"Hatfields and McCoys on the History Channel " Topic

Watched the first episode of three last night, The Hatfields and McCoys is definitely the best real history, that the History Channel has had to offer in a long, long, long time. Certainly some good skirmish gaming ideas there as well … Worth watching … Some things I had to Google, Battle of Droop Hill 1863, West VA and Camp Chase Confederate POW Camp in Columbus, OH. Cemetary is still there … and supposedly haunted … Again worth watching … And I learned a few things. Good view of country(Hillbilly) life during that time period in small town USA … Showing Part 1 again before Part 2 today …

I think they are doing a good job of showing that the feud was not based on a single act, but was the cumulative affect of many things that built up over time.

ACK! Cable-challenged here, have to wait for it to go on sale. How fast does the History Channel push things out for common consumption?

I always thought Hatfiled vs McCoys would make good skirmish gamming.

The History Channel is usually pretty good about offering DVD's within a few weeks after their initial broadcasts. Nice that they're finally getting back to doing…history.

They sure went and did pretty well in the casting. Granted most are past the "prime" of their film careers but they sure did a good job rounding up some well know names for a made for TV movie/mini series.

Already commented and gave a mini-review in the thread posted earlier on this same topic:

TMP link

The DVD goes on sale on the HC website July 31st

I agree with your comments axabrax. Didn't see that thread or I would have not started this one on the ACW Media board. Didn't think it would be posted on the Old West Board … I live in NE Ohio … we don't consider West VA … West !!

It sort of defies classification. Geographically it sure isn't "the west" but it mostly takes place in the 1870s, so hard to call it "ACW" either. I think maybe "The Old West" works as a genre considering the costumes, guns, and motifs.

Well I like it -- and the good thing is it will make go look for a book -- you see, I am that way -- if something sparks my interest -- I look for a book --or books -- novel isn't it? any good suggestions?
Regards
Russ Dunaway

The other thing is they have a habit of re-showing on weekends and all together after the initial run. I wanted to see it but forgot it was on.

Does this mean Russ that we can expect a new range of 1880-90s characters for some backwoods skirmish games. Be nice. I need some to do the fighting in the 20s in the same area between the miners and the mine owners. Largest civil unrest and fighting ever in the US. You know things are bad when the Air Force drops bombs on its own citizens.

"when the Air Force drops bombs on its own citizens."

Do you have a link to an online article about this? I saw Sayles' Matewan but don't know any more than that.

Well, it's only Wikipedia, but: link

Trust me ---It has already crossed my mind?????
regards
Russ Dunaway

Thanks to Blair mountain we have the term redneck. The miners wore red bandannas as a uniform, while the opposing side wore white ones. Many miners were WWI vets and had combat experience.

I liked it until the tired, old Montagu-Capulet forbidden love of young people started. Yawn.

Too bad they didn't use the actual music of the mountains.

I see your point axabrax … But us Yankees have a hard time considering Good Old Boys from W VA and KY … cowboys !!! LOL !!! @ Bede – From what I have gleamed "historically" Johnse Hatfield had quite "a way with the ladies" … And after Roseanne, he moved on to Nancy McCoy … so I guess that's what happened, Shakespeare not withstanding …

Looks like it was filmed in Romania. It passes fairly well for EKY/WV. Too bad though, the area could have used the money generated form mking the film there. Great economic boost HC. Maybe they will film the next Vlad in Bluefield. Still, I am watching and liking the series.

I remember another ACW era movie being filmed there with Nicole Kidman and Judd Law, IIRC. Can't remember the name of the movie though ? I agree that region in the USA certainly could use the money …

Yeah … it was filmed in Romania … link … too bad …

During the second episode there were 13 killings. Three of them were the McCoys boy which are true. One after happened but in a different way. All the others never happened. In all 12 people died in the feud. So far, the miniseries has it up to 15. Historically, another four should die. So how many actually will die tonight?

Cold Mountain was the Law/Kidman ACW flick.

Doc Watson just passed away. They should have used some of his music. youtu.be/qyQOCJ4SUSk
Well, at least they didn't use Rpmanian music…

The series isn't terrible, but not great either. I'm not going to skip my Tai Chi class tonight to see episode 3.

My prdeiction: bang bang, ka-pow, followed by portentous, pretentious voice-over about how we can all live together…

I dont think we will get the voice over talking about living together. I think after the trail, it just sort of winds down and people get on with their lives. Like most things,time lets things be forgotten and people can pretend it never happened.

It would be great if OG made a few packs, would make up for not doing the Wild Bunch. I have done games based on Matewan, not the mass battle but the street fight at the end of the movie.

I am thinking that Song of Drums and Shakos would be just great for the Hatfields and McCoys and Flying Lead for the 1920's labor battles. There are lots of figures for the latter. I do not know what to use for the HaC battles.

There was even a battle tonight. Battle of Grapevine Creek. Lots of shooting and dynamite being thrown, and hardly anyone getting hit. Lots of powder smoke from all the firing made it one big confused mess. Perfect for a convention game.

Bob what figures do you use for the 1921 Blair Mountain battle. I am looking for something in 15mm. Also has anyone done the Colorado Coal Field Wars? Just need an armored car with a machinegun in it.

I haven't seen it yet, but I agree music from the region would have been nice. The promos with the modern rock soundtrack weren't really inspiring even though I like the cast and topic.

Yes, that was it, Cold Mountain … again too bad they couldn't have filmed it in the US … regardless, it was entertaining … Saw last episode last night, will certainly watch it again … A lot of saddeness, death after death … a real American tragedy …

They can't film period pieces in the US cause there would be a fast food joint in every shot… also there are no more mountains in West Virginia they've removed them all. On the Cold Mountain DVD they talk about how nice it is to go to places like Romania and film a period movie where there isn't a Starbucks on every corner.

I thought it was a fantastic mini series.

That is probably very true … I know there is a fight to keep many ACW battlefields intact and not become victims of urban sprawl, etc. … so Romania is the next best thing …

The WV/KY border has plenty of locations that you have to drive 45 minutes to find a McDonalds let alone a Starbuck's. That's big city coffee, I think the closest one's up in Ashland or in Bluefield. I am sure strip mining has changed the landscape since the 19th century and some of the monutaintops are gone, but there are still plenty of wild places. They tried to make it too Western looking though. They weren't the range war bunch and it wouldn't have hurt to use period music and more mules than horses. Still I enjoyed it a lot and maybe they will do similar series in the future.

I will admit with working currently in Southern OH, West VA, Western PA and my time in the Army in KY, TN, VA, GA, AL, LA, etc. … there is a lot of wilderness out … Maybe Romania gave them a better deal than W VA and KY …

Just a heads up, the History Channel is showing a 2 hour documentary first then all 3 episodes tonight … So re-load boys and pass the corn squeez'ns !!!!

Some good information on this link and a "Family" Photo ! link