The Rock

NOTE: This page is for the 1996 action movie. For the actor with the same stage name, see Dwayne Johnson.

The Rock Theatrical Release Poster Country United States Directed by Michael Bay Release Date 1996 Distributor Hollywood Pictures Main Cast Character Actor John Mason Sean Connery Stanley Goodspeed Nicolas Cage Frank Hummel Ed Harris

The Rock is a 1996 action film directed by Michael Bay and starring Nicolas Cage as Stanley Goodspeed, an FBI chemical weapons specialist who is brought into a hostage situation involving a crew of former US Marines, led by a rogue US Marine general (Ed Harris), who have taken over the former prison on Alcatraz Island and are threatening the city of San Francisco with a launch of missiles filled with deadly VX poison gas. Goodspeed finds himself going along on the mission to retake the prison with a team of US Navy SEALS and John Mason (Sean Connery), a former SAS operative who has been imprisoned illegally for the past three decades, and the only man to have escaped the prison alive and could use his knowledge to infiltrate "The Rock".

The following weapons were used in the film The Rock:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

Beretta 92SB

Beretta 92SBs with early model Surefire 333R tactical flashlight are the standard sidearm for all the Navy SEALs in the film. Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) also uses one of these pistols as his sidearm when infiltrating Alcatraz with Mason and the SEALs. Shortly after the ambush, Goodspeed points his at John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery), who swipes it out of his hand, but later gives it back to Goodspeed to defend himself with, and he uses it notably in the underground tunnels to kill one Marine with little hesitation, as Mason notes. Captain Darrow (Tony Todd) is also seen using a Beretta 92SB with wood grips and no weapon light during the scene in which Hummel and his men use a hostage to draw Goodspeed and Mason out of hiding, though he later appears to switch to a Beretta 92FS.

In 2024, the Beretta 92SB used by Nicolas Cage in the film, which was provided to the production by Hand Prop Room, was auctioned off by Heritage Auction. (Note that the weapon was incorrectly listed as a Beretta 92FS.)

A Beretta 92SB with Surefire 333R light used in The Rock; the weapon pictured here is the actual screen-used pistol carried by Nicolas Cage in the film - 9x19mm. This picture comes from a 2024 auction listng by Heritage Auctions.

Opposite view of the screen-used Beretta 92SB from The Rock - 9x19mm. Note that the weapon shows significant visible rust on the barrel, likely from use during the filming of the sewer tunnel sequences in the film, which would have exposed the weapon to filthy water.

Commander Anderson (Michael Biehn) fires his Beretta 92SB.

FBI Special Agent Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) points the Beretta 92SB fitted with Surefire 333R flashlight at Mason.

Goodspeed ejects the mag out of his Beretta.

Beretta 92SB - 9x19mm

Larry Henderson is threatened with the 92SB held by Captain Darrow (Tony Todd).

Captain Darrow (Tony Todd) holds his Beretta 92SB at Larry Henderson's head. Note that Tony Todd's hand makes the full size Beretta look like a compact!

Beretta 92FS

The Marines following General Hummel mostly carry Beretta 92FS (standing in for the military M9) pistols as their sidearms. Capt. Frye (Gregory Sporleder) is seen firing a Beretta in a confrontation, and both Capt. Darrow (Tony Todd) and Sgt. Crisp (Bokeem Woodbine) appear to use them as well.

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm

Cpt. Darrow (Tony Todd) aims his Beretta 92FS at Hummel.

Capt. Frye (Gregory Sporleder) opens fire with his Beretta 92FS.

Beretta 92FS Inox

Major Baxter (David Morse) carries a Beretta 92FS Inox as his sidearm. He draws it on Hummel during the standoff with Capt. Darrow and the other Marines. The pistol also appears to be pulled by Sgt. Crisp (Bokeem Woodbine) during the initial takeover of "The Rock".

Beretta 92FS Inox - 9x19mm

Sgt. Crisp (Bokeem Woodbine) pulls his Beretta Inox on some guards when they first take over "The Rock".

Major Baxter (David Morse) points his Beretta 92FS Inox at Hummel.

Major Baxter (David Morse) with his Beretta Inox.

Note how the slide is longer than the Centurion Inox used by Goodspeed.

Beretta 92FS Centurion Inox

When FBI transport Mason to the hotel, Goodspeed is given a Beretta 92FS Centurion Inox by another FBI agent after he arrives in San Francisco and tells Womack (John Spencer) that he forgot his FBI-issue sidearm. Strangely, all of the other FBI agents in the movie also seem to be carrying 92 Centurions with Inox finishes, even though this pistol has never been issued to the FBI in real life (at the time the movie was made, the FBI would have been using SIG-Sauer and Smith & Wesson pistols).

Beretta 92FS Centurion Inox - 9x19mm

Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) pulls the 92FS Centurion Inox on Mason when Director Womack is thrown off the building, held only by a rope.

Goodspeed chases after Mason armed with the Centurion.

Smith & Wesson 4506

While waiting for Hummel to fire one of his VX gas missiles, Sgt. Crisp (Bokeem Woodbine) is seen spinning a Smith & Wesson 4506 on a steel stool.

Smith & Wesson 4506 - .45 ACP

Sgt. Crisp (Bokeem Woodbine) rotates the stool with a S&W 4506 on it.

Note the lack of double stack bulges and 5" slide, indicating it is a 4506.

Note .45 caliber muzzle diameter.

Colt Government Model MK IV Series 80 Stainless

The main villain of the film, General Frank Hummel (Ed Harris) carries a stainless Colt MK IV Series 80 stainless as his sidearm of choice throughout the film. It is seen being pulled out by Hummel, who then shoots Sergeant Crisp during the confrontation. On this occasion, the text "Colt Government Model" is seen engraved on the right side of the slide. This particular and rare version of MK IV has advanced vertical grooves from the beginning of the slide.

Colt Government Model Stainless - .45 ACP.

General Frank X. Hummel (Ed Harris) holds his Colt MK IV during a confrontation with Mason.

"Now you're being given your last chance by a man with a gun, put the phone down!"
Hummel aims his Colt MK IV at Maj. Baxter when he refuses to stop his call.

Hummel draws another MK IV from his back, aware his men would betray him and likely disarm him.

Hummel holds his MK IV to Sgt. Crisp. Note that his finger is completely off the pistol's trigger, as the pistol is pointed directly at the throat. Capt. Frye's Beretta seen on the right.

Closeup on the muzzle of the MK IV. Note how the threading that allows the blank plug to be screwed in is visible.

Non-Gun 1911 with silver finish.

The pistol is fired at Crisp. For the safety of the actors, the gun seen here is clearly a harmless flashpaper gun as the slide doesn't cycle. The pistol also is seen being aimed slightly to the right of the squib as well.

Submachine Guns

MAC-10

Hummel can be seen holding a MAC-10 in a Vietnam service picture. This image is actually taken from one of Ed Harris' earlier film roles, the Charles Bronson vehicle Borderline.

Ingram MAC-10 - .45 ACP

What appears to be Hummel in Vietnam armed with a MAC-10. In reality, the MAC-10 was only available during the latter stages of the war, but this image is actually from one of Ed Harris' earlier film roles, the Charles Bronson action film Borderline, composited into a different background.

Heckler & Koch MP5A3/A5

A Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with an SEF trigger group is held by SEAL Commander Anderson (Michael Biehn). A Heckler & Koch MP5A5 is also seen in the hands of one of the Navy SEALs. (In an interesting note, the SEALs use Chalker Slings for their weapons, designed by Denny Chalker, plank-holder in SEAL Team SIX. Chalker also appears in the film as one of the SEALs (Boyer). Another of his teammates, Harry Humphries, is the Navy Admiral who asks to bring in the SEAL leader after the initial ransom call).

Heckler & Koch MP5A3 - 9x19mm

Heckler & Koch MP5A5 with Surefire dedicated forend weaponlight - 9x19mm

Navy SEALs carry the MP5A3. The majority of the men portraying SEALs in the film were the real thing.

SEAL Commander Anderson (Michael Biehn) with his MP5A3.

A SEAL loads up his MP5 near Goodspeed. Note the trigger group (circled in red) has 4 positions, which makes the gun an MP5A5 - the A5 referring to a combination of collapsible stock and 4-position lower receiver).

SEAL Commander Anderson (Michael Biehn) with his MP5A3.

Heckler & Koch HK94 (converted to resemble the MP5)

What appear to be Heckler & Koch MP5s used by the SEALs in the film in reality are customized 16" barrel civilian semi-auto Heckler & Koch HK94s with the barrels chopped down and converted to full auto. These lack barrel lugs and paddle magazine releases, as well as no push pin lower receiver and a right handed only selector switch with the old 0-1-2 switch. John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery) uses the during a firefight he and Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) have with one of the Marines in the morgue.

Heckler & Koch HK94 chopped and converted - 9x19mm

A SEAL fires his chopped and converted HK94 at the Marines.

Lt. Shepard (Danny Nucci) about to go up with his HK94.

Lt. Shepard opens fire with the HK94.

Heckler & Koch MP5K-PDW

A Heckler & Koch MP5K-PDW is used by at least one of the SEALs.

Heckler & Koch MP5K-PDW - 9x19mm

On the left, the HK MP5-PDW is seen.

A SEAL reloads his MP5K-PDW in the shower room shoot-out.

Heckler & Koch SP89

A Heckler & Koch SP89 by the SEAL Boyer during the failed attempt to save the hostages. It seems to be fitted with the folding stock of MP5K-PDW, and was evidently converted to full-auto.

Heckler & Koch SP89 Pistol with factory 15rd magazine - 9x19mm

Boyer (Denny Chalker) with an H&K SP89 tries to climb up to shoot at the Marines, before being gunned down.

The SEAL fires his H&K SP89.

Rifles

LAR Grizzly Big-Boar

When Private McCoy's M60E3 is empty, he picks up a .50 BMG LAR Grizzly Big Boar bolt-action rifle to shoot Goodspeed. He is knocked off the roof by Mason before he can use it, though.

LAR Grizzly Big Boar - .50 BMG

McCoy switches the safety off his LAR Grizzly.

McCoy prepares to fire the Grizzly before being killed by Mason.

M14

A Marine honor guard during the opening credits can be seen briefly holding an M14 rifle.

M14 rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO

A Marine at the funeral with his M14 rifle.

M16A2

Marines at the funeral use real M16A2 rifles for the 3 volley salute.

M16A2 - 5.56x45mm

The Marines ready their M16A2s for the 3 volley salute.

A Marine cycles a round into his M16A2. Note the bullet deflector and rounded forward assist.

M16A1 (w/ M16A2 handguards)

Many of the Marines under General Hummel's (Ed Harris) command are armed with M16A1 assault rifles fitted with M16A2 handguards. They are easily identified as A1 models by the lack of a brass deflector and elevation-adjustable rear sight, older forward assists, and fully-automatic firing modes. Most of them have tactical flashlights installed on the barrels.

M16A1 with A2 style handguards - 5.56x45mm

Major Baxter (David Morse), standing next to Hummel, aims his M16A1 at the Navy SEALS.

Sgt. Crisp (Bokeem Woodbine) armed with an M16A1. Don't be fooled by the handguards into thinking that this is an M16A2; note the lack of a brass deflector, lack of an A2-style rear sight, and the older style forward assist.

Olympic Arms K3B CAR

Colt XM177 look-a-like rifles are seen being used by many of the Marines. Mason and Goodspeed take two for themselves later in the film. Upon close inspection, the weapons are mostly the Olympic Arms K3B CAR, which is a civilian XM177 clone - notably, all of the weapons appear to be K3B CAR uppers fitted to full-auto converted Colt AR-15 SP1 carbine lowers. All are fitted with Surefire 660 weapon lights on Weaver barrel mounts.

The receivers vary - some (notably the carbine carried by Gregory Sporleder) have A1E1 upper receivers, while others, such as the rifle used in the final shootout by Mason (Sean Connery) have A2 upper receivers, and others have A1 upper receivers. The receiver styles of the carbines are noteworthy because they represents a common continuity error throughout the film. For instance, the XM177 handed to Goodspeed by Mason clearly has an A2 receiver when he first gets it, but later, it has an A1 receiver. Captain Frye's XM177 also undergoes various receiver changes - in the shower room scene, it has an A2-style receiver, while in later scenes it has a forward assist and brass deflector but no A2-style rear sight, and still later it has just the forward assist (A1-style receiver).

Olympic Arms K3B CAR carbine - 5.56x45mm NATO. This is Olympic Arms' XM177 look-a-like variation for the civilian market, featuring an 11.5" heavy barrel and 5.5" flash hider, and was available with either A1, A1E1, or A2-style upper receivers (the latter is shown here). This weapon is a common stand-in for the XM177 in Hollywood productions made in the 1990s.

When going over Hummel's military file, he is seen armed with a Colt XM177 in Vietnam. The image is actually a photomontage of a real military field photo where two SEALs are photographed during a training exercise in 1995. The Colt XM177 here is actually an MGC replica.

Major Baxter (David Morse) with an XM177-style rifle, actually an Olympic Arms K3B upper on a Colt SP1 lower.

A Marine aims his XM177 at Goodspeed. The large muzzle brake is pretty obvious in this shot.

Mason gives Goodspeed the XM177 after killing the Marine aiming it at him. This image clearly shows the profile of the weapon's receiver - it has an A2 upper receiver (albeit with an A1-style teardrop forward assist button), but the lower is clearly that of a Colt AR-15 SP1 carbine, distinguished by the lack of fencing around the magazine release.

Goodspeed's XM177 switches to an A1-style upper receiver in this scene.

Mason prepares to fire the XM177.

Mason firing the XM177.

Cpt. Frye returns fire on Mason. Note that the receiver of his gun has an A1-style rear sight, but it does have the brass deflector. The lower is also missing the fencing near the magazine release, so this again might be a civilian AR15 lower or a very early GAU-5/A lower.

Cpt. Frye fires his XM177 at Goodspeed, which now lacks a shell deflector.

Shotguns

Mossberg 590

Hummel's men uses a Mossberg 590 to fire a zip line during the opening assault on the Marine base.

Mossberg 590 - 12 gauge

One of Hummel's men firing a zip line from a Mossberg. It's not clear what good the scope will do, as he's clearly having to aim much higher than his target to get the heavy grappling line where he wants it.

Remington 870

A SEAL can be seen using a shortened tactical Remington 870.

Remington 870 with Surefire dedicated forend weaponlight - 12 gauge

A SEAL aims his Remington 870 at the Marines above.

The SEAL falls dead with his Remington 870 in hand, note the Surefire forend.

Machine Guns

M60E3

Private McCoy (Steve Harris) fires an M60E3 at Goodspeed when he disables the last rocket. Mason picks it up and knocks the shooter off the roof with it.

M60E3 machine gun - 7.62x51mm NATO

The barrel of the M60E3 before it fades to Goodspeed across the roof.

The muzzle of the M60E3.

McCoy prepares to drop the empty M60E3.

Launchers

Cobray CM203 37mm Flare Launcher

Many of the Marines have M16 variant rifles fitted Cobray CM203 37mm Flare Launchers underslung, standing in for M203 grenade launchers, which are considered destructive devices and are more expensive to buy.

M16A1 with Cobray CM203 - 5.56x45mm/37mm

Sgt. Crisp with a CAR-15 Colt Commando fitted with a CM203 flare launcher.

Sgt. Crisp fires an M16A1 fitted with a CM203 at the Navy SEALs.

A Marine fires his M16A1 fitted with a CM203 at the SEALs.

Darrow drops his rifle, which switches from the M16 (SP1) fitted with an M203 launcher to a CAR-15, which is fitted with a CM203.

M203 Grenade Launcher

While CM203 flare launchers dominate the film, Cpt. Darrow's rifle is fitted with a real M203 grenade launcher, likely because he is a main character. Throughout the film, the rifle this launcher is fitted to changes from a slab-side M16 (SP1) to an M16A1.

M16 (SP1) with M203 grenade launcher - 5.56x45mm/40x46mm

M16A1 fitted with M203 grenade launcher - 5.56mm/40mm

Cpt. Darrow aims his M16 (SP1) fitted with a M203 at the Navy SEALs.

Darrow with an M16 (SP1) fitted with an M203 grenade launcher in the lighthouse.

RM Equipment M203PI

During the opening assault on the Marine base, one of Hummel's men disables a Marine in the guard tower with a beanbag round fired from an early model standalone RM Equipment M203PI grenade launcher.

RM Equipment M203PI with standalone "Universal" stock in pistol configuration - 40x46mm. This is the current production model.

Schematic of the early model of the standalone version of the M203PI which differs from current production models by having a sliding stock and ventilated sighting rib, and lacking a MIL-STD-1913 rail.

A renegade Marine fires the standalone M203PI to knock out a Marine guard. Visible in this shot is the ventilated sighting rip which identifies this as an early model standalone M203PI.

DefTech Launcher

What appears to be a DefTech 37mm launcher is used by Private McCoy (Steve Harris) in the shower room, firing shotgun-like rounds at the SEALs. They could also be Hornet's nest rounds, which is a grenade round with 8 .22 LR bullets inside.

DefTech 37mm launcher - 37mm

Private McCoy (Steve Harris) with a DefTech 37mm.

McCoy fires his DefTech at the SEALs.

Grenades

M26 Hand Grenade

Cpt. Frye (Gregory Sporleder) can be seen with two M26 hand grenades which he throws at Mason (Sean Connery) in an attempt to kill him. Frye is seen flipping the spoons off the grenades and heard counting to three before tossing them (done to shorten the detonation time), yet it still takes an inordinate amount of time before the grenades explode. Mason jumps into a bathtub to avoid the blasts.

M26 HE fragmentation hand grenade

Frye pops off the primer handles of his M26 grenades. Frye is heard counting to three before tossing his grenades (supposedly to shorten the detonation time), yet it still takes several seconds before the grenades go off.

M18 Smoke Grenade

After collapsing with his feet riddled with bullets, Pvt. Gamble (Greg Collins) tries to pull the pin on an M18 Smoke Grenade to throw at Mason as a last ditch effort to kill him before Mason shoots out an air vent above him which crushes his head. In reality, a smoke grenade doesn't pose a threat for obvious reasons, though it could've brought unwanted attention.

M18 smoke grenade

"I got a little somethin' for ya..."
Pvt. Gamble tries to pull the pin on an M18 smoke grenade before being killed by Mason.

Heavy Weapons

General Dynamics M197 Vulcan

The three-barreled General Dynamics M197 Vulcan is seen chin-mounted on the AH-1 Cobras that escort the SEAL team to Alcatraz. This weapon is a mockup, as the Cobras used in the film were civilian-owned and likely the same choppers used in the films Courage Under Fire and The Siege.

General Dynamics M197 Vulcan - 20x102mm

The three-barreled General Dynamics M197 Vulcan is chin-mounted on the AH-1 Cobras that escort the SEAL team. This weapon is a mockup as the helicopters were likely the same civilian-owned ones used in the films Courage Under Fire and The Siege.

M61 Vulcan

The M61 Vulcan appears in the film as the secondary armament of the F/A-18 Hornets used for the bombing run on Alcatraz. This plane has the markings of the US Air Force, but in reality, Hornets are only operated in the US military by the Navy and Marine Corps.

M61 Vulcan - 20x102mm

The mockup of the F/A-18 Hornet, preparing to launch for the bombing run. Note the phony "U.S. Air Force" text, which contrasts with the real USMC VMFA-134 squadron markings along the fuselage's dorsal section. This exact mockup (with the same erroneous markings) was later used in reshoots for the film Independence Day.

Other

Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector

Hummel's Marines including Private Scarpetti (Jim Maniaci) use Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector tranquilizer pistols when infiltrating the base containing the VX gas.

Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projector

Private Scarpetti (Jim Maniaci) ready with his dual Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projectors.

The "Marine That Dies" (Ingo Neuhaus) also uses a pair of Palmer Cap-Chur Short Range Projectors.

A side on view of one of the tranquilizer pistols.

"The Protector"

When Goodspeed is messing around in his office, he shoots a flip down target with a suction dart spring gun labeled "The Protector". It appears to be based off a Mossberg 500 "Cruiser" with barrel ribbing.

A different model of "The Protector" used in The Rock.

Goodspeed with "The Protector. (Is this the most pointless entry ever posted on the site? Perhaps.)