Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

[Mark Choate]

Gentlemen,

Last weekend we closed up the filming for the documentary movie on the "Battle of Shiloh" which is to be released next April, on the 150th anniversary of the battle. Many of you were involved with this and given the fact that it was tacked onto the end of the Cavalry Camp of Instruction, are also exhausted with this 4 week marathon! One thing that all of you may not know is that our own Ken Knopp was in charge of the authenticity guidelines for all of the saddles, tack and horses used in this huge undertaking. We often time bang on "Hollywood" for their slip-shod approach to the accuracy of the day and rightfully so. But I want to tell you that I was amazed at the amount of work and stamina that Ken pumped out in this role. At every scene change (not just most) Ken was changing saddles, headstalls, shabraques, bedrolls, valise, etc. to stay not only accurate to the period, but also to what that particular officer or trooper would have had at the time. This meant saddling and unsaddling dozens of horses per day on multiple sites. Oh, and if you have never changed a shabraque before, then you ought to try it. It involves basically dismantling the saddle and stirrups. Anyway, Kudos to you, Ken for the wonderful job that you did and the finished product should be a testament not only to your knowledge, but also to your work ethic!

Oh, and he also was tapped to play Col J. Cockerill in a stirring scene of being reunited with his son near the Shiloh Church! It was great to see ole Ken back in the saddle!! Too bad there wasn't a love scene with Megan Fox or something............:wink_smil

regards,
Mark

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

Here, here! I had a great time, was great to Ken again, I have a huge amount of respect for this man and what he does!

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

It was very good to see the different types of saddles that were being used during the filming and have some questions answered about the tack .

What was odd to me and I asked about was why was there a extra curb chain on the dragoon headstall? It was period according to Ken . Just one thing I learned that weekend .
Mark, Thanks for the picture from over the weekend too!

I am sure you will get an award for best death scene in a documentary also!

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

Jerry, I can assure you that I poured my heart (and my fake blood) into the part!! HA!!

I have some photos that the make-up folks took that I will send you off line.

By the way, a huge thanks to you, Ethan and Chris for coming up Saturday and helping out! Great performance on the "Buell is here" warning scene!

Mark

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

Oh, my gosh!! This is embarrassing. The reality is that this film could not have been done without great sacrifice and incredibly long hours and hard work by a lot of people (cavalry & infantry) in particular our cavalry officers (Ronnie Fullwood and Mark Choate) and members of the 7th Tennessee Cavalry and, some of the old Critter’s ....not to mention no small amount of luck.
You are right Mark we have been busy these last few weeks. As for this movie project, I must say that I really did not know what to expect when I arrived. I had envisioned some normal duties of a historical consultant but quickly found that there was little pre-event planning when it came to accurate or consistent horse equipments and, precious little to draw from. As it was, I was thrown into the role of project Wrangler and prop manager. But, thank God that Karl Luthin was hired as prop master on this film. It was pure luck that he brought with him a few officer’s Grimsely saddles, bridles, valises and schabraques on the first weekend’s filming. That enabled us to properly outfit Grant, Sherman, Johnston, Beaureguard and their various staff officers. On the second week’s shoot we contracted for Karl to bring substantially more. While I became Wrangler and manager of horse related props, the real credit goes to my old friend Dr. Karl Luthin. So, let me take a few moments and acquaint some of you with him.
For those that do not know him, Karl Luthin was “the cavalry” in the early days of authentic cavalry reenacting. In the late 1970's and through the early 90's Karl Luthin and the 7th Illinois Cavalry quite literally “made” Yankee cavalry reenacting. Many events paid Karl and his unit to come because they knew he would draw more Yanks and even more Confederate cavalry. He would routinely field 20-50 guys at most any event bringing his semi-trailer of horses and his own tack wagon filled with equipment. Then, at first in the film, “The Blue & The Gray” (1980?), he began fielding his men for movie projects. This led to dozens of other films and as time went on, fewer reenactments. As for film projects, Karl’s efforts always got us top dollar for film work- usually $150/day and respect from producers to be treated not as extras but as “background specialists”. True! Quite often we got extra paying work doing stunts and even some acting roles (and our SAG cards). This is a far cry from the pittance and abuse reenactors often take for “few & far between” film work today. As time went on he bought up significant props to become one of Hollywood’s top prop houses include being able to do any type of period “horse-opera” from Ghengis Kahn to the Crusades, to the American Revolution to Dragoon/Civil War and Indian War to westerns to World War I & II American and German (and Polish) cavalry. Today, he owns about 35 Grimsley saddles, dozens of various period McClellans, civilian saddles, Texas saddles, unknown numbers of foreign military saddles & equip., several battery wagons, cannons, caissons (including stunt caissons), a forge wagon, buckboard wagons, buggies, prop (plastic & hair covered) horses; tents, ammunition crates, camp equipment, etc. etc. It is a fact that almost every period (horse) movie filmed in America in the last 25 years includes Karl Luthin’s props and people.
Check out his web site http://kelequineproductions.com/index.html

I have known and respected Karl for over twenty-five years having rode under him at many reenactments as cavalry and mounted artillery including Gettysburg 1988 where we fielded the first fully mounted and complete six-gun artillery battery on that park since the war. I also had the pleasure of working several movie projects under him years ago including North & South; Glory; Son of the Morning Star and The Alamo- The price of Freedom (A State of Texas Imax film). So this Shiloh was a great trip down memory lane for me. Yet Karl’s list of credits includes over four dozen movies, documentaries, etc including Cold Mountain, The Last Samauri, Geronimo, Jesse James, The Patriot, Gods & Generals, Rambo III and Gettysburg. It goes without saying that Karl Luthin is very well known and respected in the film world
Major Karl Luthin used to ride (and ride hard- I dare say) at reenactments (where he was a great field commander of cavalry) and movies and he used to be a tough-assed/demanding commander to ride under anywhere but today at 71 years old he is a bit mellower. Yet, still quite knowledgeable on the practical and “real world” use (and care of cavalry horses) and methods of cavalry in the field (including the march) and how to properly integrate them into film projects. Much of what I learned was under Karl Luthin. Today sadly, most cavalry reenactors today do not even know who he is but, Karl Luthin has long been a great advocate and champion for our part of the hobby. He LOVES cavalry and mounted artillery and has lived the dream that many of us can only envy. As the substantial benefactors of his life’s work, we as cavalryman today owe Karl Luthin a big debt of gratitude. So, the next time you go to a good cavalry event or, watch a good period film with cavalry (or mounted artillery) take a moment to tip a glass and say thank you to one of those that cut the path and led us across the prairie .....Dr. Karl Luthin.

PS: And yes!! You guys finally got me in the saddle again! And, I must say- it felt really, really good!

Photo: Karl Luthin, myself and Shiloh movie Unit production manager Tyler Young

Ken R Knopp

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

I am very much looking forward to it! I hope it will finally replace theold park film from the 1960s. That was terrible by now.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

Ken,

Thanks so much for taking the opportunity to tell the Karl Luthin story. It is vitally important to understand those who have paved the way in this hobby of ours and Karl is definitely at the top of the list in that respect. Excellent write up and report.

Oh, and yes, Jan, replacing the old movie at the Park Visitor Center is definitely one of the top purposes of this effort. That thing was actually made in the late 50's and therefore is over 50 years old!

Mark

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

Oh, my gosh!! This is embarrassing.

Ah, come on it's well deserved praise! I must say I did get to speak to Dr. Luthin and I enjoyed getting to know him a little, his daughter has a sick gift though! I think I spent two hours picking latex and wiping stunt blood off of my face! If I may say this without tooting my own horn, I had a deep sense of accomplishment when Dr. Luthin and yourself told me NOT to change any of my tack! Thank you for spending some extra time with me to advise me own how to finish restoring my saddle!

[TexCavly]

Re: Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

I wish I could do stuff like this with ya'll but it's tough living so far away. I want to know how I can get involved in the movie making stuff like being an extra.

[Old-South]

Re: Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

Is it true that Mark dressed in a loin cloth and was brought down with a rock and a sling?

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Cav Forum's "Knopp" impacts Shiloh Film!

Is it true that Mark dressed in a loin cloth and was brought down with a rock and a sling?

Yep, and he even looked down at his opponent a said "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?";)