Tears of the Sun

Tears of the Sun (2003)

Tears of the Sun is a 2003 action film starring Bruce Willis as LT A.K. Waters, a US Navy SEAL commander who leads his team into Nigeria during a coup to extract Lena Kendricks (Monica Bellucci), an American doctor. When she goes with the team to the extraction site along with 80 refugees from her village, Lena discovers that the SEALs' mission is only to take her. After a change of heart, Waters and his SEAL team then become determined to get the doctor and the refugees to the border before the rebel militants can find them. The film was directed by Antoine Fuqua and retired Navy SEAL Harry Humphries served as the chief military technical advisor.

The following weapons were used in the film Tears of the Sun:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Pistols

Heckler & Koch MK23

The pistol designed especially for US SOCOM, the Heckler & Koch Mark 23 is seen used by several Navy SEALs, including Lieutenant A.K. Waters (Bruce Willis), Ellis 'Zee' Pettigrew (Eamonn Walker), James 'Red' Atkins (Cole Hauser), Jason 'Flea' Mabry (Chad Smith), Kelly Lake (Johnny Messner), and Michael 'Slo' Slowenski (Nick Chinlund).

Heckler & Koch Mk 23 Mod 0 - .45 ACP

Waters awakes with his MK23 in hand.

Heckler & Koch Mk 23 Mod 0 with (real) Knights Armament suppressor - .45 ACP

Suppressed MK23 in hand.

The team with their weapons, several of them readying their Mark 23 pistols.

LT Waters with his MK23.

LT A.K. Waters wields a suppressed H&K Mark 23 while engaging militia fighters in the village.

Red prepares to enter a shack with his MK23.

Rack the slide on your MK23, Lake! This is a continuity shot as it only happens for a second.

SIG-Sauer P226

Another real-life favored handgun of the Navy SEALs, the SIG-Sauer P226 is seen in the hands of Danny 'Doc' Kelley (Paul Francis) and Demetrius 'Silk' Owens (Charles Ingram).

SIG-Sauer P226 - 9x19mm

Doc crawls towards the village.

Doc makes an entry with his P226 at the ready.

Doc wields his SIG-Sauer during the final shootout.

Silk fires his SIG-Sauer when his M1A runs dry.

Colt M1911A1

The Colt M1911A1 appears in the hands of two senior officers of the Nigerian Militants including Terwase (Peter Mensah).

Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP

The officer on the far left has what looks like a M1911A1.

The second in command Terwase charges the fleeing SEALs with his M1911A1.

Terwase (Peter Mensah) orders his men forward, M1911A1 in hand.

Beretta 92FS

A Beretta 92FS is seen in the hands of a militant sergeant.

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm

The militant on the far right has a Beretta.

Walther PPK/S

In a scene added to the extended director's cut, LT Waters leaves the priest running the hospital a Walther PPK/S, telling him he may wish to use it on himself rather than be captured by the rebels.

Walther PPK/S, blued - .380 ACP (9x17mm / 9mm kurz)

A Walther PPK/S left by LT Waters for the priest. It appears to have the larger PP frame but the shorter PPK slide.

Rifles / Carbines

M4A1

Lieutenant Waters (Bruce Willis), Flea (Chad Smith), and Lake (Johnny Messner) use M4A1 Carbines as their primary weapons. Team corpsman Doc (Paul Francis) and radioman Zee (Eamonn Walker) also have accessorized M4 carbines (with M203 grenade launchers mounted). Flea has a Combat Military Optics LTD Marksman Series Model 100 scope on the carry handle, a cheek pad on the stock, a suppressor, and a custom paintjob of green and black. Flea and Lake have suppressors on their carbines. Both Lake and LT Waters have M68 Aimpoint scopes fitted on their weapons. When the team first arrives in Africa, their M4A1s are fitted with PVS-14 night-vision scopes which are removed once morning arrives. LT Waters' also has a D-LAP Laser sight, essentially a more compact PEQ-2A. It is worth noting that they use the correct, modern flash hiders rather than the A1 style used in so many movies M4A1s and M16A2s.

M4A1 with M68 Aimpoint scope and RIS foregrip - 5.56x45mm

LT Waters meets Dr. Lena Kendricks. Note the M68 Aimpoint is mounted backwards in this shot.

Flea and Lake search the village shacks with their suppressed M4s.

The team with their weapons. Doc, Lake, LT, and Zee with their M4s.

Flea takes a sniper position in a tree while the other team members raid the village.

Flea hands out the contents of his MRE to refugees.

Lieutenant A.K. Waters (Bruce Willis) with his M4A1 with M68 Aimpoint scope and RIS foregrip.

Lake fires his M4. He is firing from this awkward position due to having been shot in the shoulder minutes earlier.

After being wounded, Lake uses his left arm to hold the M4A1.

Flea (Chad Smith) fires his suppressed M4.

Red (Cole Hauser) fires LT Waters' M4 after he drops it.

Springfield M1A

A Springfield M1A with an aftermarket scope mount is carried by Silk (Charles Ingram). It is covered in heavy custom camo and mounts a Leupold & Stevens Mark 4 LR/T 10x40 M1 rifle scope. He uses the weapon throughout the film. It is noted as being of an M1A not a M25 Sniper Rifle by the notch which would normally contain the fire-selector switch. M21/25 rifles are fitted with a selector lock, preventing the Selective fire mechanism from working in anything other than semi-automatic. When a Civilian M1A is put into a Military M14 stock there is a great big empty notch in the stock where the selector lock should be.

Springfield M1A with scope - .308 Winchester. You can notice the notch in the stock where the selector lock is missing.

Silk with the M1A rifle. Note the open notch for the selector switch (which would be filled with the selector notch if it was a real M21/M25).

Silk (Charles Ingram) readies to shoot the refugee carrying the transmitter with his M1A.

Red and Silk make their final stand, firing LT Waters' M4 and the M1A.

AKM

The most commonly used assault rifle on the African continent, AKM rifles are seen in the hands of militants and refugees.

AKM - 7.62x39mm

A rebel fighter walks through the jungle with his AKM.

Rebels enter the mission with their AKM rifles.

The rifle on the left is a Type 56, but the rifle on the right is an AKM, noted by its muzzle brake and front sight post.

A rebel executes a villager with his AKM.

AK-47

The predecessor to the AKM, the AK-47, or more simply "AK", is seen. They can be noted by their milled receivers and lack of slanted muzzle brakes. Some may be Norinco Type 56 rifles. Used by militants, refugees and Doc (Paul Francis), who took it from a dead militant. He is never seen using it, but after the village raid, he most likely gave it to a refugee, as they acquired a lot of them then.

Final Production version of the Type III AK-47 with cleaning rod removed and laminated stock - 7.62x39mm

Doc Kelley (Paul Francis) sits with his AK slung over his shoulder. Note the more curved style of stock. The weapon was acquired from a dead militant.

Doc crawls towards the village with his AK slung over his shoulder. Note the milled receiver.

A refugee obtains a pair of boots and an AK-47 from a dead rebel.

An AK-wielding refugee is ordered by Waters to protect Arthur Azuka (Sammi Rotibi). This is a very good side shot detailing the side of the milled receiver.

AKMSU

A few rebel soldiers are seen wielding the AKMSU.

AKMSU Krinkov - 7.62x39mm. This is a blank adapted full auto transferable AKM pistol that was converted into a Krinkov via parts kit.

Rebel soldiers advancing. They are armed with a variety of AKs including AKMSUs.

M16A2

A few of the Marines disembarking the helicopter in the beginning of the film are carrying M16A2 rifles, as well as a few Marines at the end of the film.

M16A2 Rifle - 5.56x45mm. Select Fire rifle (Safe/Semi/3 round Burst Only).

Marine behind the others is carrying a M16A2.

The Marine in the background is carrying a M16A2.

FN FAL

Actual footage of the violence in Africa is seen in the beginning of the film and one scene shows several soldiers carrying FN FAL rifles.

FN FAL 50.63 Paratrooper with 18" barrel - 7.62x51mm NATO

The soldier on the far right has a FN FAL Paratrooper.

The soldier also has a FN FAL Paratrooper.

Norinco Type 56-1

The Norinco Type 56 is used by several rebel soldiers. Some are full-stocked variants while others are under-folding stocked Type 56-1s.

Norinco Type 56-1 (under-folding stock variant) - 7.62x39mm

A rebel fires upon the fleeing SEALs with his Type 56-1.

Karabiner 98k

What appears to be a WWII-vintage Karabiner 98k is seen in the hands of at least two militants. They are never given explicit detail, sadly.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The rebel in bottom center is carrying a Kar98k.

A rebel armed with what appears to be a 98k moves to investigate the body of the transmitter-carrying refugee.

SKS

Several rebels and refugees are seen carrying SKS rifles.

SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm

The point man of the rebel squad walks through the jungle, carrying an SKS.

One of the refugees (later found out to be Colonel Okeze (Benjamin Ochieng), Arthur Azuka's bodyguard) saves LT Waters.

A militant appears to have an SKS.

L1A1

At the end of the film, one of the Cameroon border guards can be briefly seen armed with an L1A1 SLR instead of an AK variant.

L1A1 SLR - 7.62x51mm NATO

A Cameroon border guard behind Captain Bill Rhodes (Tom Skerritt) brandishes an L1A1 rifle.

M16A1

M16A1 rifles are held by Nigerian soldiers in the opening scene of the director's cut of the film.

M16A1 with 20-round magazine - 5.56x45mm

Nigerian soldiers with Vietnam-era M16A1 rifles.

Nigerian soldiers standing guard with M16A1s.

Nigerian soldiers standing guard over the President and his family with M16A1 rifles.

Machine Guns

M249 SAW Paratrooper

Slo (Nick Chinlund), the team's designated heavy-gunner and tech-guy is seen with his paratrooper version of the M249 SAW throughout the film, until he is killed in a shootout with the rebels. Silk (Charles Ingram) then uses the weapon during the climax firefight.

M249 SAW Paratrooper version with 200-round ammo drum and accessory rail on feed tray cover - 5.56x45mm

Slo (Nick Chinlund) with his SAW.

Silk fires the SAW Paratrooper.

Silk (Charles Ingram) with the SAW. Note the blank rounds on the ammo belt.

M60E4

Red (Cole Hauser), the team’s designated heavy-gunner is seen armed with a M60E4 machine gun throughout the film, which has a "duckbill" flash hider on the muzzle. Doc (Paul Francis) wields the weapon when Red runs to set-up a Claymore. Another Navy SEAL who accompanies Captain Bill Rhodes (Tom Skerritt) also wields a M60E4.

M60E4 machine gun - 7.62x51mm NATO

Red is seen in the background after dismounting from the helicopter, M60E4 in hand.

Red directs the refugees with his M60E4.

Doc mans Red's M60E4.

The other Navy SEAL with a M60E4.

M60D

The M60D machine gun is seen mounted on SH-60B Seahawk helicopter, but it is never fired.

M60D machine gun - 7.62x51mm NATO

An M60D machine gun door-mounted on a Navy SH-60B Seahawk helicopter.

DShK

A DShK heavy machine gun is seen on a mounted platform of a flatbed truck. It’s hard to determine if this is a genuine DShK or a Browning M2 mocked-up as a DShK.

DShK heavy machine gun - 12.7x108mm

The machine gun can be seen on the truck.

The barrel is seen mildly clearly here.

FN MAG 58

Seen in the actual footage at the beginning of the film, a government soldier is seen with what looks to be a FN MAG 58.

FN MAG 58 - 7.62x51mm NATO

The soldier stands behind a FN MAG 58 in the actual footage.

RPD

A rebel is seen with an RPD light machine gun.

RPD light machine gun - 7.62x39mm

One of the rebels on the left of center can be seen armed with an RPD light machine gun.

Shotguns

Remington 870

The team’s forward scout, Lake (Johnny Messner) carries a Remington 870 in addition to his M4A1. The shotgun is equipped with an extended magazine tube, a side saddle shell holder, and a "duckbill" muzzle attachment (designed to make the shot spray into a horizontal pattern). The team’s designated marksman, Flea (Chad Smith), takes the shotgun after Lake is shot, but the weapon was dropped and Flea switches back to his M4A1.

Remington 870 with synthetic furniture and extended magazine tube - 12 Gauge

Lake (Johnny Messner) leads the way with his Remington 870 at the ready.

Lake runs through the jungle with his Remington 870.

As Kendricks hugs goodbye, Lake covers the area with his Remington shotgun.

Lake holds the shotgun as he gives Zee that "what are we doing?" look.

As LT Waters shouts orders, Lake takes cover with his Remington 870 slung over his back.

Submachine Guns

Uzi

A rebel soldier standing on a flatbed truck appears to be armed with a full size Uzi before he is taken out.

Uzi submachine gun - 9x19mm

A rebel soldier standing on a flatbed truck appears to be armed with a full size Uzi before he is taken out.

Launchers

M203 Grenade Launcher

The team's corpsman, Doc, and radioman, Zee, both carry M4A1 Carbines with M203 grenade launchers mounted.

M4A1 Carbine 5.56x45mm with M68 Aimpoint red dot scope, flip-up rear sight, and M203 grenade launcher - 40x46mm

Doc and Zee ready their pistols, while slinging their M4/M203 combos.

Zee (Eamonn Walker) lays down cover fire with his M4/M203.

M72 LAW

The M72 LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon) is carried by Silk (Charles Ingram) and Slo (Nick Chinlund). The two weapons are fired by Lake (Johnny Messner) and Flea (Chad Smith).

M72A2 LAW - 66mm

Slo helps refugees up a hill with his M72 strapped into his pack.

Flea (Chad Smith) readies the M72.

Flea and Lake fire the LAWs.

Type 69 RPG

The Chinese-replica Type 69 RPG is seen in the hands of several rebels throughout the film, fitted with the PGO-7 scope.

Type 69 RPG - 40mm

The rebels enter the mission, the one on the far right brandishing a Type 69 RPG.

An RPG team prepares to engage the SEALs with a Type 69.

I'd imagine that black eye hurts, huh?

Others

M67 Hand Grenade

All of the SEALs carry and use M67 hand grenades throughout the mission.

M67 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade.

LT Waters pulls an M67 grenade from a pouch during a shootout with the rebels.

M18 Smoke Grenade

The team use a yellow M18 Smoke Grenade to signal the landing zone for their extraction. It is later found by the pursuing rebel forces.

M18 smoke grenade - Yellow.

Used yellow M18 Smoke Grenade picked up by the rebel forces' second-in-command.

M18A1 Claymore

The team’s demolition man, Red (Cole Hauser), carried three M18A1 Claymores into the field with him. He uses two to ambush the rebels and later uses the last one to hold back enemy troops.

M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel mine.

Red sets up his final Claymore as a volley of gunfire hits the log.

M61 Vulcan

At the climax of the film, a pair of F/A-18A Hornets are launched to provide close air support for the SEALs, the Hornets being armed with M61 Vulcans as secondary armament, though the Hornets engage the rebels with air-to-ground missiles instead of their guns.

M61 Vulcan - 20x102mm

As an F/A-18A Hornet launches from the carrier USS John C. Stennis, the firing port for the M61 Vulcan is visible near the nose of the aircraft.