Midway (1976)

Midway (1976)

Midway is the 1976 World War II film that recounted the events of one of the most significant naval battles fought in the Pacific during the war. Telling the story from both sides, an all-star cast was assembled for the film including Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, James Coburn, Hal Holbrook, Robert Mitchum, and Toshirô Mifune. Also notable were early performances from Erik Estrada and Tom Selleck.

The movie makes use of both wartime color stock footage from 1942 newsreels, and footage recorded for other movies including Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, Away All Boats, Battle of Britain (including some footage of exploding German aircraft) and Tora! Tora! Tora!. Almost all carrier scenes, including some of Japanese carriers, show the USS Lexington (CV-16), which would later play Japanese and American carriers again in Pearl Harbor.

In a Q&A session for the movie Independence Day: Resurgence recorded in May 2016, Roland Emmerich announced that his next project would be a remake of Midway.

The following weapons were used in the film Midway (1976):

M1928A1 Thompson

US Navy personnel on Midway Island including Captain Cyril Simard (Larry Pennell) and his aide (Tom Selleck) are seen carrying the M1928A1 Thompson.

Colt M1921A Thompson - .45 ACP

On the right, Captain Cyril Simard (Larry Pennell) and his aide (Tom Selleck) are seen carrying M1928A1 Thompsons during the attack on Midway Island.

Springfield M1903

During the attack on Midway Island, US Marine Corps personnel use M1903 Springfield bolt-action rifles.

M1903 Springfield .30-06

A Marine with the M1903 Springfield during the attack on Midway.

Browning AN/M2

The Browning AN/M2 is mainly seen used as the flexible rear gun on US Navy Dauntless Dive Bombers.

Browning AN/M2, flexible mount - 30-06.

The tailgunner fires the Browning AN/M2.

Browning M2 Aircraft Heavy Machine Gun

The Browning M2 Aircraft heavy machine gun is used by US Marine Corps personnel defending the island of Midway as well as the primary armament of U.S. fighter aircraft.

Browning M2 aircraft heavy machine gun .50 BMG

The Browning M2 Aircraft heavy machine gun is seen being loaded by Marines preparing to defend Midway.

Browning M2 Water Cooled

The water-cooled version of the Browning M2HB machine gun is seen used on the US Navy battleships and carriers during the battle.

Browning M2 Water Cooled - .50 BMG

The water-cooled M2 is seen in the background.

A sailor defends the island with the Browning M2. This is actually footage taken from the film Tora! Tora! Tora!.

Oerlikon 20mm Cannon

Oerlikon 20mm Cannon also are seen used on US Navy ships during the battle, including the three surviving aircraft carriers Enterprise, Yorktown, and Hornet.

Oerlikon Cannon - 20mm.

Oerlikon 20mm Cannon also are seen used on a US Navy aircraft carrier during the battle. This is wartime stock footage.

Type 97 Aircraft Machine Gun

The Japanese A6M "Zero" fighters that engage US Navy planes are seen armed with Type 97 Aircraft machine guns. This is not the same as the Imperial Japanese Army Type 97 light machine gun.

Type 97 aircraft machine gun - 7.7x56mm R

The Japanese A6M "Zero" fighters that engage US Navy planes are seen armed with Type 97 Aircraft machine guns.

Type 1 Heavy Machine Gun (Mocked up Browning M2)

Japanese sailors defending their carriers from the US attack are seen firing Browning M2, .50cal machine guns, mocked up to appear as Type 1 heavy machine guns.

Japanese sailors defending their carriers from the US attack are seen firing Browning M2, .50cal machine guns, mocked up to appear as Type 1 heavy machine guns.

The mockups being fired.