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Diplomacy
Diplomatie

Movie Poster

Country	France Germany
Directed by	Volker Schlöndorff
Release Date	February 12, 2014
Language	French German
Distributor	Gaumont (France) Koch Media (Germany)

Main Cast
Character	Actor
General von Choltitz	Niels Arestrup
Raoul Nordling	André Dussollier
Hauptmann Werner Ebernach	Burghart Klaußner
Leutnant Bressensdorf	Robert Stadlober
Concierge	Charlie Nelson

Diplomacy is a 2014 Franco-German movie directed by Volker Schlöndorff (The Tin Drum). On August 25, 1944, the battle for France seemed over. The French Second Armored Division is at the gates of Paris and it can only be a matter of time before the Allies free the French capital from the clutches of the Nazis. But the German city commander Dietrich von Choltitz is not thinking of letting the artistic and architectural treasures of Paris fall into the hands of the Allies. He is determined to carry out Hitler's orders and blow up half the city with all its wonders. The only chance for Paris is the Swedish consul-general Raoul Nordling, who tries with all diplomatic and rhetorical means to save the city from destruction. He visits von Cholitz for an all-important conversation.

The 1966 French movie Is Paris Burning? tells a similar representation, starring Gert Fröbe as Gen. Dietrich von Choltitz.

The following weapons were used in the film Diplomacy:

Handguns

Walther PP

A Walther PP pistol is the personal firearm of General der Infanterie (Lieutenant General) von Choltitz (Niels Arestrup).

Post war Walther PP - .32 ACP

Von Choltitz moves the slide of his pistol...

...and puts it into the drawer.

The pistol in the opened drawer.

He removes the pistol to lie it on his desk.

Walther PPK

Leutnant (Second lieutenant) Bressensdorf (Robert Stadlober) makes his way through the Paris Metro with a Walther PPK.

Walther PPK - .32 ACP

After Bressensdorf left the HQ, he immediately takes cover behind a pillar from French snipers with his drawn Walther in hand.

A shocked Bressensdorf holds his pistol.

MAS Mle. 1892

At the end of the movie, a Free French Army Lieutenant (the character is not credited as Henri Karcher) is seen taking General von Choltitz prisoner with an Mle 1892 Revolver.

Revolver d'ordonnance modèle 1892 - 8x27mm

The officer indicates his revolver in the direction in which von Choltitz must go.

Submachine Guns

MP40

German soldiers are also armed with MP40s. In the end, some Free French Army soldiers and Resistance fighters are seen with these submachine guns.

Maschinenpistole 40 - 9x19mm

The escorting soldier (Jochen Hägele) of Lt. Bressensdorf points his MP40 at the French architect.

A Landser (left) with an MP40 listening to the last speech of General von Choltitz.

M1A1 Thompson

What appears to be an M1A1 Thompson is briefly seen carried by one US soldier.

M1A1 Thompson - .45 ACP

The soldier at the truck near the pillar.

Rifles

Karabiner 98k

The Karabiner 98k is widely used by German soldiers, but also by some American soldiers and French Resistance fighters.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German soldier (Johannes Klaußner) with a Kar98k over his back speaks with Raoul Nordling (André Dussollier) while keeping an eye on him.

Two soldiers behind sandbags hold their carbines at the ready as Lt. Bressensdorf he runs into the street.

A full left side view of one Kar98k lies next to von Choltitz on a chimney.

Another view of the same Karabiner.

French engineer Jacques Lanvin (Jean-Marc Roulot) with a carbine during the briefing of Oberleutnant (First lieutenant) Hegger (Thomas Arnold).

A Kar98k held by a Résistance fighter.

Mauser Rifle

Some unknown Mauser Short Rifles are also used by German soldiers. A Free French Army soldier escorting von Choltitz carries this rifle at the end of the movie.