Wicked Spring

gary · #1 05-17-2004, 02:48 AM

OK, I'm not a reenactor (so I'm no stitch nazi when it comes to accuracy). Saw the movie Wicked Spring. It's about a Union man who joins Lincoln's army and a Confederate who joins the Rebs. In the confusing battle of the Wilderness, the two (along with their comrades) meet in the dark and agree to a truce. They learn the like one another but meet a tragic fate when the battle renews the next day.

The Battle of the Wilderness is well portrayed with respects to the difficulty of seeing anything, the isolation some troops felt when fighting (thanks to the dense foliage), the confusion of the battle and the ease with which one becomes disoriented with the noise, fighting, and smoke. However, the movie focuses on two individuals who during the course of the night find respect for each other.

Not at all unusual as impromptu truces were arranged all the time and trading would commence (tobacco for coffee, newspapers, etc.). While not a movie of the magnitude of Gettysburg (which I like) or Gods and Generals (which I dislike), it's certainly brings an "individual" perspective of the war to the viewer.

johan_steele · #2 05-17-2004, 09:45 AM

I haven't seen it, though I know several re-enactors who praise it. I too had little praise for Gods n Generals, but then again I was't all that impressed w/ Gettysburg either. Don't worry Gary, not all re-enactors are stitch nazis.

In fact there really are about four different catagories: Cowboys (an insult to even the mainstream crowd or also known as a four letter word short for "Far be it from me to question his impression") Mainstreamers (the average run of the mill re-enactor who notes that it is a hobby) Progressives (those who are trying to constantly improve their impression through all aspects and have perhaps decided it's a bit more than just a hobby) and Hardcore C/P/H crowd (It's a way of life!)

The plus side is that very few true stitch nazi's exist, but unfortunately they tarnish the whole hardcore crowd.

hardtack61 · #3 11-18-2004, 11:57 PM

Shane,
I wouldnt call myself a stitch nazi but i do care very highly for the right gear and right attitude(most important) which many streamers dont have... alot of them think that all c/p/h are all stitch nazis!Well NOT TRUE! I do argree with you that reenacting right is a way of life for us c/p/h.I have many mainstream/progressive friends and they see what c/p/h people are doing and they learn from it! I think that many streamers tell new people coming into the hobby that we are a bunch of stitch nazis.. I am far from it! I have many friends that are and wont come out right and say man your a ••••! but then i do have friends that do! Its a free country..haha\
just my thoughts

johan_steele · #4 11-19-2004, 09:08 AM

Waylon, I have met and fallen in w/ several C/P/H units over the years. Most are pretty good folks. I have met a few of the stitch nazis too and frankly they stain the whole C/P/H crowd by calling themselves hardcore etc. Mainstream runs the gammut, some calling themselves mainstream only because they prefer the the powder burning of the large scale re-enactments over smaller more realistic events to the otherside of the spectrum of the outright unsafe cowboy crowd.

THe "stitch nazi" crowd seems to be a relatively small percentage of the C/P/H crowd just as the cowboy element is in the mainstream community. Not everyone who isn't in the C/P/H community is a •••• and I should hope that you have been in the field enough to know that. With experiance comes maturity and generally an improvement of the impression. No matter how good someone thinks their kit and impression, it will improve over time.

Many people in the re-enacting community, myself included consider the term •••• the height of insult. I have even seen a fight break out over the term being thrown about like candy which is part of the reason it is a term on the swear filter. The other reason is that there is no set definition of the term and is often used simply to denote someone you don't like or even someone not in the C/P/H community.

One thing nice about this board, no matter how much you think you know it is very easy to learn something new. And the community is such that people aren't derided for not knowing it.

As a mod I would appreciate it if you would and Josh would both show the same courtesy you are required to on the AC. This is not a site only for the Authentic or authentic leaning crowd in fact it isn't a site solely for re-enactors and Living Historians but for all w/ an interest in the Civil War and the men and women who suffered through it.

sockknitter · #5 11-19-2004, 01:47 PM

Here's input from a total non reenactor; in other words a member of the general public who is very interested in this war. I have a comment and a question.

I've seen Wicked Spring twice by rental. Its story was fine; I thought the acting, costumes, music and sets were fine. Possibly because I don't have excellent hearing, I had trouble with the sound. I would watch the movie again.

Honestly I don't know what C/P/H means in regard to reenacting. Would somebody please clarify that? I understand "stitch Nazi" (funny) and what the F word is. I am not trying to stir up trouble. I honestly don't know and would like to add to my knowledge. Thanks.

hardtack61 · #6 11-19-2004, 05:02 PM

hey,
c/p/h
campaigner/progressive/hardcore

sockknitter · #7 11-19-2004, 06:42 PM

Thank you, sir.