The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner (2007)

The Kite Runner is a 2007 feature film adaptation of the 2003 novel of the same name by Khaled Hosseini. The film tells the story of Amir, a young Afghan boy who is tortured with guilt when he has to leave his friend behind during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. As this film was produced in and around Kashgar, Xinjiang Autonomus Region, China (as it has a similar environment to Afghanistan) all the weaponry in the film is of Chinese origin. There is a level of authenticity in the use of Chinese firearms in the film, as the Taliban were known for extensively using Chinese firearms during their five year occupation of Afghanistan. The film was directed by Marc Forster and executive produced by Sam Mendes.

The following weapons were seen in the film The Kite Runner:

Norinco Type 56

Taliban members and Pakistani border guards are seen with Norinco Type 56 assault rifles. A number of Soviet Army soldiers are also seen armed with early model milled receiver Norinco Type 56 rifles (without the folding bayonet attached, though retaining the mounting hardware) in the scenes set during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

Since most of the scenes for Kabul and Afghanistan was filmed in Kashgar, China, the production crew didn't have access to genuine Russian-made Kalashnikov rifles and had to use Chinese ones instead. It should also be noted that the real-life Taliban did extensively use the Norinco Type 56 assault rifle during their five year occupation of Afghanistan.

Norinco Type 56, early model with milled receiver and under-folding bayonet ("pig sticker") - 7.62x39mm

A Soviet Army soldier with a Chinese Type 56 assault rifle (standing in for the Russian AK-47 rifle).

A Soviet soldier threatens to shoot Baba.

"Beard Patrol" member with a Type 56.

Taliban members riding in a pickup.

Taliban guards at the Ghazi Stadium.

A Taliban guard in the Ghazi Stadium.

A Taliban member rushes to unlock the front gate.

Taliban members shoot at Amir (Khalid Abdalla) and Farid (Saïd Taghmaoui) as they drive off.

Norinco Type 56-1

A pair of Taliban members looking for Amir are armed with Type 56-1s.

Norinco Type 56-1 with stamped receiver and folding stock - 7.62x39mm

Norinco Type 63

Several Norinco Type 63 rifles are seen slung over the shoulders of Taliban guards at a public execution of adulterers. The Type 63 was distributed widely throughout Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War.

Norinco Type 63 - 7.62x39mm

Taliban armed with Type 63 Assault Rifles escort adulterers to their stoning

Taliban hand out stones to stone the adulterers to death

The subtitle is in relation to the idea that the adulterers throw stones at God's house metaphorically with their sinning

Tokarev TT-33

Though the pistol itself is not explicitly seen, a TT-33 holster is seen on the side of a Soviet officer.

TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

The Soviet officer has a TT-33 holster

Weapons Platforms

Soviet Tank

A T-55AM Tank is dressed up as the Soviet T-72 tank.

T-34

A T-34 wreckage is seen as Amir and Farid drive through Afghanistan. The Soviet Union had retired the T-34 long before the Soviet-Afghan War, though it may have been used by the Afghan Army.