Being of ‘The Brotherhood…’

At the risk of being overly philosophical in this post, we thought we’d attempt to touch base on what it is that attracts us – men especially – to those in earlier times who served as knights? The whole idea & concept of an Order and being part of a “Brotherhood” leaves many innately intrigued. What is it exactly? The Chivalric Orders – whether Teutonic, Templar, Hospitaller, or Livonian – seem to act as a magnet for a large group of people. Why is this? It is an age long ago (after all we’re talking Medieval Times here) and the Chivalric Orders – though still existing today – seem to be “off the front pages” as it were. We thinks there may be a cultural reason for this. Ever since the advent of what is termed “pop culture”, which Wikipedia defines as

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Popular culture is the entirety of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes,^[1] images, and other phenomena that are within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the late 20th and early 21st century. Heavily influenced by mass media, this collection of ideas permeates the everyday lives of the society.

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Being of ‘The Brotherhood…’

Since the advent, which could roughly be argued to have started around the time of Rudolf Valentino‘s debut (he being among the first to have women swooning in the seats)  and has been building ever since.  Both Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra stepped on the gas (with Elvis lending a lot of weight) and with the arrival of The Beatles in February 1964 it was pedal-to-the-metal for the next forty-odd years. It continues with “Bieber Fever” to this day. In this time mores began to change (“times change & people change”) and the public moved past those things considered stoic or stalwart for more of a “feel good/quick fix” – type of temperament. One thing that knights were at their height was super masculine; you don’t take an oath of chastity & benevolence to others before God & The Order for life, put on chain mail, armored helmets, mount a horse and ride out to engage in hand-to-hand combat if you’re a patsy. These guys have more in common with today’s Special Forces, Navy SEAL’s, or United States Marines than anything/anyone else. It is best summed up in the quote (attributed to Chris Bradford) “Only by binding together as a single force will we remain strong & unconquerable.” This could be the motto of any of the Chivalric Orders of the time. They had to band together (see Leignitz 1241) since – compared to their enemies – they were comparatively few in number. 

Distilling it down even further, there has been – in effect – a war on masculinity since about the early 1970’s. It was about that time that the culture began masculine-izing women & feminizing men. The cumulative effect is best summed up in what you see in pop culture today. 

Moreover, the cultural ripples are in effect: apparently there’s been a rash of purse snatchings in Philadelphia. One woman has the temerity to ask,

Where are our men? Why are they not protecting us?” Sanchez continued, her voice full of frustration. “Men are failing us. I feel as though we are not being protected.

Ms. Sanchez can probably expect an irate call from NOW but you get the point. The standards, mores, & values that created the knights have seriously deteriorated if not completely collapsed. There’s been an additional shift in the mores over the last half century to where – instead of looking out for those less fortunate & defenseless – the culture has become absorbed in the self. As a result a large group of people have little or no idea what knights were or the reason they were created.

Though “a large group” does not mean everyone. A quick glance to your right will show how many have Liked us on Facebook, as of this writing it’s 3,565 and it’s not only in the United States, but Great Britain, Germany, the Philippines, Taiwan, & Japan (could it be something is having an effect?). So honour & chivalry, the principles of “Helfen”Wehren*Heilen” (Help*Defend*Protect) have not completely disappeared. They never will. Count yourself among those having a keener insight than the average bear.

Being of ‘The Brotherhood…’

And witness the continued success of films like Lone Survivor or MURPH: The Protector. The latter you may not be aware of but should: written and directed by Scott Mactavish (a U.S. Navy Vet himself & director of another tribute to a fallen Navy SEAL Lance Vacarro), it tells the incredible story of one of America’s premier Navy SEALs: Lt. Michael Murphy. The full-length feature documentary is based on Lt Michael Murphy’s entire life of honor, courage and commitment, as told by his friends, family and teammates. A native of Patchogue, New York, Murphy attended Penn State University and then joined the U.S. Navy to serve in the SEALs.  He gave his life for his men in 2005 and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2007. The key personnel driving this project to fruition were Mactavish & Composers Jeff Widenhofer & Chris Irwin, both U.S. Navy Veterans themselves (Irwin being a SEAL, Widenhofer being a helo pilot), worked together with Lt. Murphy’s family to get the story right. And get it right they did, the film has been receiving well-deserved accolades and made it to the “short list” of the 75 films the Academy Awards considered, no small accomplishment.   In Mactivish’s own words, “It’s about family, character, & service.” Taking this journey through MURPH: The Protector will touch your soul. And that’s the highest compliment you can ever give any filmmaker. And when you get right down to it, Murphy gave his life for his fellow SEALs, there is no more perfect illustration of ‘The Brotherhood’ than that. You can get MURPH:The Protector at WalMart (where it’s one of their biggest sellers) or amazon instant video. Also available on Blu-Ray.

“Family, character, & service”; the precise reason we seek to produce THE MARSCHER LORDS:Brotherhood or Death. It is something that can inform, entertain, two principles upon which QuarterDeck Production Corp and these projects were formed. And – as previously noted – it has vast potential as a full-length feature. History is great entertainment. Join us & our Academy Award-nominated & Emmy Award-winning production team and let’s get this project started!

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