There is nothing quite like the feeling of an international parcel hitting the doorstep, especially when it contains a classic piece of campaign gaming history you’ve been eagerly anticipating! My boxed copy of GDW’s 1982 classic, Soldier King , officially arrived today—safely shipped over from Noble Knight Games. The components are in fantastic condition. Leafing through those vintage 1982 rulebook pages and unrolling the map sheets in person immediately brings back that great, nostalgic operational gaming aesthetic. The Inspiration Behind the Campaign I have to give a massive tip of the hat to Neil Patterson over at the Aufklarungsabteilung blog. It was reading through Neil’s fantastic posts and seeing how he integrated Soldier King into his own campaign gaming that originally hooked me on the concept. The clean map layout, simple area movement, and multi-faction dynamic make it an ideal engine for driving grand-scale strategic campaigns on the tabletop w...
The Great King (1942)
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The Great King: Frederick at His Lowest Ebb
Directed by Veit Harlan (Released: 1942)
Introduction:The Great King is a high-budget historical drama that focuses on the most perilous years of Frederick the Great's reign during the Seven Years War. The narrative centres on the catastrophic Prussian defeat at the Battle of Kunersdorf in 1759 and Frederick's subsequent struggle to keep his nation from total collapse. It is a sombre, atmospheric film that portrays the King not just as a conqueror, but as a man burdened by the immense cost of his ambitions and the weight of his crown.
Film Excerpt / Restoration Preview
Historical Accuracy: While the film served as state-sponsored propaganda during the 1940s, its dedication to historical aesthetics is remarkable. Otto Gebühr’s performance is iconic, effectively becoming the "face" of Frederick for generations. For the wargamer, the depiction of Kunersdorf provides a vivid visual reference for the sheer scale of 18th-century combat and the devastation wrought by the Russian artillery—a perfect tie-in to our reading of Christopher Duffy's Russia’s Military Way to the West. The uniform details and the recreation of the King's inner circle are handled with a level of care that provides excellent "eye candy" for our 6mm painting projects.
Conclusion:The Great King remains one of the most significant "Prussian films" ever produced. It captures the legendary "Fridericus" spirit and the stoicism of the Prussian army in the face of total disaster. When viewed alongside our research on the 3rd Silesian War, it helps to humanise the tactical maps and OOBs by showing the emotional toll of the conflict. It is a powerful piece of cinema that, despite its origins, remains a vital visual resource for the period.
Rating: 4 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!
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