Field of Battle

Field of Battle, Designed by Brent Oman and published by Piquet, Inc., the Field of Battle system stands as one of the most respected horse-and-musket wargaming frameworks of the modern tabletop era. Originating from the broader Piquet gaming philosophy, Field of Battle streamlined classic card-driven mechanics into a single, cohesive system that masterfully simulates command friction, the fog of war, and battle momentum without forcing players into exhaustive chart lookups or micromanagement. Across its three distinct iterations—from the original breakthrough 2006 release, through the refined 2011 second edition, to the polished 2020 third edition—the rulebook family has continually perfected its core sequence deck concept. By replacing rigid movement turns with dynamic card draws and initiative rolls, Field of Battle ensures that no two actions play out identically, offering a deeply atmospheric and unpredictable grand tactical experience that scales brilliantly for 6mm Seven Y...

Battle of the Brave (2004)

Battle of the Brave (2004)

Battle of the Brave: The Fall of Nouvelle-France

Directed by Jean Beaudin (Released: 2004)

Introduction: Set during the final years of French rule in North America, Battle of the Brave is a historical romance that plays out against the backdrop of the Seven Years War. While the central plot focuses on the star-crossed love between a peasant woman and an adventurer, the film’s true value for the historian lies in its portrayal of a colony abandoned by its mother country. It culminates in a sweeping depiction of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, where the fate of Canada was decided in a single, bloody morning.

Official YouTube Trailer

Historical Accuracy: The film captures the desperate atmosphere of 1759 remarkably well. From a wargaming perspective, seeing the French Regulars (Troupes de Terre) and the Compagnies Franches de la Marine in their white uniforms offers fantastic visual inspiration for painting 6mm units. The climactic battle sequence provides a visceral look at the "thin red line" vs the French columns, even if the cinematic scale is somewhat compressed. It also features a star-studded supporting cast, including Jason Isaacs as General Wolfe and Gérard Depardieu, which adds a certain gravitas to the historical vignettes.

Conclusion: Whilst the romantic elements can feel a bit traditional, Battle of the Brave is a must-watch for its production value alone. It is one of the few films that gives the French side of the conflict significant screen time and a high budget. For anyone building a French force for the 3rd Silesian War or the American frontier, the costume and set design provide plenty of "eye candy" to keep the motivation high at the painting desk.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Muskets.


What do you think?

Have you seen this film? Did it inspire you to pick up the paintbrush, or were the tactical errors too much to bear? Let me know in the comments!


Related project hubs for this period:
[The French and Indian War 1754–1763 Project Hub]  |  [The Seven Years War 1756–1763 Project Hub]


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