The Last Emperor

The Last Emperor

Theatrical poster

Country	PR China Italy UK
Directed by	Bernardo Bertolucci
Release Date	1987
Language	English Mandarin Japanese Russian
Studio	Recorded Picture Company (RPC) Hemdale Film Corporation AAA Soprofilms Yanco Films Limited
Distributor	Columbia Pictures

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Puyi	John Lone
Wan Jung	Joan Chen
Reginald 'R. J.' Johnston	Peter O'Toole
Chen Pao Shen	Ric Young

The Last Emperor is a 1987 biographical epic drama directed by Bernardo Bertolucci that chronicles the ultimately tragic life of China's last emperor, Puyi (known in the West as Pu Yi). The film follows the emperor (portrayed as an adult by John Lone) from being worshipped by a billion people to his life as a humble gardener in the People's Republic of China. The film was highly acclaimed and would subsequently be nominated for nine Academy Awards and would receive all nine, including the Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.

The following weapons were used in the film The Last Emperor:

FN Model 10

Upon hearing the Forbidden City's corrupt eunuchs have burnt down a storehouse to cover their tracks, Puyi (John Lone) pulls out an FN Model 10 and holds it on the servant who told him the news. This pistol isn't seen in the rest of the film.

FN Model 1910 - .380 ACP

Puyi pulls the FN Model 10 pistol out of his robe when told about the storehouse.

Glisenti Model 1910

Amidst the confusion of the Russian invasion of Manchukuo (a Japanese puppet state in Manchuria, whose position of head of state was offered to Puyi) in August 1945, one of Puyi's Japanese advisers commits suicide with a Glisenti Model 1910 pistol.

Glisenti Model 1910 - 9mm Glisenti

The Glisenti Model 1910 is seen in the hand of the Japanese adviser.

Hanyang Type 88

The Kuomintang troops who force Puyi out of the Forbidden City in 1924 are all armed with Hanyang Type 88 rifles, as distinguishable by their slightly curved magazines. The Hanyang was an unlicensed copy of the Gewehr 1888 Commission Rifle. The rifles could be rubber props or badly treated Chinese surplus, since they lack a bayonet lug.

Hanyang Type 88 rifle - 7.92x57mm

The Kuomintang troops who force Puyi out of the Forbidden City in 1924 are all armed with Hanyang Type 88 rifles.

The troops with their rifles open the gate to allow Puyi to leave.

The Kuomintang troops armed with Hanyang Type 88 rifles while in the Forbidden City.

Gewehr 98

At least one Kuomintang soldier is armed with a German Mauser Gewehr 98.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Note the soldier at center right has a Gew.98 slung over his shoulder, distinguished by the Lange-Vizier rear sight, short handguard, and bolt handle located at the rear of the receiver.

Type 99 Light Machine Gun

The two soldiers making up Puyi's bodyguard in Manchukuo are both armed with Type 99 Machine Guns.

Type 99 light machine gun - 7.7x58mm Arisaka

Puyi sulks around the Wei Huang Gong palace as the Russian army draws closer. His bodyguard have the LMGs.

The (former) Empress Ran Wong drunkenly makes her way up the stairs of the palace.

A bodyguard with a Type 99 stands watch as Puyi tries to flee Manchukuo.

Hotchkiss Gun

When leaving the Forbidden City, the Kuomintang has a pair of armored cars escort Puyi and his entourage out. Both of the cars are armed with Hotchkiss machine guns.

M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun with Tripod

Browning M1919

Browning M1919 machine guns are seen outside Puyi's residence in Manchuria.

PPSh-41

At the beginning of the film, the guards at the Chinese political prison where Puyi is being kept are armed with PPSh-41s fitted with stick magazines. The Soviet paratroops who capture Puyi at the end of World War II are also armed with the submachine gun.