Swashbuckling Thought of the Day: 2026-07-31

A few months ago, I watched Men of Sherwood Forest (the first Robin Hood movie from Hammer Films) for the first time, and though I intended to write a review immediately, I didn't, and now I remember nothing about it. So, I need to watch it again, despite it having failed to leave any impression, in order to write a review for my hapless swashbuckling blog. I may have a few more free days in August, which will free me to write this review for free. You are free to read it and you are free to comment on it if you feel the inclination.

And that is this month's Swashbuckling Thought of the Day. (Sorry.)

Maybe I'll hold the movie in higher regard after a second viewing. (It's a possibility!)

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2026-06-30

Lately, I've been watching The Buccaneers (1956-1957), a British television show from the same studio that produced The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Adventures of Sir Lancelot. I just watched the seventh episode, "The Slave Ship," and I must say the show is getting better and better. I must find it on DVD or Blu-ray, if possible. So far, I'm enjoying it, and I look forward to reviewing it.

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2026-05-10

In a previous thought, I noted the scarcity of swashbuckling blogs and my intention to search for more. After another moderately long search, I am left unrewarded. Using the terms "swashbuckling" and "blog," the majority of results by far consist of definitions of the word "swashbuckling" and old news items in which someone refers to someone as a "swashbuckler." Links to actual blogs about swashbuckling are rare indeed. Six of the eight blogs in my blogroll haven't been updated in a year or more. Wake up, swashbucklers! Blog for a bit!

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2026-04-27

I realize it may seem that I dislike swashbuckling movies based on the last however many reviews I've written, but I assure you I greatly enjoy great (and even slightly less than great) swashbuckling movies. The problem is that swashbuckling was once a hugely popular genre, and, like anything, only a fraction of that number was actually good. Now, you could ask me why I don't just review the movies I consider good and leave the rest to molder as they deserve. To which I answer: I am on a journey of discovery. Many of these movies I am watching for the first time. I do not know what I will like or dislike until I have watched them. If I dislike a movie, should I not at least give my readers a fair warning? If nothing else, it contributes to the overall picture of the history of swashbuckling in cinema. There are highs and lows. Lately, it may have resembled a whirlpool, but I promise there are calm waves and fair winds ahead. Eventually.

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2025-08-30

In a previous thought, I contemplated utilizing tiddlywinks for a swashbuckling game. Now, I am thinking how apropos it would be to incorporate a rapid card-based combat mini-system in a swashbuckling role-playing game. I know of one role-playing game (Lace & Steel) that uses special fencing cards, but I've never actually played nor seen it. What I have in mind would involve quick, vigorous gameplay using either special cards or ordinary playing cards. Is it doable? Could it be adapted to any game; or would it have to be tailored to a specific system? That's what I'm pondering in late August.

If anyone knows where I can find an affordable copy of Lace & Steel, please leave a comment.

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2024-05-31

Yes, I am taking liberty with temporal reality by setting the date of this article as 31 May 2024 when I am composing it on 1 June 2024, but I intended to post it yesterday, so I am travelling back in time and posting it yesterday. Because the subject of today's (yesterday's) thought is Renegade Nell.

When I last wrote about Renegade Nell, I mentioned my uncertainty as to whether it could be classified as swashbuckling three episodes into the series. After finishing the series, I can confidently state that I am still uncertain. If I were to assign it a more accurate category, it would probably be something like "folkloric superhero tall tale" or "swashbuckling fairytale" or "period action fantasy." Stunts are plentiful, and heroic regard for the downtrodden is a major theme, but magic is very prominent and swordplay is scarce. I found it enjoyable as its own thing, but it didn't quite scratch the swashbuckling itch. As I mentioned before, though, it is still far superior to this version of Zorro.

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2024-04-18

I have watched three episodes of Renegade Nell, a fantasy adventure on Disney+ about a highwaywoman with supernatural abilities in England in 1705, and I am not sure if it qualifies as belonging to the swashbuckling genre, but I am sure about three things: it has the spirit of a good swashbuckling tale; I'll continue to watch it; and it's far, far better than this year's version of Zorro (q.v.).

Bonus: It stars Louisa Harland, who played Orla McCool in Derry Girls.

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2024-03-13

This is more of a status report on upcoming television reviews than a swashbuckling thought, but "Status Report" seemed a bit too ostentatious to put in the title. So, here's the status report.

I have watched about two-thirds of the second season of Disney's Zorro from the 1950s, and after a few episodes of Cesar Romero chaos, it seems to have regained its composure. I've reduced the frequency of my viewing to about one episode per week, though, so I probably won't post a review until early summer.

I have watched half of the first season of the new Zorro in Spanish, which I had eagerly anticipated, but its execution has left me less enthusiastic. I am rarely in a mood to watch it now. It feels more like a chore. I have no idea when I will feel motivated to finish it and review it.

All but one of my old swashbuckling reviews from Cuparius.com have now been posted in Theoretical Swashbuckling. The exception is my review of the 2001 British made-for-television movie, Princess of Thieves (starring Keira Knightley). Honestly, I don't think it qualifies as an actual review, and I have decided not to post a review until I have watched it again. It may have disappointed me at the time, but I wish to be fair in my assessment of it. First, however, I need to find a way to re-watch it. [Edit: I found it on YouTube here. My review of it is here.]

Other than that, I shall continue to post new reviews of swashbuckling movies and television shows (new and old) as Fortune permits.

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2023-08-26

Having recently finished the first season of Zorro (the Disney television show from the 1950s), I intended to write a review of it and update it after watching the second season, but I decided to wait until I've finished the entire series (minus the later television movies, which are currently unavailable). I watched the first episode of Season 2 yesterday, and it appears the quality did not suffer. The seasons are long, though, and I'm not sure when I'll reach the end. Patience, my friends.

Z

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2023-02-28

I just had an absurd idea for a swashbuckling game utilizing tiddlywinks. I have always maintained that in any gaming medium a swashbuckling game ought to emphasize action, and tiddlywinks is a dexterity game, which literally requires action, so... I must further ponder this.

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2021-01-31

Of the many sources of swashbuckling inspiration, are any quite as neglected as the animated shorts that appeared on The Banana Splits Adventure Hour? I am speaking, of course, of The Three Musketeers and Arabian Knights. These were amongst my earliest exposure to swashbuckling adventure, and I would like to revisit them to see if they hold up at all to my fond memories of them. I hope they get released in a format I can access whilst I'm still in the mortal realm. It would be a good subject for Theoretical Swashbuckling.

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2020-11-30

At a time of reduced socializing, I find myself wishing I had more swashbuckling games that lend themselves to solitaire play. I'm not sure I own any, but this would be a good time to to search for them or, if none of quality can be found, make my own. Hm...

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2020-07-31

One of these days, I'll do an extensive search for interesting swashbuckling blogs and include them in the blogroll I call "Dispatches." These needn't be gaming-oriented, although swashbuckling games are a particular interest of mine. I confess I am surprised and nonplussed by the scarcity of such.

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2020-06-30

One of my interests is puppetry. I make puppets, construct portable stages, write puppet plays, and, when I get the opportunity, perform. It is strange that I've never, until now, given serious thought to creating a swashbuckling puppet play. It's been done before. Puppeteers have been performing Orlando Furioso for centuries. Perhaps it is time I explored the genre in my own puppetry. Ah, the possibilities!

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2020-05-31

A swashbuckling game ought to resolve combat in a quick and entertaining fashion. If the players can't feel the flurry of action and fly by the seat of their pants as it were, then what is the point of pretending to swashbuckle? If every combat scene is a dull recitation of modifiers and the flipping of pages to find relevant rules, where is the actual swashbuckling? Is it only in the character monologues? If ever there was a genre in which the combat should flow, then surely this is the one!

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2020-03-31

A swashbuckling game ought to be flavorful. It ought to transport one to another time and place, heighten the drama, quicken the pace. It ought to stir the imagination, inspire herioc action, but also provide for romantic interaction (one of the greatest motivations in swashbuckling fiction). Dare I say that swashbuckling, even as a game, ought to aspire to the poetic and not just the name?

Swashbuckling Thought of the Day 2020-02-29

If a swashbuckling game doesn't reward you for accomplishing dangerous deeds, or it actively discourages (or prevents) you from attempting them, then I don't think that game is a worthwhile emulator of the genre. Ideally, a swashbuckling game ought to facilitate and encourage derring-do, and not force players to endure a slog of monotonous activities and extended incompetence.

If ye cannot handle a sword, do not bear one.