Nintendo Ad shot near Sydney, Australia

At the end of January 2000, about 150 medievalists from NSW, Victoria and Queensland gathered to be extras in an amazing advertisement for the Nintendo 64 which was shown in cinemas and on TV across the US and Europe.

Here are the troops in the “Fire Army” forming up into a big flying wedge (Photo: Ruth Kunde) -

The crew was very impressed with the way we ‘got into’ character (check out the faces in the charging scenes!), and how we could endure the weight of armour (some did three 15 hour days in kit).

There were many comments on the quality of the costume and gear we brought, which really enhanced the ‘look’ of the ad.

Here are some postings lifted from an armouring discussion group (thanks to Martin Baker for this):

‘...with all the medieval movies that have come out in the past five years, the highest level of authenticity in arms & armour I've seen is the new commercial for the Nintendo 64...’ Brodir, March 21, 2000 12:06 PM

‘I love that commercial. Made me fall right off the couch the first time I saw it.’ Owynn MacKinnon, March 21, 2000 01:42 PM

‘I guess I need to watch more TV.’ Kenneth, March 21, 2000 02:31 PM

‘What game?’ Wulfgar, March 21, 2000 03:18 PM

‘No game... the N-64 is now available in 5 or 6 various colors. In the commercial, there is an army, sort of Dark-ages generic, done up in the colors of each new system. One is a silly Braveheart painted Scot horde, but the rest are really cool Viking-age N. European. There's tons of real maille shirts (no silver sequins), a Gjermundbu helm, a Coppergate helm, stacks of huscarl-axes & centergripped rounds... probably wouldn't pass with Regia Anglorum, but still cool-looking.’ Brodir, March 21, 2000 04:20 PM Note - the shields were mostly agency-supplied props so they could be painted in the right colours, the odd polearms are also props.

‘I was hoping it was for a new movie bummed out when I saw it was Nintendo’ Scot, March 21, 2000 05:28 PM

‘This ad was filmed here in Australia but only shown *over there* I would love to get to see it but no sign of it here yet.’

New Guy, March 21, 2000 07:43 PM

‘Some companies put their ads online in Quicktime or Mpeg format for freaks like us.. might be worth to keep a look-out.’ Dmitriy, March 21, 2000 07:47 PM go see the ad

‘...I saw that commercial. When it fist came on I thought WOW!!!....then something didn't seem right..*L*....There are some great rigs and faces!!’ New Guy, March 21, 2000 09:03 PM

‘I just saw the commercial last night. I was at my brother's house when it came on. I threw myself in front of the tv and.then the second half of the commercial came on now my brother will look at me in a weird way every time I'll talk about armour.’ Uriel, March 24, 2000 09:48 PM