Days of Glory

Theatrical Poster

Country	France
Directed by	Rachid Bouchareb
Release Date	2006
Language	French, Arabic
Studio	Tessalit Productions
Distributor	Films Distribution

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Saïd Otmari	Jamel Debbouze
Corporal Abdelkadar	Sami Bouajila
Messaoud	Roschdy Zem
Yassir	Samy Naceri
Sergent Roger Martinez	Bernard Blancan

Despite never having set foot on French Soil before, Saïd Otmari (Jamel Debbouze), Corporal Abdelkadar (Sami Bouajila), Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) and Yassir (Samy Naceri) enlisted in the army along with 130,000 other "indigenous soldiers" to fight for their imperial masters. But instead of praise and gratitude for their selfless aid, the Algerian soldiers faced a double attack: on one side, their Axis enemies, and on the other, the racist ignorance of their commanding officers.

Forgotten by history and denied their rightful place amongst the heroes of war, Days of Glory tells the story of the French-Algerian defensive, and shows the true extent of their sacrifice.

French Weapons

MAS-36

The MAS-36 is the main weapon of the French Tirailleur soldiers, including Sergent Roger Martinez (Bernard Blancan) and Corporal Abdelkadar (Sami Bouajila). Note that the rifles shown in this movie are anachronistic : Only post-WWII versions have the hooded front sight.

MAS-36 - 7.5x54mm French

Sergent Roger Martinez (Bernard Blancan) scales the mountain with a MAS-36.

Tirailleur soldiers take cover from an artillery barrage with MAS-36 rifles.

Sergent Martinez shoots a German soldier engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Saïd Otmari (Jamel Debbouze) with the MAS-36.

Corporal Abdelkadar (Sami Bouajila) chambers a MAS-36.

Corporal Abdelkadar moves through a village with MAS-36 at the ready.

Corporal Abdelkadar cautiously moving through the village with the MAS-36.

Corporal Abdelkadar aims the MAS-36 at German soldiers.

Corporal Abdelkadar firing the MAS-36.

M1917 Enfield

Tirailleur soldiers also use the M1917 Enfield. Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) uses one in training before he is assigned as a Sniper.

M1917 Enfield - .30-06 Springfield

Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) chambers the M1917 Enfield during training.

Messaoud fires the M1917 Enfield.

A Tirailleur takes cover from a mortar shell behind a rock whilst holding an M1917 Enfield.

A Tirailleur aims an M1917 Enfield at Corporal Abdelkadar (Sami Bouajila) before determining that he is on his side.

M1 Garand

Sergent Roger Martinez (Bernard Blancan) uses an M1 Garand rifle to hit Saïd Otmari (Jamel Debbouze) after he accidentally sets off a live grenade during basic training. Capitaine Durieux (Benoît Giros) can be seen with one later on in the film.

M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06

Sergent Roger Martinez (Bernard Blancan) holds an M1 Garand.

Capitaine Durieux (Benoît Giros) with an M1 Garand.

Lebel 1886

Corporal Leroux (Mathieu Simonet) can be seen with a Lebel 1886 rifle slung during basic training.

Lebel Model 1886 Rifle - 8x50Rmm

Corporal Leroux (Mathieu Simonet) with a slung Lebel 1886 rifle.

Mauser Gewehr 1898

Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) uses the Mauser Gewehr 1898 with a Zeiss ZF42 scope and a curved bolt-handle when he becomes the designated marksman. Note the Lange Vizier rear sight under the telescope and 29.1" barrel. The telescope is also using only one mounting ring, and appears to be resting on the rear sight.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.62x57mm Mauser

Sergent Roger Martinez (Bernard Blancan) hands Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) the Mauser Gewehr 1898 sniper rifle.

Messaoud scales the mountain with the Gewehr 1898 sniper rifle.

Messaoud aims the Gewehr 1898 sniper rifle whilst taking cover behind a rock.

Messaoud enters the village with the Gewehr 1898 sniper rifle.

Messaoud firing the Gewehr 1898 sniper rifle.

Messaoud with the Gewehr 1898 sniper rifle.

M1928A1 Thompson

Yassir (Samy Naceri) uses a M1928A1 Thompson when he enters the village. It later changes to a M1 Thompson when he engages the Germans.

M1928A1 Thompson - .45 ACP

Yassir (Samy Naceri) with the M1928A1 Thompson as he enters the village.

M1 Thompson

Yassir (Samy Naceri) uses a M1 Thompson in the first battle on the mountain and in the climatic battle in the village. It can be distinguished from the M1A1 Thompson because of it's simple L Sight.

M1 Thompson with 20-round magazine - .45 ACP

Yassir (Samy Naceri) advancing up the mountain with M1 Thompson in hands.

Yassir firing the M1 Thompson.

Yassir prepares to fire at the Germans with the M1 Thompson.

Yassir firing the M1 Thompson at the Germans.

M1A1 Thompson

Yassir's (Samy Naceri) brother Larbi (Assaad Bouab) uses the M1A1 Thompson during the first battle on the mountain. Yassir later uses it to smash out a dead German soldiers gold teeth.

M1A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP

Larbi (Assaad Bouab) follows his brother Yassir (Samy Naceri) up the mountain with an M1A1 Thompson.

Yassir smashes out the gold teeth of a dead German with the M1A1 Thompson as his brother watches.

Chatellerault M1924/29

A Tirailleur soldier can be briefly seen with a Chatellerault M1924/29 Light Machine Gun during the mountain battle.

Chatellerault M1924/29 Light Machine Gun - 7.5x54mm

The Tirailleur soldier in the center carries the Chatellerault M1924/29 Light Machine Gun whilst scaling the mountain.

The Tirailleur soldier to the right of the image holds a Chatellerault M1924/29 Light Machine Gun as a mortar shell explodes nearby.

SACM M1935A

A Tirailleur soldier brandishes what appears a SACM M1935A during the first battle.

French SACM M1935A Pistol - 7.65 x 22mm Longue

A Tirailleur soldier carries a SACM M1935A during the mountain battle.

Mle 1892 Revolver

A French officer uses an Mle 1892 Revolver as he leads reinforcements up the mountain.

Modele d’Ordonnance Mle 1892 Revolver - 8x27mm SR

A French officer waves his troops forward whilst brandishing an unknown revolver.

Walther P38

Saïd Otmari (Jamel Debbouze) uses a Walther P38 pistol during the village battle.

Walther P38 pistol - 9x19mm

Saïd Otmari (Jamel Debbouze) carries a Walther P38 in his belt.

Saïd fires the Walther P38.

Saïd firing the Walther P38 from a doorway.

Saïd with the Walther P38.

F1 Hand Grenade

Saïd Otmari (Jamel Debbouze) uses an F1 Hand Grenade to destroy a German machine gun nest during the first battle.

F1 High-Explosive Fragmentation Hand Grenade with Mle1935 fuse

Saïd takes cover from a mortar shell. An F1 Hand Grenade hangs from his webbing.

Saïd pulls the commonly seen but inaccurate trick of many movie stars: pulling the pin from a F1 Hand Grenade with his teeth, risking severe dental injury to do so.

Mk 2 Hand Grenade

Saïd Otmari (Jamel Debbouze) can be seen with Mk 2 Hand Grenade holstered during training. He accidentally pulls the pin, and ends up destroying a tent.