Some Recent Arrivals Painted

 I have been quite productive recently, in an unfocussed, butterfly-like manner - with several different batches of figures on the go simultaneously, as well as some building and construction work - more of that anon.

Tonight, I present most of the Sultana Heteira's court by Effincool Miniatures - I say most, because the snake charmer is not yet finished - it's the snakeskin pattern. you see......! Here are the rest of the ladies, however, plus a few potential scenes from future Pulp scenarios....

The Sultana and her retinue are entertained.

The Court entertainers

Sitar Solo!

European Slave Girls are employed in the Court of the Sultana.

Female Nazis presented to The Sultana.

Visiting African royalty pay their respects.

A brash Pulp Hero tells these dames, what's what....

Not so noisy now, is he?!

And his female companion does not look happy either!

The Court with a couple of Egyptian additions.

I am very happy with how these figures have turned out and I must just figure out how to work them into an upcoming episode of "The Desk Mask of Ramallah".

Finally, I recently purchased and have just finished watching this DVD that many British readers may remember from their dim and distant youth - I am unsure if it is known to our N American colleagues?

The Flashing Blade

The Flashing Blade (French: Le Chevalier Tempête) is a French television serial made in the late 1960s. It was first broadcast in the UK on BBC children's television during the 1960s, with several re-runs throughout the 1970s. The British version of twelve 22 minutes episodes was created from the original four French 75-minute episodes.

The fictional story is based upon historical events during the War of the Mantuan Succession (1628–1631) between France and Spain and its allies. Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy, a supporter of Spain, laid siege to Casale, the capital of Montferrat on the Savoie (Savoy) border. Despite numerous attempts to scale the defences, the beleaguered garrison held out. The Savoy army was eventually defeated by a French relief force on 18 March 1629.

The castle of Casale, seen being besieged in the opening credits, was filmed at Château Gaillard in France.

Plot

The series revolves around the efforts of a dashing French spy to engineer the garrison's rescue. François, the Chevalier de Recci, and his servant Guillot are trapped in a besieged castle on the border between France and Spain. When the Spanish elite hear of a possible truce between France and Spain, some of them do not want a truce because the capture of the castle has greater strategic importance.

The Spanish begin a bombardment in order to capture the French castle before any form of ceasefire agreement is signed. The garrison commander, General Thoiras, recruits François and Gullot to break through Spanish lines to get word of the attack to the French Army. The pair, with their superior swordplay and horsemanship, embark on a daring mission evading capture, enemy spies and pursuing soldiers to deliver their message. The series ends with the Chevalier bringing news of the peace conference's decision to the Spanish Forces surrounding the castle.

The hero and heroine of the tale - the Chevalier de Recci and Isabelle de Sospel.

The evil Spanish adversary - Don Alonso.

As was to be expected, it is of its time (production values, what's that then?!) and does not really stand up to modern expectations, but I am glad I got it and no doubt I will watch it all again some day in the future, although I would be hard put to recommend anyone watch it, unless, like me, it's for nostalgia's sake!