Proof of Life

Proof of Life (2000)

Proof of Life is a 2000 thriller directed by Taylor Hackford (Against All Odds) that stars Russell Crowe as Terry Thorne, a K&R (Kidnapping and Ransom) specialist and former member of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment who is assigned to negotiate the return of building engineer Peter Bowman (David Morse). While overseeing the construction of a dam in a fictional South American country, Bowman was kidnapped by the country's left-wing insurgency, known as the ELT. In its fictitious political history, operational patterns, and sources of revenue, the ELT is portrayed as extremely similar to the FARC in Colombia. During the course of the negotiations, Thorne unexpectedly finds himself getting emotionally involved with the engineer's wife (Meg Ryan).

The following weapons appear in the film Proof of Life:

Handguns

Beretta 92FS

A Beretta 92FS is drawn by Arturo Fernandez (Mario Ernesto Sánchez) until it is stripped out of his hands by Thorne (Russell Crowe). What appears to be a Beretta is seen in the holster of a Tecala police officer who is ambushed by the ELT.

Beretta 92FS - 9mm.

A Beretta 92FS is drawn by Arturo Fernandez (Mario Ernesto Sánchez).

Terry (Russell Crowe) is threatened with the Beretta.

What appears to be a Beretta is seen in the holster of a Tecala police officer who is ambushed by the ELT.

Colt Commander

The personal sidearm carried by Terry Thorne (Russell Crowe) is a Colt Commander. He pulls it on Arturo Fernandez's group and later gives it to Peter Bowman (David Morse) during the rescue. There must have been two different weapons used, because when he first pulls it, the pistol is fitted with Novak-style sights.

Colt Combat Commander - .45 ACP.

Terry pulls his Colt Commander on Mr. Fernandez's crony. Note here adjustable sights are visible.

Terry loads a single-stack magazine into his Colt Commander.

The pistol is again seen in a shoulder holster on Terry's vest.

Peter points the pistol at Terry, but he was trying to shoot an ELT member giving chase, but the safety was on, so the gun didn't fire.

Terry takes the safety off the pistol after Peter tries to shoot an ELT member.

Peter unloads 5 .45 ACP rounds to the chest.

Glock 17

One of Fernandez's cronies uses a Glock 17, but never gets to fire it.

A Generation 2 Glock 17 in 9mm. This model added finger stepping and cuts to the backstrap of the frame to make it easier to hold than the Generation 1 model.

Arturo's associate in the foreground pulls his Glock.

The associate holds the Glock on Terry.

Smith & Wesson Model 681

Another of Fernandez's cronies is armed with a Smith & Wesson Model 681.

Smith & Wesson Model 681 - .357 Magnum

Another of Fernandez's cronies pulls his Smith & Wesson Model 681.

Alice Bowman (Meg Ryan) and her sister Janice (Pamela Reed) are startled when the S&W is pulled.

1911 variants

Various M1911-type pistols are seen throughout the movie in the holsters of ELF rebels. Dino (David Caruso) also has a M1911 pistol as his sidearm during the hostage rescue at the film's climax.

World War 2 issued Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP.

Seen in holster.

Seen in holster.

Seen in holster.

Shotguns

Benelli M1 Super 90 "Entry"

Dino (David Caruso) scares away Arturo and his associates with his Benelli M1 Super 90 "Entry" and then walks patrol with it. The weapon is later seen at his hideout on a gun rack along with a Heckler & Koch G36K and a Steyr Scout.

Benelli M1 Super 90 "Entry" in tactical pistol grip configuration - 12 gauge

Dino (David Caruso) confronts Arturo and his associates with his Benelli M2.

Arturo has the Benelli to his face.

The weapon is later seen at his hideout on a gun rack along with a Heckler & Koch G36K and a Steyr Scout.

Remington 870

An ELT member guarding the rebel camp during the hostage rescue sequence is armed with a Remington 870 shotgun.

Remington 870 Police Magnum Riot Shotgun - 12 gauge

‎

An ELT member searches for his friend, Remington 870 in tow.

Submachine Guns

IMI Uzi

An ELT rebel disguised as a police officer uses an IMI Uzi during the kidnapping scene.

IMI Uzi 9mm

Rifles

Wz. 89 Onyks

What appears to be the AKS-74U is seen in the hands of Russian soldiers, Chechen rebels and several ELT members. It should be noted that since the Chechen scenes were filmed in Poland, the AKS-74U's present in those scenes are actually Wz. 89 Onyks carbines, inspired by AKS-74U but equipped with different muzzle brake and the addition of the three round burst mode.

Wz. 89 Onyks - 5.45x39mm

In Chechnya, Russian soldiers armed with the AKS-74U watch Terry check the ransom.

A Russian soldier with an AKS-74U.

Kalashnikov Variants

Numerous Kalashnikov rifles, including the AKM and Norinco Type 56 are seen in the hands of ELT rebels.

AKM, Stamped Steel Receiver w/ slant muzzle brake 7.62x39mm

Norinco Type 56 7.62x39mm

ELT members take civilians hostage.

Alex returns a signal shot to his approaching comrades.

Huaco threatens Peter (David Morse) with his AKM.

A medic looks at Alex's injury after the enraged Huaco, under the influence of narcotics, foolishly fires into the ground and hits his companion Alex in the foot.

AR-18

An ELT guerrilla is briefly seen with an Armalite AR-18 during the kidnapping scene.

Armalite AR-18 with 30 round magazine 5.56mm

FN FAL

FN-FAL rifles are used by ELT members throughout the film.

FN FAL 50.00 7.62x51mm NATO

CETME Model LC

The CETME Model LC is used by a few ELT members.

CETME Model LC with round handguard - 5.56x45mm

An ELT member holding the CETME.

Heckler & Koch G36K

One of Terry's team members holds a G36K during the planning scene, asking if they should bring it. A G36K is also seen on Dino's gun rack with the Benelli M2 Super 90 and a Steyr Scout.

Heckler & Koch G36K - 5.56mm

"G36...but it's British kit."

The G36K is seen far left.

IMI Galil ARM

The Israeli-made Galil ARM can be seen being used by ELT rebels throughout the film.

IMI Galil ARM 7.62x51mm NATO

The Galil ARM is seen in the hands of an ELT member.

The ELT member signals others to come down.

M4A1 Carbine

During the hostage rescue, every member of Terry's team with the exception of "Downtown 3" is armed with a M4A1 carbine.

Colt M4A1 Carbine with 4 position collapsible stock 5.56x45mm

Terry (Russell Crowe) moves into position down the hill armed with the M4A1.

Dino moves into position with his M4A1 in-tow.

Terry moves into position with his M4A1.

Downtown 2 surveys the area with his M4A1. The actor here was actually a member of the Ecuadorian Special Forces.

Dino (David Caruso) with his M4A1 as he extracts his "cargo".

M4 with M203 underbarrel grenade launcher

A M4 carbine with M203 grenade launcher is used by "Uptown 2" during the rescue, and then by Dino when "Downtown 3" is injured and he goes to find him.

M4A1 carbine 5.56mm with M203 grenade launcher 40mm

"Downtown 2, what the fuck was that?"

Norinco Model 311

An ELT rebel is armed with a Norinco Model 311, a Chinese copy of the M16A1.

Norinco Model 311 (CQ 5.56) - 5.56x45mm NATO

Norinco Model 311 on the right. Note design of handguard compared to the M16A1 on the left.

CAR-15 variants

Numerous ELT rebels are armed with Colt Carbine variants.

Colt Model 654 - a Model 653 designed for export - 14.5" barrel and no forward Assist - 5.56mm

An ELT member yells at Peter to get out of his car.

He runs up just before the above picture.

Huaco with his CAR-15.

Huaco throws a M67 under a police vehicle, then flees with his CAR-15.

The man in the center is holding a CAR-15. 10 points for holding it correctly.

Sitting on the table, far left.

Colt Model 733

A Colt Model 733 is briefly seen when Peter is kidnapped by the ELT.

Colt Model 733 SMG - 5.56mm NATO.

M16A1

M16A1 rifles are used by various ELT rebels. At least one has A2 handguards.

M16A1 with 30 Round magazine - 5.56x45mm

A guerrilla fighter holds his M16A1.

Colt M16A1 with A2 handguards - 5.56x45mm.

An ELT rebel with an M16A1 with A2 handguards.

M16A1 with M203 underbarrel grenade launcher

An ELT rebel is briefly seen with a M16A1 with M203 grenade launcher.

M16A1 5.56mm with M203 grenade launcher 40mm

M16A2

M16A2 rifles, distinguished by their shell deflectors and forward assists, are used by a few ELT rebels.

M16A2 Rifle - 5.56mm. Select Fire rifle (Safe/Semi/3 round Burst Only).

A Government soldier with his M16A2.

ELT guy...

...this guy too

Sniper Rifle

Dragunov SVD

One of the Russian soldiers atop a BMP-1 armored personnel carrier in the introduction is holding a SVD Dragunov.

SVD Dragunov sniper rifle - 7.6x54mm R

One of the Russian soldiers atop a BMP-1 armored personnel carrier in the introduction holds a SVD Dragunov.

The rifle with the long barrel is the Dragunov.

Steyr Scout

A Steyr Scout can be seen on the far right in Dino's gun rack.

A Steyr Scout can be seen on the far right in Dino's gun rack.

Machine Guns

DShK Heavy Machine Gun

An authentic DShK heavy machine gun is used by Chechen rebels during the opening credits sequence.

DShK heavy machine gun 12.7x109mm

The barrel of the DShK is seen behind the hostage.

Another view of the DShK.

The DShK being fired during the opening credits. Since this scene was filmed in Poland, the production was able to use authentic Russian hardware.

RPK

The RPK light machine gun is seen in the hands of a few ELT members.

RPK light machine gun 7.62x39mm with 40-round box magazine

FN Minimi Para

A Paratrooper model of the FN Minimi is briefly seen when the ELT members escorting Peter meet a group of their comrades.

FN Minimi 5.56mm paratrooper version with 200 round ammo drum

The SAW's front sight is seen to the right of Peter's head.

FN Minimi

An FN Minimi is seen used by "Downtown 3", one of Dino's Panama crew. The Minimi is fitted with an M249-style heat shield. The expert handling of the machine gun could be attributed to the fact that the actor was actually one of the security advisers on the production.

FN Minimi with 200-round ammo drum 5.56x45mm

Downtown 3 gets to know the FN Minimi before the mission.

He also racks the slide to test the springs. (Good man.)

Downtown 3 walks into position...

...then crawls...

...and finally sets up the weapon.

A really cool down-the-sights view of the weapon as he looks for targets.

He fires, mowing down ten to twelve ELT guerrillas by himself.

Other

M67 Fragmentation Grenade

M67 hand grenades are seen on Huaco's vest when he kidnaps Peter in a roadside ambush. Later, he throws a M67 at Terry during the hostage rescue.

M67 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

Juaco is seen taking Peter from his car, with two M67 grenades strapped to his web gear.

A M67 mid-air after Juaco throws it at Terry.

RGD-5 Hand Grenade

An Eastern bloc RGD-5 hand grenade is seen on a table at Dino's place when the team was loading up for their mission.

RGD-5 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

M18A1 Claymore

Terry "dropkicks" M18A1 Claymore mines while he covers the hostages being rescued from the ELT camp.

M18A1 direction Claymore Mine

A few Claymores and M67 hand grenades are seen when the team is loading up at Dino's hideout.

Terry sets up a Claymore...

...and sets up the clacker.

M72A2 L.A.W.

M72 LAW rocket launchers are used by ELT rebels during the hostage rescue scene.

M72A2 LAW 66mm

RPG-7

A Chechen rebel in the introduction uses an RPG-7 rocket launcher.

RPG-7 70mm

Type 69 RPG

In addition to the RPG-7 mentioned above, a Norinco Type 69 clone fitted with a PGO-7 scope can also be spotted in the hands of an ELT member, identifiable by the single pistol grip.

Norinco Type 69 RPG 40mm

The ELT member on the right is holding a Type 69 RPG

Trivia

Tactical Map

The map seen of the camp is notable due to its attention to detail. It is exactly what a team of Special Operations Forces would use when assaulting a camp.

Terry's map detailing positions around the camp.