The following weapons were used in the film Hotel Rwanda:
Handguns
Beretta 92
A Beretta 92 pistol makes several appearances in the film in the hands of many characters. This particular Beretta is the first model produced (and the sole reason why someone should never list a Beretta as a "Beretta 92" when they can't tell if it is an F or FS). and it is somewhat strange to see it so actively used during this event (which only takes place in 1994, making it a relatively new weapon). The first of these users is a Rwandan Army commander who draws his sidearm and orders Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) to execute his friends for being "Tutsi Cockroaches", but he manages to bribe the commander into letting them go. One of the Canadian UN peacekeepers under Colonel Oliver's (Nick Nolte) command also is seen armed with a Beretta 92. Another random Rwandan officer is seen waking up Paul somewhat unpleasantly with the barrel of his 92. The last of these users is General Bizimungu (Fana Mokoena), who fires his 92 into the air as he orders his men to rush back to the hotel to stop the Rwandan attackers.
Beretta 92, the first model produced, noted by rounded trigger guard, butt located magazine release, and frame mounted safety (pre-decocking safety) - 9x19mm Parabellum
The Rwandan commander orders Paul to execute his friends with his Beretta 92. He declines, claiming he doesn't use guns to which the commander responds by firing his gun into the air to show Paul how "easy" it is.
The commander holds his Beretta 92 to Paul's head.
Rwandan Captain (
Simo Mogwaza) holding his Beretta 92 to Paul.
A Canadian UN peacekeeper with his Beretta 92 at the ready. It would make more sense if he had a Browning Hi-Power instead, like the Canadian soldier next to him accurately seems to have.
A Rwandan officer wakes up Paul by sticking the muzzle of his Beretta 92 in his face.
Paul stares down the barrel of the officers Beretta 92.
A Canadian UN peacekeeper tries to hold back surrounding Interahamwe with his Beretta 92 (it would make more sense if he had a Browning Hi-Power instead).
Gen. Bizimungu fires his Beretta 92 into the air as his men rush to save the hotel.
Beretta 92FS
While the Beretta 92 is the most prominently used Beretta, a Beretta 92FS is seen used by an Interahamwe trying to arrest Paul when the soldiers invade the hotel. Its strange form makes it look like a flashpaper or airsoft replica.
Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm Parabellum
An Interahamwe sticks his Beretta 92FS in Paul's face.
Browning Hi-Power
Colonel Oliver (Nick Nolte), commander of the UN peacekeeping forces, is seen using a Browning Hi-Power as his sidearm throughout the film. This is accurate as he is a Canadian officer and Canada's armed forces used the Browning Hi-Power as their sidearm at the time, and still do (a Canadian Inglis Hi-Power would be more appropriate, however). Oliver's character is based on Roméo Dallaire, the Canadian officer who commanded the UN peacekeeping force during the Rwandan genocide; at this point in his career, Dallaire was actually a major-general.
Classic Commercial Browning Hi-Power (Belgian manufacture) - 9x19mm
The Rwandan commander's Beretta 92 switches to a Browning Hi-Power.
Colonel Oliver holds back the surrounding Interahamwe with his Browning Hi-Power, firing it into the ground to keep them at bay.
Colonel Oliver with his Browning Hi-Power drawn as he drives the hotel refugees across the border.
Webley Mk. VI
An Interahamwe militiaman shoots out the tires of the UN truck trying to transport refugees with a Webley Mk. VI revolver, and then shoots down one of the Rwandan Army soldiers.
Webley Mk. VI - .455 Webley
An Interahamwe rebel shoots out the tires of a UN truck with a Webley Mk. VI.
Shotguns
Remington 870
An Interahamwe militiaman is seen with a Remington 870 shotgun, although it is hard to determine at such a distance.
A Rwandan rebel with a Remington 870 shotgun.
Double Barreled Shotgun
An unknown 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun with exposed hammers is seen in the hands of one of the Interahamwe militiamen.
J. Stevens & Company 1878 shotgun - 12 gauge
An Interahamwe herds out refugee children with a double barreled shotgun in hand.
An Interahamwe with the double barrel shotgun.
Single Barrel Shotgun
One of the Interahamwe militiamen is seen armed with what looks like a Izhmekh IZh-K single barrel shotgun made by Izhmekh of Russia.
An Interahamwe member taunts UN peacekeepers with his Baikal Single Barrel Shotgun.
The same Interahamwe with his shotgun.
An Interahamwe with a shotgun.
Submachine Guns
Uzi Carbine
A Belgian army officer is seen armed with an Uzi Carbine. This weapon is a civilian gun though, and would not have been issued to actual Belgian troops, so it is an inaccuracy.
IMI Uzi Carbine Model A - 9x19mm Parabellum
Colonel Oliver argues with the Belgian officer armed with an Uzi carbine.
A Belgian soldier with an Uzi Carbine to the right.
Rifles
Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III
An Interahamwe militiaman is seen with a Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III.
Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III - .303 British
A Rwandan rebel with a Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III.
Berthier Mle 1916 Carbine
An Interahamwe militiaman is seen with a Berthier Mle 1916 carbine.
Berthier Model 1916 Carabine - 8x50mmR Lebel
A Rwandan rebel with a Berthier Mle 1916.
An Interahamwe militiaman with a Berthier Mle 1916 on the right.
Automatic Rifles
AK Variants
The AK variants are the most common weapons of the Rwandan soldiers and the Rwandan Army, and come in many different models including Egyptian Maadi AKMs (modified with Russian parts kits), Polish dark-wood kBks, and Norinco Type 56s.
Both of these Rwandan soldiers are armed with AKMS variants when they pull a man out of his house in the night and beat him in the street.
A Rwandan soldier with an AKMS with two mags taped together "jungle-style".
Egyptian Maadi AKM - 7.62x39mm
A Rwandan soldier guards Paul with an Egyptian Maadi AKM.
The same Rwandan soldier with his AKM.
East German MPi-KMS-72 with sling and side-folding stock - 7.62x39mm
A Rwandan soldier armed with an East German MPi-KMS. (AKMS)
Close up on the barrel of a Polish kBk AKM.
A Rwandan soldier with a Maadi AKM.
An Rwandan Army soldier with a Polish AKM guards the hotel entrance.
A Toyota Land Cruiser full of Rwandan Army soldiers, all armed with Polish AKMs.
A Rwandan Army soldier with an Polish AKM holds back the Interahamwe.
A soldier in the hotel with an Egyptian AKM.
A Rwandan Army soldier fires his AKM into the ceiling to stop the Interahamwe.
Norinco Type 56 - 7.62x39mm
A Tutsi rebel fires his Norinco Type 56 at the Interahamwe, to cover the as refugees try to leave the country.
Tutsi rebels with AKMs. The rebel to the left has an Egyptian Maadi, the rest have Polish kBk AKMs.
Vektor R4
Rwandan Army soldiers carry Vektor R4 assault rifles (not surprising as the movie was filmed in South Africa). This is historically accurate as R4 rifles (South African made versions of the Galil ARM) were imported for use with the Rwandan National Army in 1992. Some of the Kalashnikovs in the film are actually Converted R4 rifles, as indicated by the Galil magazines and machined receivers.
Vektor R4 - 5.56x45mm NATO
A Rwandan Army soldier armed with a R5 carbine, a license produced version of the Galil SAR made by Armscor of South Africa.
A soldier armed with an IMI Galil, fitted with a rifle grenade.
A soldier with a Galil slung over his back.
A soldier fires his Galil into the air to hold back the Interahamwe.
The Rebel in the middle has a R4, the South African version of the Galil.
A Rwandan soldier approaches Paul's house with a converted South African R4 in hand, indicated by the Galil magazine.
A Rwandan soldier guards the hotel entrance with his AK carbine. This particular model looks like an R4 Rifle that was converted to resemble a Krinkov.
A guard in Gen. Bizimungu's officer armed with the same Krinkov type converted R4.
A soldier in Gen. Bizimungu's Jeep armed with a R4 conversion.
An Interahamwe armed with a R4 conversion.
FAMAS F1
The French soldiers of the European Intervention Force that arrive to evacuate foreign expatriates are armed with FAMAS F1 rifles.
FAMAS F1 - 5.56x45mm NATO
French soldiers armed with a FAMAS F1 rifle.
The French soldier farthest right his a FAMAS. The one at the far left has the Intervention
A French soldier with his FAMAS.
The two French soldiers to the left have FAMAS rifles.
A French soldier walks with Paul with his FAMAS in hand.
A French soldier tries to hold back the refugees with his FAMAS in hand. Note that this FAMAS is clearly a rubber dummy version; the poor molding is plainly evident, especially by the lack of a rear sight on the carry handle. Also note that despite holding what's essentially a piece of rubber, the soldier is still showing excellent trigger discipline.
FN FAL
Belgian soldiers are largely seen using FN FAL Paratrooper rifles with folding stocks. In reality, Belgian troops were armed with FN FNC rifles.
FN FAL Paratrooper 50.63 - 7.62x51mm NATO
A Belgian soldier holds a para FN FAL.
A Belgian soldier with an FN FAL; the other soldier has a sniper rifle.
A Belgian soldier with an FN FAL.
Heckler & Koch G3A3 (South African configuration)
Both Rwandan soldiers and the Pakistani UN peacekeepers under Colonel Oliver's command are armed with South African-configuration Heckler & Koch G3A3 rifles. This is accurate as the Pakistani army used the G3 at the time, though their versions were built in Pakistan.
Heckler & Koch G3A3 (South African Configuration) - 7.62x51mm NATO
A Rwandan Army soldier behind Paul is armed with a Heckler & Koch G3A3.
Pakistani UN peacekeeper armed with G3A3s.
A Pakistani UN peacekeeper with a G3A3 slung over his shoulder.
Pakistani UN peacekeepers try to hold back the Interahamwe with their G3A3 rifles.
Machine Guns
FN MAG-58
FN MAG-58s are seen mounted on vehicles of both the Rwandan Army and the Belgian intervention force. One Rwandan soldier is seen carrying one as his primary support weapon.
FN MAG-58 - 7.62x51mm NATO
A Rwandan Army soldier mans an FN MAG 58 on top of their Land Rover. Note the steering wheel: Rwanda is a right-hand drive country so the steering wheel should be on the left side of the car (instead it is on the right, as the movie was filmed in South Africa which is a left-hand drive country).
A MAG-58 mounted on a Rwandan Army Land Rover.
A Rwandan soldier holds a man-portable MAG-58.
A MAG-58 on a Rwandan Army Land Rover.
A MAG-58 mounted on the Belgians' Land Rover.
Rheinmetall MG3
An MG3 is seen mounted on a French jeep, probably as a stand-in for the AA-52 machine gun that was standard issue for French forces in 1994.
Rheinmetall MG3 - 7.62x51mm NATO
A Rheinmetall MG3 is mounted on a French jeep.
Browning M1919A4
Browning M1919A4 machine guns are seen on some Belgian jeeps, and some rebel jeeps as well.
Browning M1919A4 on an M31C pedestal mount - .30-06 Springfield
A Browning M1919A4 is seen on a Belgian jeep.
An M1919A4 is seen on a Interahamwe technical.
The same jeep and M1919A4 in the background.
Browning M2HB
Browning M2HB machine guns are seen mounted on French jeeps and are used by the Rwandan Army soldiers to take shots at the rebel soldiers as they try to shoot the refugees crossing the border.
A Browning M2HB is seen mounted on a French jeep.
A Rwandan Army soldier fires a Browning M2HB.
Other
M26 "Lemon" hand grenade
An M26 hand grenade is attached to a Rwandan Army officer's uniform, and is seen on another army officer's belt.
A Rwandan Army officer with an M26 grenade on his jacket.
An M26 grenade is seen on the officer's belt.
Mk. 2 hand grenade
A Mk. 2 hand grenade is seen on the officer's belt.
A Mk. 2 grenade on the officer's belt.
RPG-7
During the night, Interahamwe militiamen are seen firing an RPG, likely an RPG-7 at the hotel. Luckily for the refugees inside, only a storage room is destroyed.
A Rwandan rebel readies his RPG.
Join our Discord!
