The 1975 film The Wind and the Lion is very popular among my wargaming friends, so I thought I would host a game based on the final battle. I used Fistful of Lead Bigger Battles rules. The game started with 63 mounted Berbers charging the fortified village. In the film, set in 1903, the Moroccan Bashir is supported by Germans in spiked helmets. They are holding the Raisuli, a Berber brigand, played by Sean Connery, prisoner. Just to complicate things, a detachment of US Marines, along with Mrs. Pedecaris, who had been the prisoner of the Raisuli but is now in love with him, have freed the Raisuli and are fighting the Bashir's bodyguard and the Germans. It's all complete nonsense, historically.
Two of the four players had never seen the film, but, without coaching, the game developed a narrative that was close to that of the film. In the end, The Berber horsemen, loyal to the Raisuli were able to triumph over the Germans and the Bashir's bodyguard.
A great movie! Couple of years ago I bought it again since my earlier copy (DVD) seemed lost. Amazing how Sean was fit to cast roles in all those parts of the world. The very mixed brew of (toy)soldiers types, is appealing from the very first minutes. Games by Jamie Delson have the same boy-ish character. Nicely done. Love to watch and read it.
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