From Hell to Victory

From Hell to Victory English Release Poster Country Italy France Spain Directed by Umberto Lenzi Release Date 1979 Language Italian Studio José Frade Producciones Cinematográficas S.A. Les Films Princesse Les Productions Jacques Roitfeld Main Cast Character Actor Brett Rosson George Peppard Maurice Bernard George Hamilton Jürgen Dietrich Horst Buchholz Dick Sanders Jean-Pierre Cassel Ray MacDonald Sam Wanamaker Fabienne Anny Duperey Nicole Levine Capucine Jim Rosson Ray Lovelock

From Hell to Victory (Italian title Contro 4 bandiere ("Under four flags"), French title De l'enfer à la victoire ("From hell to victory"), Spanish title De Dunquerque a la victoria ("From Dunkirk to victory")) is a 1979 Italian-French-Spanish World War II movie directed by Umberto Lenzi (credited as Hank Milestone). The story traced the fate of six men and women who were close friends in pre-war Paris but the war moved them on opposite sides of the front.

The movie was filmed in Spain which affected the screen weapons. It's also worth noting that Lenzi heavily reused footage from two Italian-Spanish war movies, Dirty Heroes (1967) and Eagles over London (1969).

The following weapons were used in the film From Hell to Victory:

Handguns

Walther P38

Walther P38 pistols are seen in hands of German officers and French Resistance fighters.

Walther P38 WWII dated with black grips - 9x19mm

A French Resistance fighter holds a P38.

A Gestapo agent with P38.

An SS officer threatens a French curé.

Col. Jürgen Dietrich (Horst Buchholz) with a P38.

An SS officer (Howard Vernon) with a P38 in holster.

Astra 400/600

In one scene a French Resistance fighter assassinated a German high officer with an Astra pistol. It's hard to say if it is an Astra 400 or Astra 600.

Astra 400 - 9 x 23mm Bergmann / Largo

Astra 600 - 9x19mm

A Resistance fighter shows his pistol to Fabienne (Anny Duperey).

A close view of the pistol.

1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol

While acting in French Resistance, Fabienne (Anny Duperey) carries a 1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol.

1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol - 6.35mm

Fabienne draws her pistol during the shootout on Eiffel Tower.

Another view of the pistol.

Jürgen Dietrich (Horst Buchholz) finds the pistol in Fabienne's handbag.

Fabienne carries her pistol in stocking. The shape of the grip can be seen.

A Gestapo agent holds Fabienne's pistol.

Mauser HSc

A suppressed Mauser HSc is used by Maj. Brett Rosson (George Peppard) during the operation against the German plant of the fuel for V2 missiles.

Mauser HSc with plastic grips - .32 ACP

Rosson in diving suit appears from the water intake, holding his suppressed pistol.

Another view of the pistol.

Rosson fires at a guard.

M1911A1

In several scenes US officers and warrant officers carry pistols in holsters. The pistols appear to be M1911A1s but it's also possible that they are really Spanish Star Model B pistols.

World War II Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP. This was an issued U.S. Army pistol with parkerized finish, thus the official designation of M1911A1

Star Model B Pistol, blued finish - 9x19mm

Sgt. Jim Rosson (Ray Lovelock) carries a pistol in holster during the commando raid.

Maj. Brett Rosson (George Peppard) carries a pistol in holster in the final scene in liberated Paris.

Unidentified pistol

In one scene Sgt. Jim Rosson (Ray Lovelock) is seen with a pistol. It looks smaller than M1911A1 or Star Model B.

Jim Rosson holds his pistol during the battle.

Submachine Guns

Sten Mk II

Sten Mk II is used by Maurice Bernard (George Hamilton) during all his war career (except for the final scene when he is armed with a Thompson). Brett Rosson (George Peppard) is seen with a Sten during the battle in Normandy. Stens are also carried by British soldiers in several scenes.

Sten Mk II - 9x19mm

Sten Mk II (Canadian) - 9x19mm

A British soldier holds a Sten with a T-shaped buttstock.

Jim Rosson (Ray Lovelock) with a M1A1 Thompson and Maurice Bernard with Sten during the St. Nazaire Raid.

A close view of firing Sten.

Maurice reloads his Sten during the battle in Normandy.

Brett Rosson (in the middle) with a Sten.

M1A1 Thompson

Most American soldiers are armed with M1A1 Thompson SMGs, sometimes fitted with Cutts compensator.

M1A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP

M1A1 Thompson with 20-round magazine and Cutts compensator - .45 ACP

OSS unit lands in France. An M1A1 is seen at the right.

M1A1s with Cutts compensators are seen in the same scene.

Jim Rosson (Ray Lovelock) with Thompson and Maurice Bernard (George Hamilton) with Sten Mk II during the St. Nazaire Raid.

A soldier fires an M1A1 with Cutts compensator.

A centinel holds an M1A1 with Cutts compensator.

M1928A1 Thompson

M1928A1 Thompsons are also used by American soldiers.

M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP. This specimen has the sling swivel relocated to the top of the stock, a modification often made to Thompsons in British service.

An American soldier fires a Thompson. It lacks Cutts compensators.

An M1928A1 is seen in Maj. Brett Rosson's (George Peppard) office.

Two soldiers with M1928A1s.

A M1928-style rear sight is seen at the right.

Brett Rosson (George Peppard) and Maurice Bernard (George Hamilton) in the final scene in liberated Paris.

Unidentified Thompson

In several scenes Thompsons with foregrip are seen in hands of American soldiers. They can be M1921s or customised M1928s.

A soldier fires a Thompson with a foregrip.

A soldier holds an unloaded Thompson with a foregrip.

A soldier holds a Thompson with a foregrip at the background.

MP40

German soldiers carry MP40s in several scenes. During the operation against the German plant of the fuel for V2 missiles MP40s are used by Maj. Brett Rosson (George Peppard) and Holland Resistance fighters, including their leader Capt. Vanderkreut (Franco Fantasia).

MP40 submachine gun - 9x19mm

A German soldier fires an MP40 during the shootout with French Resistance fighters on the Eiffel Tower.

German soldiers with MP40s in Paris.

A British commando holds an MP40 during the St. Nazaire Raid.

A close view of the muzzle.

A German soldier fires at commandos.

A German soldier with MP40 in Nicole Levine's estate.

A Holland Resistance fighter holds an MP40.

Brett Rosson fires an MP40.

MP38

Some MP38s are also seen in hands of German soldiers.

MP38 - 9x19mm

A German soldier fires an MP38.

M3 "Grease Gun"

During the battle in Normandy in June 1944 some US Army soldiers carry M3 "Grease Gun" SMGs.

M3 "Grease Gun" - .45 ACP

Two soldiers with M3s are seen.

Unidentified submachine gun

During the battle in Normandy in June 1944 Sgt. Jim Rosson (Ray Lovelock) is seen with some submachine gun. It has a pistol grip and a foregrip and lacks the buttstock or has a folding one. It bears some resemblance with Thompson but the grip and the magazine well are too far from each other.

Rifles

Berthier Mle 1916 Carbine

During the Dunkirk evacuation Maurice Bernard (George Hamilton) is seen with a Berthier Mle 1916 Carbine.

Berthier Model 1916 Carabine

Maurice covers from German air attack.

M43 Spanish Mauser

M43 Spanish Mauser rifles are seen in several scenes in hands of French, German and American soldiers, standing for correct MAS-36s, Karabiner 98ks and Springfield M1903s. They can be identified due to typical auxiliary bayonet lugs and straight bolt handles.

Spanish Mauser M43 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

French soldiers carry M43 rifles while retreating to the seashore during the Dunkirk evacuation.

A close view of a rifle in the same scene.

French soldiers carry their rifles over heads.

A man of Free French Forces commando unit holds a Mauser rifle at the left.

German soldiers with Mauser rifles burst into Nicole Levine's estate.

Karabiner 98k

Some German soldiers carry Karabiner 98k rifles.

Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German soldier executed Nicole Levine. Note the turned down bolt handle.

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III*

British soldiers carry Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifles in several scenes.

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* - .303 British

A soldier with SMLE is seen during the Dunkirk evacuation.

A close view of the barrel.

Numerous Lee-Enfields are seen in hands of British soldiers on board of a ship.

An SMLE is seen at the left during the battle in Normandy.

M1 Carbine

During the battle in Normandy in June 1944 some US Army and Free French Forces soldiers carry M1 Carbines.

World War II Era M1 Carbine, with Dark Walnut Stock, 'L' peep sight and no bayonet lug - .30 Carbine - correct for most of WWII, shown with khaki sling and oiler and a period twin magazine pouch for buttstock

A soldier drops his weapon, hit by shell explosion.

A soldier with M1 Carbine is seen at the right.

Machine Guns

MG34

An MG34 is used by German soldiers during the commando raid on a bridge in France.

MG34 with front and rear sights folded down - 7.92x57mm Mauser

An MG34 fires at British commandos.

MG42

An MG42 on AA mounting is seen during the operation against the German plant of the fuel for V2 missiles.

MG42 Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser

German soldiers fire at a British Mosquito bomber.

A close view of the barrel.

ZB26

Several ZB26 light machine guns are used by both German and American soldiers during the battle in Normandy in June 1944.

ZB26 Light Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm

A German soldier runs with a ZB26 machine gun.

Two machine guns are planted near a burning tank.

A GI (at the left) mows down German soldiers with his machine gun. In this case ZB26 stands for a BAR.

Schwarzlose Machine Gun

A Schwarzlose Machine Gun, standing for Vickers, is used by British soldiers in Normandy.

Czechoslovak Schwarzlose VZ 24 Machine Gun - 7.92x57 Mauser

Browning M1919A4E1

Browning M1919A4E1 machine guns are mounted on M41 Walker Bulldog tanks that appear as German tanks.

Browning M1919A4E1 - .30-06 Springfield

A frontal machine gun on M41.

MG15

MG15 machine guns are mounted on CASA 2.111 (Spanish license-build version of Heinkel He 111) bomber planes in nose, dorsal and ventral positions. In one scene a twin AA mounting of MG15 is seen.

MG15 machine gun with 75-round double drum 7.92x57mm Mauser

He 111 (CASA 2.111) on the airfield. Dorsal and ventral mounting can be seen.

A ventral mounting can be seen.

A nose machine gun is seen during the air raid on London.

MG15 in twin AA mounting.

2cm FlaK 30

A 2cm FlaK 30 is seen on the positions of US troops during the battle in Normandy in June 1944.

2 cm FlaK 30 - 20x138mm B

A Flak 30 on position.

Another view of the same gun.

Hispano-Suiza HS.404

Hispano-Suiza HS.404 auto cannons are wing-mounted on Spitfire and HA-1112 (Spanish license-build version of Bf.109) fighter planes.

Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20mm with ammo drum

British Spitfires on the airfield.

Dick Sanders (Jean-Pierre Cassel) piloted his Spitfire.

Karl Wessel's (Georges Claisse) Bf.109 (HA-1112) fires wing cannons in night air battle.

A barrel of Hispano can be seen.

Other Weapons

Mills Bomb

A Mills Bomb is used by Maurice Bernard (George Hamilton) during the St. Nazaire Raid.

No. 36M Mk.I "Mills Bomb" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade.

Maurice readies to throw a grenade in a German pillbox.

A close view of the grenade in a second before explosion.

Valero M1933 Mortar

Numerous mortars are used by both German and American soldiers during the battle in Normandy in June 1944. They appear to be Spanish Valero M1933, identified by the unique shape of the barrel support.

Spanish Valero M1933 mortar - 81mm

Germans fire a mortar.

Loading.

GIs return fire.

Another view of the American mortar.

A close view of the barrel.

AT Rocket Launcher

During the battle in Normandy in June 1944 US troops use numerous AT rocket launchers. They bear resemblance with both Panzerschreck and Bazooka. Supposedly they are Spanish M-65 rocket launchers, visually modified by adding blast shields and Panzerschreck-style grips. Similar looking props are seen in Spanish filmed Lost Command and Battle of the Bulge.

RPzB 54 "Panzerschreck" rocket launcher - 88mm

Spanish M65 Rocket Launcher.

US soldier with launcher on position.

Maurice Bernard (George Hamilton) aims at a German tank.

Two rocket launchers repel the attack of German tanks. These props lack blast shields.

A close view of the same scene.

An OSS group under the command of Maj. Brett Rosson (George Peppard) is equipped with two launchers.

One of Rosson's men aims his launcher.

US paratrooper with launcher.

Flamethrower

A flamethrower of unknown model is used by US troops during the battle in Normandy in June 1944.

45 mm anti-tank gun M1937 (53-K)

During the battle in Normandy in June 1944 several AT guns are seen on US troops position. They appear to be Soviet-manufactured 45-mm 53-K guns. In reality captured 53-K guns were used by Wehrmacht in coastal defence, including the Atlantic Wall, so such gun could be captured and reused by GIs. Also it can be used as a substitution for unavailable American 37-mm AT gun M3.

M1937 (53-K) Soviet anti-tank gun - 45 mm (1.77 in)

AT guns on position.

A view from the barrel.

An AT gun supports the US paratroopers.

Trivia

Artillery

A British AA gun fires at German planes during the Dunkirk evacuation.

Unidentified small caliber AA gun is seen abandoned during the Dunkirk evacuation.

A field gun is seen abandoned during the Dunkirk evacuation.

Tanks and Armoured Cars

An M8 Greyhound appears as a German armoured car.

An M47 Patton appears as a German tank.

Two M41 Walker Bulldog as German tanks.

M41s in attack.

French Poster