Four Sons

Four Sons Movie Poster Country United States Directed by John Ford Release Date February 12, 1928 Language Silent Studio Fox Film Corporation Distributor Fox Film Corporation Main Cast Character Actor Mother Bernle Margaret Mann Joseph "Dutch" Bernle James Hall Johann Bernle Charles Morton Franz Bernle Francis X. Bushman Jr. Andreas Bernle George Meeker American Police Officer John Wayne

Four Sons is a 1928 World War I silent film directed and produced by John Ford. The story takes place in Germany during the war where a Bavarian mother Bernle deals with her four young sons, three of them fighting for the German Empire and the other joins the U.S. Army. The movie is based on the novel "Grandmother Bernle Learns Her Letters" by I. A. R. Wylie and features a young John Wayne in an uncredited role as an American police officer.

The following weapons were used in the film Four Sons:

Pistols

Colt M1911

An American officer carries a pistol that has the silhouette of a Colt M1911.

Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 ACP

The officer advances through No Man's Land.

"What's eatin' yuh, Dutch? Let's go, we movin' up!"

Luger P08

A German Captain (Archduke Leopold of Austria) gives Colonel von Stomm (Earle Foxe) a Luger P08 to shoot himself.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm

"A parting gift from the regiment, Herr Colonel, to speed you to a better world!"

"Shall we say, in ten minutes?"

Von Stomm readies himself with the pistol in hand.

Rifles

Mauser Gewehr 1898

German soldiers including Franz (Francis X. Bushman Jr.) and Johann Bernle (Charles Morton) carry Mauser Gewehr 1898 rifles through the movie. Andreas (George Meeker) carries also a Gewehr over his shoulder.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Franz (Francis X. Bushman Jr.) and other soldiers marching with Gewehr 1898s.

A barracks Guard with Gewehr 98 equipped with Seitengewehr 98/05 bayonet seapks with Mother Bernle (Margaret Mann).

Springfield M1903

During the scene at the ninth of November, Joseph "Dutch" Bernle (James Hall) and other American Doughboys are armed with Springfield M1903 rifles.

Springfield M1903 Mk 1 - .30-06

Joseph approaches cautiously the German Foxhole with his Springfield at the ready.

He lies beside a wounded German soldier whom he offers something to drink.

A behind the scenes picture shows James Hall on the right with the Springfield rifle; next to the director John Ford and fellow actor George Meeker.

Mauser Karabiner 98AZ

A Mauser 98AZ Carbine is very briefly seen during the suicide of von Stomm.

Mauser Karabiner 98AZ - 7.92x57mm.

The soldier in the left background holds the Kar98AZ. Note the larger front sight.

Another view of the carbine that shows the stacking hook.

Machine Guns

Maxim MG 08

A Maxim MG08 is carried by German soldiers at the railway station. Another broken Maxim is later seen in a crater.

Maxim MG08 on 'sledge' mount - 7.92x57mm Mauser

German soldiers transport the Maxim into the train carriage.

Joseph bends over the broken Maxim; the gun is separated from the Schlittenlafette 08 mount.