Half a Chance

Cover of the German DVD

Half a Chance (French: Une chance sur deux) is a French 1998 action comedy movie starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon and Vanessa Paradis.

The basic plot is about Alice Tomaso (Paradis), a young car thief, who is in search of her father. As she finds out that both car dealer and former mercenary Léo Brassac (Belmondo) and businessman and former master thief Julien Vignal (Delon) are possibly responsible, she accidentally runs into the business of Russian mafia boss Anatoli Sharkov, who just plans to expand his drug deals.

The following weapons were used in the film Half a Chance:

Makarov PM

The Trenchcoat Assassin (Aleksandr Yakovlev) uses a Makarov PM pistol when he shoots one of Sharkov's henchmen.

Russian Makarov PM - 9x18mm Makarov

The subtitle reads "No, you will stay here, forever".

Beretta 92FS Inox

A Beretta 92FS Inox is the weapon of choice of Julien (Alain Delon). In the climax of the movie, Julien also fires it Akimbo-style.

Beretta 92FS INOX - 9x19mm.

Julien with his Beretta 92FS Inox.

Beretta 93R

Léo (Jean-Paul Belmondo) uses a Beretta 93R throughout the movie.

Beretta 93R - 9x19mm

Léo holds the Beretta 93R, while Julien is seen again with the 92F Inox.

A closeup on Léo's 93R.

Mauser C96

Léo's has a richly decorated Mauser C96 pistol in his arsenal.

Mauser C96 in silver finish - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Léo holds the C96, while Julien picks up the Thompson.

Unidentified Pistol

The Trenchcoat Killer uses an Unidentified Pistol (any Walther Model, perhaps?) when he runs into the trap of Léo, Julien and Alice.

The Trenchcoat Killer shortly before running into the trap

The pistol lying beside him. Oddly, the killer reappears later

Unidentified Revolver #1

When Léo and Julien find the guard of Léo's garage shot, an Unidentified Revolver #1 lies next to him

The dead guard with his revolver

Unidentified Revolver #2

Alice (Vanessa Paradis) receives "training" from Léo with an Unidentified Revolver #2.

Alice with the revolver

Few stills later

Manurhin MR-73 Gendarmerie

Police investigator Carella (Eric Defosse) has a Manurhin MR-73 Gendarmerie as a sidearm, but is accidentally wounded by it when Alice fires it at him, having found the revolver when he took a shower and being unaware of his mission.

Carella being threatened with his own MR-73

H&K MP5

A undeterminable variant of the H&K MP5 is used by the Motorcycle Assassins in the beginning of the movie.

As the motorcycles show up, the silhouette of a MP5 is seen

One of the killers with his MP5. The magazine looks old, doesn't it?

Mini Uzi

Besides the MP5, the Motorcycle Assassins also use at least one Mini Uzi during the attack on the deal between Sharkov and Colombian drug dealer Angel Vargas (Luis Jaime-Cortez).

The Mini Uzi being fired during the attack. It's hard to determine which of the riders is actually holding the Uzi, but actually it should be the rear one

Thompson M1928

A Thompson M1928 submachine gun with a drum magazine is picked up by Julien in Léo's weapon chamber.

Léo holds the C96, while Julien picks up the Thompson

Sa. Vz.61 Skorpion

A Czech Sa. Vz.61 Skorpion SMG is used by Anatoli Sharkov (Valeri Gatayev) throughout the movie, first appearing in the garage assassination and later during the final gunfight, where he fires it pointlessly at the helicopter.

Sharkov with the Skorpion

AK-74 variants

Several variants of the AK-74 assault rifle can be seen throughout the movie, but onfortunately we never get a clear shot of the whole weapon. However, it appears that no full-stock weapons have been used, reducing the possibilites to the AKS-74 series. A further shot shows the short barrel and the distinctive muzzle of the AKS-74U carbine version.

One of the thugs in the background holding an AK-74

The short barrel and the muzzle of the AKS-74U

SIG SG 543

The henchmen of Sharkov use several SIG SG 543 carbines with folding stocks during the final shootout.

The rear gunman holds a SG 543 carbine. Note the stock and the short barrel.

A close-up on the SG 543 gunman.

SIG SG 540

Beside the more prominent SG 543, few shots before also a long-barreled SIG SG 540 assault rifle can be seen. It should be noted that this weapon also has a folding stock.

As the defense is being organized, one man behind him holds a SG 540. Note the long barrel and the stock. The subtitle reads "Dispose at the positions. Shoot! They shall not approach the house! Fire!"

FN Minimi Para

A FN Minimi Para SAW is used in the final shootout, distinguishable by its short barrel. Oddly enough, the top handle disappears between two shots.

The Minimi lined up along the SG 543.

Note that the upper handle has disappeared.

M72 LAW

In order to stop the dynamite-laden bulldozer driven by Léo, the Trenchcoat Killer orders M72 LAWs to be fired against it.

A M72 being quickly brought into position in order to stop the bulldozer.

Unidentified Sniper Rifle

When Alice frantically drives back to Léo's hideout, the Russian henchmen fire at her with an Unidentified Sniper Rifle. Oddly, the weapon is shown to fire fully automatic.

Léo's Arsenal

When they decide to face up with the Russians, Léo shows Julien into his arsenal. Many weapons can be seen here, including a Walther WA 2000 sniper rifle, several AK-47 variants, a FN MAG machine gun, a Stielhandgrante hand grenade and even a PIAT anti-tank launcher.

To be seen: AK-47, a PIAT and a WA 2000, along with many more nice toys.

To be seen: A FN MAG and a Stielhandgranate.

Hand Grenades

When the Russians attack his hideout, Léo opens a crate of hand grenades and throws them at the Russians.

Léo unboxes the grenades. Note the French remarks on the crate.