The mention of Dunbar and Cavalry together brings not so much a cricketing image to FB's mind, but a reminder of the epic western Dances With Wolves, whose protagonist is a US Cavalry officer by name of John Dunbar.
There is nothing of cricketing interest in this film, itself a sad reminder that the period in which it is set, the immediate aftermath of the American Civil War was that which put paid to the growth of cricket in the USA. Prior to the Amercan Civil War cricket had been highly popular, but baseball proved more adaptable to military conditions as the troops could play it almost anywhere. The rest, as they say is history.
In his lonely frontier station Dunbar progressively comes to know, respect and then love the Prairie Indians. It is they who rename him Dances With Wolves after observing him doing just that with a wolf who regularly visits his encampment.
FB wonders how cricketers would fare if they were named in a similar way after their behaviour on the field of play. FB might hope his own name would be Up the Hill Against the Wind, but it is more likely to be Hopeless Against Spin. He is resolved, should there be any play this season, to rename his team in this way. Perhaps the return fixture against Dunbar at the end of July could mark that occasion in the unlikely event that it ever happens.
In the meantime, it is a good opportunity to be reminded of the movie's splendid John Dunbar theme composed by John Barry. It expresses the epic journey to the frontier and the open spaces encountered there. Hear it again on this link. Test Match Quality
The movie is indeed of Test Match quality (and length, it has to be said), containing memorable scenes such as the buffalo stampede. Rarely has 3 hours passed so quickly. There is no record of Kevin Costner's competence at cricket, however.
ReplyDeleteThanks - there is a 4 hour version as well - which Costner afterwwards disowned which might suggest that he would find a Test Match trying.
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