Mesrine: Killer Instinct

Mesrine: Killer Instinct (2008) (Original title: L'instinct de mort

Mesrine: Killer Instinct is part 1 of a two-part 2008 French-Canadian "Mesrine" film series directed by Jean-François Richet and starring Vincent Cassel as the French criminal Jacques Mesrine. Based on Mesrine's autobiographical book "L'instinct de mort", Killer Instinct details Mesrine's rise in the Paris criminal underworld after serving in the army in Algeria, as well as his early exploits in Paris, and later in Quebec, Canada. Part 2 is known as Mesrine: Public Enemy Number 1.

The following firearms were used in the film Mesrine: Killer Instinct:

Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

M1911A1

Mesrine uses a M1911 pistol when serving in the French Military to shoot a prisoner in Algeria in the 1950s. Later, he acquires a nickel-plated M1911 in France that he uses for most of the movie.

Colt Government Model

Mesrine executes a prisoner in Algeria during the French-Algerian War

Upon Mesrine's return to France, he carries a nickel plated M1911A1

His own pistol is turned against him by his new boss, Guido (played by Gérard Depardieu) who lifted it from him when they hugged for the first time. This is the pistol that Mesrine uses throughout most of the rest of the movie.

MAS / MAC mle. 1950 pistol

Seen used by French Gendarmes to shoot at a car with Mesrine inside.

Smith & Wesson Model 28

Members of the Arizona Highway Patrol as seen wielding S&W Model 28 Revolvers during a high speed chase with Mesrine and his girlfriend during 1969 (when he is caught and returned to Quebec). The real life Mesrine was caught in Arkansas, not Arizona.

Smith & Wesson Model 60

During the High speed chase in Arizona in 1969, Jeanne Schneider (Cécile De France) attempts to use a S&W Model 60 when they hit the police roadblock, but Jacques Mesrine tells her to stop and throws the gun to the floor of the car. This particular version of the Model 60 is anachronistic to 1969.

Smith & Wesson Model 64

Smith & Wesson Model 1917

Smith & Wesson Model 19

A three inch barreled S&W Model 19 is seen akimbo with an anachronistic Beretta 92FS.

Beretta 92FS

Unknown Revolvers

During the bar-fight Mesrine pulls out a small revolver which he uses to shoot 1 of the thugs with twice. It is only seen very briefly, and only in this one scene. Anybody know this weapon?

Jean-Paul target shooting.

Same scene as above.

Unknown Silenced Pistols

Guido uses a silenced pistol to kill a rival.

Same scene from above, different angle.

Later on, both Guido and Paul are killed by an assassin also armed with a silenced pistol.

Submachine gun=

MAT-49

Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel) is shown using a MAT-49 submachine gun during his military service in Algeria.

MAT-49 submachinegun.

Mesrine is about to use this weapon to hit a prisoner during an interrogation during the war in Algeria.

The officer hands Mesrine his pistol to shoot the prisoner. The officer exchanges his pistol for the MAT-49

In Paris Mesrine is attacked by another gang, who shoot at him from a moving vehicle. It is difficult to tell what type of automatic weapon this is.

Uzi

During the shootout at the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul prison in Quebec, Mesrine throws an Uzi submachine gun into the prison yard in an attempt to enable the prisoners to escape.

Uzi 9mm.

During the final shootout, Mesrine throws weapons into the prison yard to try and enable a breakout. Only one weapon makes it, this Uzi with extra mags attached.

Most of the actors show good weapon handling skills, though this prisoner shoots down the barrel.

Rifle

Remington Model 700

Ruger Mini-14

Guards in the watchtowers at the prison are armed with Ruger Mini-14 rifles.

Standard Ruger Mini 14.

During the breakout attempt, most of the injuries and deaths are caused by the riflemen in the watchtowers armed with Mini 14s.

PostBan AR15 HBAR

Mesrine and his accomplice Jean-Paul Messier (Roy Dupuis) are armed with anachronistic PostBan AR15 HBAR rifles (most likely a Bushmaster XM15E2) when they attack the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul prison. Their rifles have multiple magazines taped together. What is unusual is that the filmmakers decided to use post ban AR-15 rifles (which was a cosmetic change forced on the gun industry in 1994 by the Clinton Administration, and has since been expired after 2004). The heavy barreled rifles have no flash hiders, muzzle threads or bayonet lugs. No military or police unit used these rifles. The use of these rifles is doubly anachronistic since the sequence takes place in the early 1970s.

M16A2.

Jean-Paul and with his M16A2.

File:MesrinesM16b.jpg

Mesrine firing his M16A2.

As the battle is quite long, the filmmakers take time to show both sides reloading which adds to the overall realism of the sequence.

Jean-Paul sustains a shoulder wound early in the battle and is unable to use his left arm.

Jean-Paul attempts to fire his M16A2 single handed, but his aim is ineffective as the rifle jumps around uncontrollably.

Shotguns

12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun

Paul (Gilles Lellouche) steals a 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun from an apartment that he and Mesrine rob in Paris. Mesrine's partner in Quebec, Jean-Paul Mercier (Roy Dupuis), also carries a double barreled shotgun when he is confronted by two park rangers in the forest.

Generic Double Barrel Shotgun picture

Paul (played by Gilles Lellouche)finds an antique shotgun during their first robbery in Paris.

After pretending to be police officers they walk away from the scene of the crime.

In Canada, Mesrine and his new partner Jean-Paul (played by Roy Dupuis) murder two elderly Park Rangers. Jean-Paul uses a double barreled shotgun.

After expending his two rounds Jean-Paul uses his side by side shotgun to bludgeon the Ranger to death.

Remington 870 Shotgun

The Park Rangers move forward with Remington 870 Shotguns

The Park Rangers, unaware of the gang's criminal past, walk up with Remington 870 shotguns.

Manufrance Rapid

Mesrine uses a cut down French 12 Gauge slide-action Manufrance Rapid shotgun during the casino robbery. This hunting shotgun usually had an extended magazine. It is essentially a French copy of the Remington 870 with an aluminum receiver. Sold in the USA during the 1970s as La Salle Riot Gun and later sold imported by F.I.E.

Sawed-off shotgun Rapid used in the Casino robbery in Paris.

Same weapon as above.

Same weapon as above.

Smith & Wesson 916A Shotgun

His girlfriend Jeanette Schneider (Cécile De France) wield a S&W 916A Shotgun with extended magazine tube during the casino robbery.

Same weapon as above.

J.C. Higgins Model 20

Ithaca 37

Unknown Pump Shotguns

Most of the prison guards seem to be armed with Winchester 1300 shotguns. Later, two park rangers who come upon Mesrine and his accomplices in the forest are also armed with 1300s.

Winchester 1300.

Reloading during the battle - this looks like a Remington 870?

Shooting in the air to get all the prisoners on the deck.

Guards about to be blindsided by the prisoner with the Uzi...

After escaping prison in Canada Mesrine and Jean-Paul go on a bank robbery spree. He is seen here carrying a pistol grip shotgun.

Other Weapons

Mk 2 hand grenade

Mercier uses a Mk 2 hand grenade to destroy a police cruiser when he and Mesrine decide to abort the attack on the prison.

Mk 2 hand grenade.

Jean-Paul uses a grenade to destroy the police cruiser, allowing them to escape.

Same weapon as above.