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Downfall
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Downfall (German language/International title: Der Untergang) is a 2004 historical war drama chronicling the last ten days of Adolf Hitler's life during the Battle of Berlin. Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, the film is based on numerous primary and secondary accounts of the final days of Adolf Hitler, set in and around Hitler's Führerbunker. The film stars Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler. Filming took place in Berlin, Munich, and Saint Petersburg.
The following weapons were used in the film Downfall:
WARNING! Spoilers are present in some image descriptions.
Pistols
Walther PP
General der Artillerie Helmuth Weidling (Michael Mendl) and SS-Oberscharführer (Technical Sergeant) Rochus Misch (Heinrich Schmieder) carry Walther PP pistols as their sidearm. Weidling's pistol is seen briefly when he hands it over before entering the bunker. Misch is seen gazing at his Walther PP while manning the radio.
Walther PPK
Adolf Hitler's (Bruno Ganz) Walther PPK is seen lying on the floor of his office after he commits suicide. General der Infanterie Wilhelm Burgdorf (Justus von Dohnányi) carries a PPK as do other officers, and Nazi diplomats such as Walther Hewel (Gerald Alexander Held).
Walther Model 8
After Hitler (Bruno Ganz) commits suicide, a Walther Model 8 pistol is seen lying on his coffee table. This is historically accurate according to Hitler's personal valet Heinz Linge, and his adjutant Otto Günsche, who testified that upon Hitler's suicide they discovered him with two pistols: a 6.35mm Walther Model 8, which Linge claimed Hitler often carried in a concealed pocket, and a 7.65mm Walther PP or PPK pistol. Günsche unloaded the weapons and noted that the PP or PPK (he couldn't recall the exact model) had been fired, while the Model 8 had not.
Walther P38
Most of the Wehrmacht, Waffen-SS, and Hitler Youth soldiers are seen with a Walther P38 as their sidearm. SS-Sturmbannführer (Major) Otto Günsche (Götz Otto) also carries a Walther P38. Joseph Goebbels (Ulrich Matthes) also uses a P38 to commit suicide with his wife, Magda (Corinna Harfouch).
Luger P08
SS-Brigadeführer (Brigadier General) Wilhelm Mohnke (André Hennicke) carries a Luger P08 as his sidearm. He is seen with it when the last remaining German officers prepare for the Red Army.
Submachine Guns
MP 38
The MP 38 is used by Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS troops. SS-Standartenführer (Colonel) Ernst-Günther Schenck's adjutant Max Müller (Mikhail Tryasorukov) carries one as well.
MP 40
Several members of the SS are seen armed with MP 40 submachine guns, most notably when they prepare to cremate the Goebbels' remains. SS officer Peter Högl uses an MP 40 to execute Hermann Fegelein. General der Artillerie Helmuth Weidling's adjutant also carries an MP 40, which he hands over before entering the bunker.
PPSh-41
The PPSh-41 submachine gun is seen throughout the film. Massive amounts are seen at the end of the film carried by Soviet soldiers, when the Red Army arrives to inspect the surrendered German forces. Normally, the PPSh-41 was not issued in such a large quantity, but the Red Army, upon entering Berlin, had issued nearly every soldier with a PPSh-41 in anticipation of the street fighting that ensued. So this abundance of PPSh-41s is, in fact, historically correct.
Rifles
Karabiner 98k
The standard issue rifle of the German Army during WWII, the Karabiner 98k, is seen throughout the film. Many are seen during an interior scene where weapons are being handed out (though the vast majority of weapons in the scene are StG 44 assault rifles). At the end of the film, surrendering German soldiers can be seen smashing their Karabiner 98k rifles prior to the arrival of the Red Army.
Karabiner 98AZ
Some of the soldiers are also armed with Karabiner 98AZ carbines. It can be identified by the short barrel and the metal hook under the front barrel band which was used to facilitate stacking the rifles in a pyramid.
Mauser Standard Modell
At least one German soldier can briefly be seen with a Mauser Standard Modell.
Sturmgewehr 44
Arguably the most Sturmgewehr 44s ever seen in one movie. The StG 44 is more commonly seen than all other German weapons. As confirmed by a WWII historian, the German Army held back issuing their StG-44s to elite units, but toward the end of the war, started handing them out in large numbers, figuring that they were running out of troops to arm.
Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine
Lots of Mosin Nagant M38 Carbines are seen in the hands of Red Army soldiers. Oddly, the standard Red Army infantry rifle, the full-sized Mosin Nagant M91/30, is rarely seen (the M38 Carbine was normally issued to truck drivers and secondary members of crew-served weapon groups). As in the case of the PPSh-41, M38 Carbines were issued in anticipation of the heavy street fighting, so the mix of PPSh-41s and M38s is historically correct.
Machine Guns
Visually Modified PK
During the Red Army's assault on the city, German soldiers are seen laying down suppressing fire with PK Machine Guns visually modified to resemble the MG 34.
Degtyaryov DP-28
Only seen for a few seconds onscreen, a Degtyaryov DP-28 is seen being fired by German soldiers.
Launchers
Panzerfaust
German soldiers and Volkssturm militia (including Hitler Youth child soldiers) are seen armed with Panzerfausts to defend Berlin against Red Army tanks. Hitler Youth child soldier Peter Kranz (Donevan Gunia) is seen with one.
Explosives
Model 24 Stielhandgranate
Model 24 Stielhandgranates can be seen being passed out to Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS soldiers as they prepare to defend the Reichstag.
Model 39 Eihandgranate
SS-Reichsarzt Ernst-Robert Grawitz (Christian Hoening) uses two Model 39 Eihandgranates to commit suicide.
F-1 Hand Grenade
What appears to be an F-1 hand grenade is used by one Soviet soldier.
Heavy Weapons
3.7cm Pak 35/36
An abandoned 3.7cm Pak 35/36 can be seen in the streets of Berlin.
76mm Divisional Gun M1942 (ZiS-3)
The 76mm Divisional Gun M1942 (ZiS-3) can be seen in the streets of Berlin.
85mm Air Defense Gun M1939 (52-K)
Although clearly meant to be a Flak 18, a Soviet 85mm Air Defense Gun M1939 (52-K) is used by Hitler Youth members in the streets of Berlin.
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