Hangmen Also Die!

Hangmen Also Die! Movie Poster Country United States Directed by Fritz Lang Release Date 1943 Language English German Studio Arnold Pressburger Films Distributor United Artists Main Cast Character Actor Dr. Frantiček Svoboda / Karel Vaněk Brian Donlevy Prof. Stepan Novotny Walter Brennan Masha Novotny Anna Lee Emil Czaka Gene Lockhart Gestapo Insp. Alois Gruber Alexander Granach

Hangmen Also Die! is a largely forgotten masterpiece directed by Fritz Lang (M, The Big Heat, Metropolis, Spies) and co-written with Bertolt Brecht, the great German writer’s only film screenplay. Starring Brian Donlevy, Walter Brennan, Anna Lee, Gene Lockhart, and Alexander Granach, the film is a fictional account of the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia and “Butcher of Prague,” and of the German retaliation against the Czech people. Released during the war, the story suggests that the assassination was the work of the Czech Communist Party, when in fact and unknown at the time, the assassination was arranged by British and Czech secret services. The film’s heroic portrayal of Czech communists and Brecht’s own socialist sympathies, which landed him on Hollywood’s black-list, helped relegate this film to the dusty shelves of the studio. Kino Cinema helped restore the film to its rightful place in the canon of Lang’s great pictures.

The following weapons were used in the film Hangmen Also Die!:

Webley & Scott Metropolitan Police Pistol

Throughout the film, a Webley & Scott Metropolitan Police Pistol is seen as the assassin’s pistol.

Webley & Scott Metropolitan Police Pistol

Dr. Frantiček Svoboda (Brian Donlevy) turns the assassin's pistol over to the Czech Communist Party Secretary.

The Gestapo discovers the assassin's pistol.

1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol

Throughout the film, Gestapo Insp. Alois Gruber (Alexander Granach) carries a 1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol.

1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol

Inspector Gruber gets the drop on Dr. Frantiček Svoboda (Brian Donlevy).

Inspector Gruber warns the suspects.

Inspector Gruber phones the Gestapo.

Luger P08

Throughout the film, SS NCO carry a Luger P08.

Lugar P08

Inspector Gruber confronts Dr. Frantiček Svoboda / Karel Vaněk.

Unidentified revolver

A Gestapo inspector during arrest of resistance members in a pub pulls an unidentified revolver.

A Gestapo inspector drew his revolver and shoots at a secretary of Communist party.

One of the resistance fighters drags with a Gestapo inspector about his revolver.

Thompson submachine gun

Throughout the film, German Schutzstaffel (SS) carry a Thompson submachine guns mocked up as MP40.

Colt M1921A Thompson with 20-round magazine - .45 ACP

MP40 submachine gun - 9x19mm

Schutzstaffel protect the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, Reinhard Heydrich (Hans Heinrich von Twardowski).

Note the Thompson's bolt actuator on top of the receiver in this shot. The length of the barrel is also longer than that of a real MP40.

Inspector Gruber searches Dr. Frantiček Svoboda / Karel Vaněk's apartment.

Schutzstaffel searches in Emil Czaka's vila.

Gewehr 1898

Throughout the film, German soldiers and SS men carry a Mauser Gewehr 1898 rifles.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Schutzstaffel forces protect Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, Reinhard Heydrich.

Schutzstaffel forces with rifles in hand search for the assassin, hiding in the dark.

SS officer question eyewitnesses, his men are equipped with Gewehr 98s.

German soldiers guarding the lattice carry Mauser Gewehr 1898 on their shoulders.