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1968 Tunnel Rats is a 2008 Vietnam War film directed by infamous Uwe Boll. As typical for Uwe Boll films, there is a lot to criticize, though the film itself has mixed reviews (some reviewers actually think Boll is getting better). It appears that not a lot of thought was put into accurately portraying Vietnam War-era uniforms and gear for the film. Being filmed in South Africa (standing in for Vietnam), US soldiers wear green South African cotton uniforms (as seen in Red Scorpion in the guise of Russian and Cuban soldiers), their shoulder patches are bright and not subdued (subdued insignia was common by 1968) and the helmet covers are Woodland BDU, not the M59 "Vine Leaf / USMC reversible" pattern which is correct for Vietnam.
The following weapons were used in the film 1968 Tunnel Rats:
Rifles
Colt AR-15 Sporter Carbine
Sgt. Mike Heaney (Brad Schmidt) and Cpl. Dan Green (Wilson Bethel) carry Colt AR-15 Sporter Carbines as their weapons.
Colt Sporter II Carbine with 20-round magazine - 5.56x45mm. Colt model #R-6420. Colt still insisted on using the SP1 style lower receiver so any rifle that looks like this but has the ribbing around the magazine release button is not a Colt rifle. Variants of this rifle have both the round and tear drop forward assist buttons, however, most of the early years of production had the tear drop button, like this rifle in the image.
Cpl. Dan Green (
Wilson Bethel) holds a Colt AR-15 Sporter Carbine as he greets the new arrivals.
Sgt. Mike Heaney (Brad Schmidt) gives the order to saddle up while holding his Sporter Carbine.
Sgt. Heaney aims his Sporter Carbine down a tunnel.
A US soldier fires his Sporter Carbine during the NVA attack.
M16
The original M16 rifles are carried by Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette) and other US soldiers during the chopper disembarkation at the beginning of the film. As with the other rifles in the film, M16s can be seen on occasion with anachronistic 30-round magazines.
Original M16 - 5.56x45mm - the first model, firing in a 20-round magazine, adopted in large numbers by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. This has the original 3-prong flash-hider. It would later be replaced by the upgraded M16A1.
Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette) with an M16 during the chopper ride. This gives a good shot of the ALICE suspenders, that are used by many US soldiers in the film, and that are obviously wrong for the period depicted.
A US soldier hauling a body bag carries an M16.
M16A1/XM16E1
Most of the US soldiers carry the updated M16A1 as well as the earlier variant XM16E1 rifles, including Lt. Vic Hollowborn (Michael Paré), Pvt. Samuel Graybridge (Brandon Fobbs), Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette), Pvt. Jim Lidford (Nate Parker) and Pvt. Bob Miller (Jeffrey Christopher Todd).
M16A1 with 20-round magazine - 5.56x45mm. What distinguishes it from the original M16 was the addition of a raised rib around the magazine release button, changing of the forward receiver pins, and the addition of the forward assist button on the upper receiver.
M16A1 with A2 style handguards - 5.56x45mm. Putting the distinctive A2 handguards on the older rifle was a method used by Film/TV armorers to simulate A2 rifles when M16A1s were the only ones available. The same thing has been done vice-versa, using M16A2s with A1 handguards for Vietnam War B films.
XM16E1 rifle with 20-round magazine - 5.56x45mm. What distinguishes it from the original M16 was the addition of the forward assist button and a chrome bolt carrier (which was later dropped with the M16A1).
Pvt. Samuel Graybridge (Brandon Fobbs) on watch with his XM16E1.
Lt. Vic Hollowborn (
Michael Paré) fires an XM16E1 during the NVA attack on the US camp.
Graybridge fires at pursuing NVA soldiers in full-automatic mode.
Pvt. Bob Miller (Jeffrey Christopher Todd) with his XM16E1.
Miller tries to clear a jam on his XM16E1.
M16A2
During the scene where a captured NVA soldier is hung, a US soldier can be seen with an anachronistic M16A2 rifle, identified by the heavy barrel. The M16A2 did not enter U.S. Army service until 1989.
Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette) and Pvt. Jim Lidford (
Nate Parker) holding their M16A2 rifles on patrol.
Pvt. Samuel Graybridge (Brandon Fobbs) carries an M16A2 rifle and an anachronistic 30-round magazine.
Lidford scans the jungle with his M16A2.
A US soldier rests an M16A2 rifle on his chest.
The M16A2, identified by its heavy barrel, can be seen in the center of the image.
Vektor R5 (Modified to Resemble AK-47)
NVA soldiers use what appear to be at first glance AK-47 rifles. However, based on their 5.56mm magazines and angled Valmet-style receiver design, these rifles are actually Vektor R5 rifles modified to resemble Kalashnikovs. Most of the NLF soldiers, including Vo Mai (Jane Le), Huy Tran (Scott Ly) and Nguyen Van Chien (John Wynn) use R5s modified to look like the AK-47s. Similar weapons have appeared in other films made in South Africa, such as District 9, Dangerous Ground or Chris Ryan's Strike Back.
Type III AK-47 with cleaning rod removed and laminated stock - 7.62x39mm
Vo Mai (Jane Le) carries a faux AK-47.
An NLF soldier fires a faux AK-47.
Huy Tran (Scott Ly) and Nguyen Van Chien (John Wynn) with their Vektor R5/AK-47 rifles.
Nguyen points his faux AK-47.
Huy on patrol with his R5/AK-47.
Nguyen points his R5/AK-47. Note the angled receiver design and differently shaped indentation that distinguishes the rifle as an R5.
Nguyen fires his R5/AK-47 in semi-automatic mode.
An NVA soldier tries to clear a jam on his rifle.
Huy struggles to load his weapon.
Vektor R5 (Modified to Resemble AKS-47)
An NVA soldier is seen with an R5 that has been made to look like an AKS-47 with a folding stock.
An NVA soldier fires a faux AKS-47.
A clear view of the folding stock as the NVA soldier is gunned down.
Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine
A Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine can be seen in Vo Mai's (Jane Le) dugout in the tunnels.
Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine - 7.62x54mmR. This is the model issued during most of World War Two, the M44 would not be fielded until the last six months of the war. Note slightly shorter barrel, lack of brass reinforcements in the sling holes and lack of bayonet notch in the stock.
A Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine leans against a wall in Vo Mai's (Jane Le) dugout.
Another shot of the M38 Carbine leans against the wall.
Machine Guns
M60
The M60 machine gun is used by Pvt. Jim Lidford (Nate Parker) and Pvt. Dean Garraty (Adrian Collins). A US soldier also uses one during the NVA attack on the base camp. Note that every operator fires it one-handed - a difficult feat.
M60 machine gun with bipod extended - 7.62x51mm NATO
Pvt. Dean Garraty (Adrian Collins) with the M60 machine gun.
The M60, now the responsibility of Pvt. Jim Lidford (
Nate Parker), leans against a fallen log.
Lidford picks up the M60 when he and Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins) are ambushed by the NVA.
Lidford firing the M60 one-handed in Rambo mode as he shows us his war face.
A US soldier defending the camp perimeter opens fire with an M60.
A US soldier fires his M60 before being gunned down by an NVA soldier. With scenes like these, you'd think that US soldiers were trained to fire LMGs one-handed.
Browning M2HB
A Browning M2HB is mounted in the camp perimeter. The gunner is killed before he can use it.
Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG
A US soldier loading a Browning M2HB in the background. Here you see, on the black soldier on the left, another equipment massively used in the film: the Webbing P58, that is BRITISH... one could expect that at least nationality, if not the model, would have been right, but hey that's Uwe Boll!
A US soldier manning the M2HB as his comrade's brains are blown out behind him. Apparently he doesn't notice this or the raging firefight around him. According to Vietnam War film logic, he's probably high. He certainly looks it.
The unmanned M2HB swings from its mount as Nguyen Van Chien (John Wynn) decides the US soldier isn't dead enough, and proceeds to posthumously dismember him. One would hate to think what would happen to the poor bastard if Nguyen got him alive.
Nguyen, in overkill mode, fires his R5/AK-47 next to the M2HB.
Shotguns
Smith & Wesson Model 916A
Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins) carries a Smith & Wesson Model 916A shotgun as his personal weapon.
Smith & Wesson Model 916A - 12 Gauge
Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins) holding his Smith & Wesson Model 916A during the chopper ride to base.
Harris clutches his Model 916A.
Harris kneels with his Model 916A.
Harris fires his Model 916A at charging NVA soldiers.
Handguns
Colt M1911A1
The Colt M1911A1 is used by the US soldiers for tunnel rat duty. Carrying it throughout the film are Lt. Vic Hollowborn (Michael Paré), Sgt. Mike Heaney (Brad Schmidt), Cpl. Dan Green (Wilson Bethel), Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins), Pvt. Carl Johnson (Erik Eidem), Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette), Pvt. Jonathon Porterson (Garikayi Mutambirwa) and Pvt. Dean Garraty (Adrian Collins).
World War Two issued Colt M1911A1 pistol - .45 ACP
Pvt. Dean Garraty (Adrian Collins) pulls out his Colt M1911A1 for tunnel rat duty.
Pvt. Carl Johnson (Erik Eidem) prepares to enter the tunnels with his M1911A1.
Johnson with his M1911A1 and flashlight as he emerges from the tunnels.
Sgt. Mike Heaney (Brad Schmidt) brandishing an M1911A1 as he crawls through the tunnel system.
Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette) with an M1911A1 in the tunnels.
Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins) holsters his M1911A1.
Cpl. Dan Green (
Wilson Bethel) crawls through the tunnels with his M1911A1.
Lt. Vic Hollowborn (
Michael Paré) shoots an NVA soldier with his M1911A1.
With an M1911A1 in hand, Green tries to convince Vo Mai (Jane Le) that he isn't a threat to her or her family.
Other Weapons
M79 Grenade Launcher
Pvt. Jonathon Porterson (Garikayi Mutambirwa) carries an M79 grenade launcher during patrol; he switches to a Colt M1911A1 for the rest of the film, which he spends in the tunnels.
M79 grenade launcher - 40x46mm
Porterson holds his M79 as Lt. Vic Hollowborn (
Michael Paré) opens up the tunnels.
Unknown Flamethrower
An NLF soldier picks up an unknown flamethrower from a dead US soldier, using it against other GIs during the attack on the camp.
An NLF soldier picks up a Flamethrower from a dead American.
The NLF soldier opens fire with the Flamethrower.
M26 Hand Grenade
Lt. Vic Hollowborn (Michael Paré), Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins), Pvt. Carl Johnson (Erik Eidem), Pvt. Jonathon Porterson (Garikayi Mutambirwa) and Pvt. Jim Lidford (Nate Parker) all carry or use the M26 Hand Grenade at various points. An M26 Grenade is also seen as part of an NVA booby-trap in the tunnels.
M26 High-Explosive Fragmentation Hand Grenade
Pvt. Carl Johnson (Erik Eidem) with an M26 Hand Grenade attached to his jacket.
An M26 Grenade on Pvt. Jim Lidford's (
Nate Parker) jacket.
Lt. Vic Hollowborn (
Michael Paré) hands a pair of M26 Grenades to Johnson.
Johnson unearths a booby-trapped M26 Grenade planted by the NVA.
Close-up of the string attached to the grenade pin.
Porterson's M26 Grenade rolling to a stop.
Hollowborn uses an M26 Grenade to detonate a box of grenades in an attempt to kill the NVA in the camp.
M7 CS Gas Grenade
The M7 CS Gas Grenade is used by the US soldiers to clear the way for their entry in the tunnel systems. Carrying and using the M7 are Cpl. Dan Green (Wilson Bethel), Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins), Pvt. Carl Johnson (Erik Eidem) and Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette).
Cpl. Dan Green (
Wilson Bethel) on patrol with an M7 CS Gas Grenade on his jacket.
Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins) hands an M7 to Pvt. Carl Johnson (Erik Eidem).
Johnson primes the M7 before throwing it into the tunnel.
Close-up of an M7 Gas Grenade carried by Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette).
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