Besides, that scene with Connery reminds me of Pasolini's 'Medea' (those who haven't seen it, find it, no matter what!) To Cole and Dawnstealer: I have to agree with Cole here, I don't really think Gladiator is much of a movie. Visually, of course, its stunning, and I enjoyed watching it. However, I found its views on slavery a bit shallow.. Gr8Scott: Which beg the question, why does Brendan Fraser insist on doing such horrid films. 'Gods and Monsters' was brilliant. Why, Brendan? Why!? Nyt and overelemental: As for 'Blood of Heroes,' looks like I'll have to check it out.. heck, if Edward Norton's in it, Its gotta be good, right? CaffeineGenasi: Yes, In particular, I enjoyed the 1998 version of 'Les Misrables,' directed by Bille August and featuring none other than Liam Neeson and Claire Danes. Shamefully, i must admit that I've never actually read any Hugo.... Kamelion: "Doh! I'll get you kamelion, if its the last thing I do!!!" Here's a shout out to NytCrawlr; gotta love the 'Dark Crystal.' I've always thought of the Mystic Masters when I think of Psionics and is there any other filmic creation that captures the essence of aarakocra better than the Skeksis!? I ask you!
#48 zombiegleemax Jan 29, 2004 7:32:12	Okay, I gotta plug out for Dark Crystal as well. I've used and abused aspects of that movie so many times its not even funny (but was only caught once by a canny player). If there's any movie that I've watched way too many times, this is it. Which beg the question, why does Brendan Fraser insist on doing such horrid films. ACK! I think the question should be, why does Hollywood employ such terrible actors like Brendan Fraser (sp?). Gods and Monsters was a wonderful flick, but that was due far more to the rest of the cast than Brenden. I think the kid ruined the Mummy (I could barely watch the 2nd, and have yet to see Scorpion King). Sorry for the rant. Thankfully "Ator the Fighting Eagle" (and the rest of the Blademaster series) have no DS flavour whatsoever. Nope. Not a sausage. Sorry, Miles... If your refering to Miles O'keif, the grand star of many extremely lo budget fantasy flicks of the early 80s, Mystery Science Theater 3k did do a wonderful spoof of one of his flicks. Can't remember which one exactly. If your going to sit through one of his films, at least this way its entertaining ;).
#49 Kamelion Jan 29, 2004 9:16:36	If your refering to Miles O'keif, the grand star of many extremely lo budget fantasy flicks of the early 80s, Mystery Science Theater 3k did do a wonderful spoof of one of his flicks. Can't remember which one exactly. If your going to sit through one of his films, at least this way its entertaining The very same! He is da man. Giant rubber spiders of the world beware!!
#50 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Jan 29, 2004 13:05:30	Originally posted by Mach2.5 ACK! I think the question should be, why does Hollywood employ such terrible actors like Brendan Fraser (sp?). Gods and Monsters was a wonderful flick, but that was due far more to the rest of the cast than Brenden. I think the kid ruined the Mummy (I could barely watch the 2nd, and have yet to see Scorpion King). Sorry for the rant. Worst Brendan Fraisier movie I have ever seen would be 'The Passion of Darkly Noon". It stars Brendan, as well as Viggo Mortenson (also known as Aragorn in LotR) and Ashley Judd (the thin one). Now, in my defense, I saw those names, and had hoped that there might be some redeeming quality to the movie (even if it is only the possibility of some partial nudity from Ashley Judd). There is nothing. Absolutly not a thing that redeems this film. It is like a train wreck, and once you start, you can't stop watching it, mostly in the hope that you might find that non-existant redeeming quality to the movie. All in all, "Darkly Noon" is the worst movie I have ever seen. I don't even recommend it for people I don't like to watch.
#51 nytcrawlr Jan 29, 2004 13:29:20	Originally posted by Zeitgeistgeist NytCrawlr (or should I say Kurt?).. Heh add that Sparticus to your netflix. Can't go wrong with a Kubrick film (or maybe half wrong, since he half directed it...) Agreed, Kubrick is da bomb. I think out of all his movies I liked Clockwork Orange the best, mainly because it was so bizzare. Nyt and overelemental: As for 'Blood of Heroes,' looks like I'll have to check it out.. heck, if Edward Norton's in it, Its gotta be good, right? Damn, don't remember seeing him in there! Guess I will have to watch it again soonly. I agree though, Norton is one of my favorite actors, at least on the top ten. Here's a shout out to NytCrawlr; gotta love the 'Dark Crystal.' I've always thought of the Mystic Masters when I think of Psionics and is there any other filmic creation that captures the essence of aarakocra better than the Skeksis!? I ask you! Agreed. Another I need to add to my collection soonly.
#52 nytcrawlr Jan 29, 2004 13:30:23	Originally posted by Kamelion The very same! He is da man. Giant rubber spiders of the world beware!! And I thought *I* was a movie freak. /me bows before the masters of Mach and Kamelion
#53 Kamelion Jan 29, 2004 14:52:10	And I thought *I* was a movie freak. /me bows before the masters of Mach and Kamelion See? I knew it wasn't all wasted time ;) You can see him in that Tarzan movie with Bo Derek too. He fights a giant rubber snake. Awesome.
#54 zombiegleemax Jan 29, 2004 14:59:07	The very same! He is da man. Giant rubber spiders of the world beware!! :bounce: I just wanna know: Where the heck did he get the hanglider?
#55 Kamelion Jan 29, 2004 15:11:32	LOL! It's been, like, almost 20 years since I saw that movie and the hang-glider is as fresh as yesterday. Sheer movie magic Yor has one too, but it's made from a dead pterodactyl. I was thrilled when I first saw the picture of the cliff glider in Dragon Kings and went round telling all my buddies it was clearly inspired by the genre-shaping "Yor, Hunter of the Future" film. Nobody had a clue what I was talking about
#56 dawnstealer Jan 29, 2004 15:53:30	My favorite was the "Spider's Web" in Ator. If you look carefully enough, you can see a bouey they left in the "Web." Good stuff.
#57 nytcrawlr Jan 29, 2004 16:58:12	Man, I need to hunt down some of these movies, I haven't heard of any of them. Clearly I am missing out on some great B fun! lol
#58 zombiegleemax Jan 29, 2004 20:40:52	well the first on any way. It does start out in a snow enviroment but there are still a lot of similar theams. One, the value of steel weapons "the riddle of steel". Conan as a gladiator and seeing what his master does for him gives a good idea of what a sucsesful gladiator in a city-state could hope for. Conan has a good line about the stink inside of a walled city not being able to get out because no wind gets in (Ramm anyone)! The weapons the gladiators used in the first part of the movie have a very DS feel to them and if I remember correctly there armor does too. If nothing else the soundtrack has some pretty good music for background music when you role play.