TEK9 Cinema: Kaftann looks back at COD1 - Looking Back

Most of you probably saw Teemu's article about some of the most known Vanilla CoD movies. Although our dear Kez shown us movies directed by Andreas Sundberg, there are still lots of videos worth mentioning and sharing. A couple of days ago I spent a few hours sorting out my compacts and found this very first 8GB DVD I ever "burned". "CoD1 movies" was its name, maybe not the most original one, though still – waking up hundreds of memories. Probably most of you started their adventure with Call of Duty series from Modern Warfare, which, I warn you, has nothing to do with the topic we'll be focusing on today.

The end of 2003 was a huge moment in history of first person shooters. "Call of Duty" was hitting the charts, as the first title to beat Medal of Honor from its World War II fps' throne. The entire world was shocked. The single-player campaign was a "dream-come-true" thing for all fans of movies such as "Enemy at the Gates" or "Saving Private Ryan". The music reminded us of "U-57" and the atmosphere of the game?... It was unique. The game won awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. But among the community of gamers, there were multiplayer-minded people. Most of the gametypes were known from games like Quake, Unreal Tournament or even Medal of Honor, but Call of Duty pioneered "Search & Destroy", which uncommonly fast focused the players around it.

Public servers were congested and overcrowded, the competitive scene grew in numbers. Years 2004 and 2005 were probably the most important years in history of Call of Duty online gaming. Those was the years of teams like e*star (later known as team9 and WHO-crew), OCRANA.ATI, Team-Dignitas, schoolgirlz or PCGAMER. Quite a lot players from those days still remain active, in different games of course.

Let's start off with "The Godfather of CoD-movies", as Teemu calls Adreas "slize" Sundberg, the author of all movies about WHO-crew, as well as their very aboriginal member.

1. e*star - hardrockR's

First movie made by slize. His debut in history of movie-making, as well as gigantic success. The movie worked like John Avildsen's "Rocky" on boxers. You couldn't resist the desire of being a part of it all. Not only great frags were featured while this movie was reviewed, but for the first time we could see the actual e*star members, sharing their photos and recordings during their meetings at LANS and not only. The shoutcasts, creating amazing atmosphere of an important tournament, exciting and stirring plays of the team, it all formed the wonderful world of Call of Duty.

2. e*star – Italian Job

Not long after, the stars of "hardrockR's" reached the top, another movie by Sundberg was released. This time it documented the team's performance during most known LAN in Italy called SmauLIP 2004. Again, with great frags and amazing soundtrack borrowed from "Kill Bill", there was no way it wouldn't succeed.

3. The e-WHOlution

May 2005. Another movie by slize released. Personally - the reason why I bought Call of Duty ages ago. It still reminds of the first time I saw this, when my cousin, living in England now, encouraged me to start playing online. Funny thing how such a meaningless video can bring so many good memories. This time Andreas decided to go a bit further, turn "right" and try out some of his newest ideas and possibilities. That kind of attitude gave us: trance, 360° spins, quality, colours, Peter Gabriel (good evening "Gangs of New York"), in one word – a masterpiece. Even nowadays, The e-WHOlution is being the best movie out there, with the most original and amusing atmosphere and gameplay. This time stars including their latest member Manuel "VonoX" Fuentes (former member of Team-Dignitas, which WHO-crew fought at SmauLIP 2004), instead of slize himself. Definitely the "Pulp Fiction" of Call of Duty movies. Incomparable and uncompetitive.

4. Aulie and others

As you probably know, not only slize chose movie-making as his proper hobby. Kenneth Aulie, known as plaZma, as well induced a huge agitation with his videos. As he reached sequel of Call of Duty with his experience in fragmovies, people were still seeking the "probably-done-but-never-uploaded-anywhere-though-some-people-are-saying-they-saw-it" kickR's Call of Duty 2 fragmovie. As for me? I never had the chance to even read about it.

As for Kenneth and his movie, as well as many others players, like Michael known from his appearance in Team 1UP, eth of HeXagon, Yersinia Pestis, Cobra or team-schoolgirlz, you may find links to their movies on the bottom of the article. I am wishing you best in your adventure with Call of Duty, hopefully you had a lot fun reading this one, being my debut in writing articles. There are plenty of great movies, that are underestimated or hidden somewhere between the crap. Be sure that if you're looking for something in particular, it may be sometimes covered with a lot of interesting stuff, that also deserve some attention. Don't steer clear of names that tells you nothing. Be on the ball and never lose interest.

Cheers!

Konrad "kaftann" Misiewicz

List of Movies:

- Crabs the movie
ATTENTION! If anyone finds a working link with original soundtrack, message me as soon as possible.
- Fragged by plaZma
- HeXagon – End of the Beginning
- plaZma – RETURN OF THE NORRBAGGE
- MICHAEL - Michaelangelo
- eth CoD1 Fragmovie
- Yersinia Pestis – The Pestilence
- Cobra pwns
- $LEPY CoD1 fragmovie
- PCGAMER - SUPERMEN
- Schoolgirlz – The Lesson
- United 5 - Unleashed
- OCRANA.ATI – Summer Cup 2004 Final
- Davy – yet another fragmovie