Known here in the US as Blood of Heroes.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Heroes-REGION-NTSC/dp/B00009MEBX
out on a limb...
Okay, first ever post after lurking for a LONG time...
Starblazers ~ Japanime from the early/mid 80s, toned down for American audiences... Traveller-esque not necessarily for overarching plot or tech (but there is a spinal mount weapon) but those great episodes where the clean, white-dressed crew of the Argo (based on the Japanese WWII vessel Yamamato; ie, Naval characters) have to deal with the contingent of brown-dressed, coarse and vulgar Space Marines attached to their ship for a while (ummm.... c'mon! Role-playing gold! Big Naval vessel supporting alien-moon-based armored actions.............)
They even had a Ship's Doctor who lost a limb in a boarding action (shown in America) but it was okay because we later found out he was an android/augmented (depending on your rules-set...)
The starship combat seemed to favor a lot of missiles, as they blew up quite dramatically; sometimes, in hindsight, I'd be tempted to say there were a lot of beam lasers in action... but they have a chemical feel and slowness to them... so, missiles... sorry working off faded memories here...
But I'll never forget, interpersonal relationships amongst the ship's crew were highly developed (jealousy, love, ultimate loss). Not sure if Mr. Miller's ideas hit the [real] world first (it is quite likely, I was just a kid at the time) but nonetheless they seem to be drawing from the same deep supercool well.
Oh, and there's also the episode where the big evil leader (EMPEROR Desslok) basically spaces one of his own high-ranking Admirals at a ship-board cocktail party with the cautionary murmur:
"I hate a man who laughs at his own jokes..."
How's that for Court/Moot-level machinations?
.
http://www.starblazers.com/html.php?page_id=225
Okay, first ever post after lurking for a LONG time...
Starblazers ~ Japanime from the early/mid 80s, toned down for American audiences... Traveller-esque not necessarily for overarching plot or tech (but there is a spinal mount weapon) but those great episodes where the clean, white-dressed crew of the Argo (based on the Japanese WWII vessel Yamamato; ie, Naval characters) have to deal with the contingent of brown-dressed, coarse and vulgar Space Marines attached to their ship for a while (ummm.... c'mon! Role-playing gold! Big Naval vessel supporting alien-moon-based armored actions.............)
They even had a Ship's Doctor who lost a limb in a boarding action (shown in America) but it was okay because we later found out he was an android/augmented (depending on your rules-set...)
The starship combat seemed to favor a lot of missiles, as they blew up quite dramatically; sometimes, in hindsight, I'd be tempted to say there were a lot of beam lasers in action... but they have a chemical feel and slowness to them... so, missiles... sorry working off faded memories here...
But I'll never forget, interpersonal relationships amongst the ship's crew were highly developed (jealousy, love, ultimate loss). Not sure if Mr. Miller's ideas hit the [real] world first (it is quite likely, I was just a kid at the time) but nonetheless they seem to be drawing from the same deep supercool well.
Oh, and there's also the episode where the big evil leader (EMPEROR Desslok) basically spaces one of his own high-ranking Admirals at a ship-board cocktail party with the cautionary murmur:
"I hate a man who laughs at his own jokes..."
How's that for Court/Moot-level machinations?
.
http://www.starblazers.com/html.php?page_id=225
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Just read through the whole thread, so if someone else already mentioned it, I apologize. I rather thought that the beginning of the Dune movie, with its nobles and spaceships reminded me of Traveller. Once they settle down on Dune and focus on that, it gets less so, since they aren't really "travelling" much.
And after reading the rest of the thread I'm seeing that various people can see at least a little Traveller in almost any sci-fi (many of the titles surprised me). I guess that makes sense since it was originally intended to be a "generic" sci-fi that you could do virtually anything in.
Overall though, Firefly still seems the most "classic Traveller" to me. I mean, crew of a small trader ship just trying to get by, taking jobs from whatever patrons they find. Even has a psionic character (that needs to hide). Just thrown in some FTL and aliens and you have your basic Traveller.
Oh yeah, and for the guy near the beginning that couldn't stand 15 minutes of it, neither could I (I mean they actually robbed a train for heaven's sake!). I avoided Firefly like the plague for years. Finally my roommate wore me down and I tried it out. If you can filter out the cowboy stuff, the plots are great, and the characters even better.
And after reading the rest of the thread I'm seeing that various people can see at least a little Traveller in almost any sci-fi (many of the titles surprised me). I guess that makes sense since it was originally intended to be a "generic" sci-fi that you could do virtually anything in.
Overall though, Firefly still seems the most "classic Traveller" to me. I mean, crew of a small trader ship just trying to get by, taking jobs from whatever patrons they find. Even has a psionic character (that needs to hide). Just thrown in some FTL and aliens and you have your basic Traveller.
Oh yeah, and for the guy near the beginning that couldn't stand 15 minutes of it, neither could I (I mean they actually robbed a train for heaven's sake!). I avoided Firefly like the plague for years. Finally my roommate wore me down and I tried it out. If you can filter out the cowboy stuff, the plots are great, and the characters even better.
There are definitely some good flicks and series out there. But I really want to address those people who were turned off from Firefly. I had much the same experience with it. I tuned into an episode and watched about 20 minutes of “Western in Space.” Turned it off and never looked back until about 3-4 years ago.
The entire series is available now and I will swear by it being one of the best TV series out there as well as being the most evocative of Traveller. In fact, it’s the reason that I got back into Traveller. The characters are exceptional and the acting/portrayal of them is something that really needs to be viewed over the progression of several episodes. After watching the series and realizing that there will be no more, you may empathize with how upset fans were.
The movie, Serenity, is a farewell to the fans. It doesn’t address a number of side-plots but does deal with some major moments that are part of the series. More, it was an excellent ending to the series. Considering the finality of several of the scenes, there is no way to look at it as anything other than a final episode. It’s more epic adventure and is really only a masterpiece if you know the series, the characters and the inside jokes. If you don't, it's just a good space flick.
Took me awhile but I figured out why Firefly is so evocative of Traveller. In the MGT book, there is a section about the “Traveller Game.” In it, the writer talks about how Traveller is about “People Doing Stuff.” Sure, you could hack into the computer using a sophisticated AI and never come in harm’s way… but that’s not Traveller. Something wrong with the ship… put on a vacc suit and grab a wrench. That’s the spirit of Traveller.
And that’s the spirit of Firefly. A crew, alone, hunted and trying unsuccessfully to be criminal masterminds but their consciences keep getting in the way. Trying to keep their ship in the sky on a limited budget and dodging trouble as best they can.
Another excellent series that no one has mentioned:
Space: Above and Beyond
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112173/
It’s a one season series about a war in space. The series is definitely inspired by WWII stories and follows a special forces group fighting against an “alien menace.” The stories themselves are about the unit, the horrors of war and combat stress. It was an excellent story but was cancelled after one season.
It has very little indication of the “Traveller” universe but is an excellent Mercenary/Space War series. Great acting and excellent hardware.
The entire series is available now and I will swear by it being one of the best TV series out there as well as being the most evocative of Traveller. In fact, it’s the reason that I got back into Traveller. The characters are exceptional and the acting/portrayal of them is something that really needs to be viewed over the progression of several episodes. After watching the series and realizing that there will be no more, you may empathize with how upset fans were.
The movie, Serenity, is a farewell to the fans. It doesn’t address a number of side-plots but does deal with some major moments that are part of the series. More, it was an excellent ending to the series. Considering the finality of several of the scenes, there is no way to look at it as anything other than a final episode. It’s more epic adventure and is really only a masterpiece if you know the series, the characters and the inside jokes. If you don't, it's just a good space flick.
Took me awhile but I figured out why Firefly is so evocative of Traveller. In the MGT book, there is a section about the “Traveller Game.” In it, the writer talks about how Traveller is about “People Doing Stuff.” Sure, you could hack into the computer using a sophisticated AI and never come in harm’s way… but that’s not Traveller. Something wrong with the ship… put on a vacc suit and grab a wrench. That’s the spirit of Traveller.
And that’s the spirit of Firefly. A crew, alone, hunted and trying unsuccessfully to be criminal masterminds but their consciences keep getting in the way. Trying to keep their ship in the sky on a limited budget and dodging trouble as best they can.
Another excellent series that no one has mentioned:
Space: Above and Beyond
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112173/
It’s a one season series about a war in space. The series is definitely inspired by WWII stories and follows a special forces group fighting against an “alien menace.” The stories themselves are about the unit, the horrors of war and combat stress. It was an excellent story but was cancelled after one season.
It has very little indication of the “Traveller” universe but is an excellent Mercenary/Space War series. Great acting and excellent hardware.
Ah, one of Leslie Neilson's early comedy moments when he delivers deadpan the command "all hands will wear side arms." :rofl:
hate to break it to you, but this movie wasn't meant to be a comedy.
It took me several reads to realize that you were implying something wrong with the above line.
To anyone with naval training, it should be perfectly logical when expecting boarding.
Movies are directed at general audiences, most of wich have never been closer to military experience than an armed forces day, veterans day, memorial day or 4th of july parade.
Stating the obvious (yes, I've had both navy and Coast guard training) is silly to us, but needs to be explaned to J.Q. Audience as if your talking to a child....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Neilson
At one point, almost half the men had prior service... about 1870 or so.... but Yes, I do understand the point... it just never occurred to me because of 4 years as a NJROTC cadet...
Now, if he'd said "All hands will wear short arms," That would have been hee-lar-ee-us... (Small arms and/or side arms are for using against the enemy. Short arms are for using upon the SO...)
Now, if he'd said "All hands will wear short arms," That would have been hee-lar-ee-us... (Small arms and/or side arms are for using against the enemy. Short arms are for using upon the SO...)
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One should note a conspicuous line from Wash said onboard Serenity in the pilot, as they blast away from the salvage site (in a very Travelleresque manner, btw); Wash says, "Hang on travelers."
If that ain't a nod from Whedon, I don't know ...
BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
For the post-WW2 generation, steeped in the stories of relatives who served (or were transported) aboard a military or merchant ship, and who watched lots of war movies & newsreels, and read nautical-oriented books in school (assigned reading, a lost concept in education), nearly everyone (even a ghetto-kid in NYC or Chicago) knew what the phrases "all hands" and "side arms" meant.
It never occurred to the writer, director, or actors that any explanation was needed.
It never occurred to the writer, director, or actors that any explanation was needed.
ThunderChilde
SOC-13
Another Anime reference for ship interiors on a tangent is Blue Sub Number 6.
It also has a tremendous soundtrack. I actually ordered it in both the OST and the other versions of it, awesome stuff. Jazzy theme.
It also has a tremendous soundtrack. I actually ordered it in both the OST and the other versions of it, awesome stuff. Jazzy theme.tim_manley
SOC-12
Not for any of my kids...I'm pushing kid #3 through the US public education system and they all get assigned reading... even in 4th & 5th grade. Now, do they do it or tell you? That's another story....
