Power Play (1978)

Power Play is a 1978 drama/thriller film directed by Martyn Burke and starring David Hemmings, Peter O'Toole and Donald Pleasence. Based on the non-fiction book Coup d'État: A Practical Handbook by Edward Luttwak, the film is set in an unnamed European country where a group of military officers who decide to plan and execute a coup against their corrupt civilian masters. The movie was filmed in Canada and West Germany and was made with the assistance of the Canadian Forces, which supplied vehicles, aircraft and soldiers to the production.

The following weapons are seen in the film Power Play:

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 27

One of the bodyguards of a government minister fires what appears to be a Smith & Wesson Model 27 or another similar long-barreled revolver during a terrorist ambush.

Smith & Wesson Model 27 with Patridge Sights - .357 magnum. Note again the high gloss and checkering on the top strap on the frame and barrel.

The bodyguard dashes towards the minister's limousine.

Colt M1911A1

Captain Hillsman (Chuck Shamata) uses a silenced M1911A1 pistol as his sidearm, using it to shoot a suspected informant.

World War II issued Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP

A suppressed Colt M1911A1 sits beside some surveillance gear in Cpt. Hillsman's briefcase.

Hillsman holds the M1911A1 after gunning down the informant.

Shotguns

Mossberg 500

The secret policemen working for Burke (Donald Pleasence) use various types of the Mossberg 500 shotgun when raiding a suspected terrorist hideout.

Mossberg 500AT Shotgun - 12 Gauge. Note the wood furniture.

A terrorist is snatched by a secret policeman with a Mossberg 500.

Mossberg 500A Field Gun with 28" Barrel - 12 Gauge

A secret policeman holds a shotgun while preparing to storm the hideout.

Submachine Guns

Smith & Wesson M76

Many characters use the Smith & Wesson M76 throughout the film, including members of a terrorist group and soldiers. Hillsman uses one to test the loyalty of his fellow coup plotters during one scene, and the unstable Colonel Barrientos (George Touliatos) uses one towards the end of the film.

Smith & Wesson M76 - 9x19mm‎

Terrorists holds S&W M76s as they plant an IED.

Hillsman brandishes a M76 as he introduces himself to the plotters.

Hillsman points the M76 around to scare the others.

Captain Aramco (Gary Reineke) opens fire with a M76 as his forces storm the capital city's airport.

C1 Submachine Gun

Some soldiers use the C1, a Canadian-made version of the Sterling Submachine Gun. In at least one scene, the C1 can be seen with an attached bayonet.

C1 Submachine Gun - 9x19mm Parabellum

A soldier holds a C1 SMG.

Another angle. The C1 was adopted by the Canadian military in the early 1950s and remained in service until the late 1980s when its role was assumed by the Diemaco/Colt Canada C8 carbine.

A presidential guard is captured by a bayonet-wielding soldier.

Rifles

FN C1A1

Soldiers in the film are largely armed with the FN C1A1 rifle. Most of the C1A1s seen have handguards with a single small vent hole, a feature unique to the C1A1, along with the unique C1A1 top cover with integrated stripper clip guide.

C1A1 rifle with the solid handguard - 7.62x51mm.

Soldiers hold C1A1 rifles as troops arrest dissidents.

A civilian shouts at the soldiers as he is detained.

A firing squad aims their C1A1 rifles. Visible in this shot is the unique C1A1 rear sight, along with the protrusion in the top cover in line with the rear of the magazine which is a stripper clip guide.

The muzzles of C1A1 rifles are lined up.

Soldiers brandish C1A1 rifles after Colonel Zeller (Peter O'Toole) seizes control of the Presidential Palace.

Winchester Model 70

A secret policeman uses a Winchester Model 70 with an infrared sight to shoot a fleeing terrorist.

Pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 - .30-06

Burke (Donald Pleasence) gives the order to open fire.

The policeman fires the Winchester as the terrorist attempts to escape.

Machine Guns

C5 GPMG (Browning M1919A4)

The C5 GPMG, a variation of the M1919A4 rechambered by the Canadian Forces in 7.62x51mm, is used by soldiers in both tripod and vehicle mounted forms.