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Verdun: Visions of History
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Verdun: Visions of History is a 1928 French silent film directed by Léon Poirier that recounts the Battle of Verdun, which took place in 1916 during the First World War. It is as much a documentary as a work of fiction. Apart from a few brief scenes, most of the film shows the fighting from both the French and the enemy's point of view. Archival footage is also used, such as that showing Wilhelm II, where fiction is skillfully blended with reality. The film was shot at the very scene of the carnage. Ten years after the end of the conflict, Poirier used the battlefields and ruins of the forts at Vaux and Douaumont. The French and German extras are veterans of the war, along with a few professional actors. Recruits completed the extras.
A sound version, Verdun, souvenirs d'histoire, was produced in 1931.
The following weapons were used in the film Verdun: Visions of History:
Pistols
Luger P08
A Luger P08 is briefly seen in the hand of a German soldier.
Rifles
Berthier Mle. 1907/15 M16
Various French soldiers are armed with Berthier Mle 1907-16 rifles. The use of this rifle at the beginning of the battle is anachronistic.
Lebel Mle. 1886
The majority of French soldiers use Lebel 1886 M93 rifles.
Mauser Gewehr 1898
German soldiers use Mauser Gewehr 1898 rifles. Stoßtrupps (Shock Troops) also use this rifle instead of Mauser 98AZ Carbines.
Mauser Karabiner 1871
An unused Mauser Karabiner 1871 is seen inside an observation bunker.
Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. III*
British soldiers can be seen with Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifles during preparations for the Battle of the Somme. These scenes are documentary footage.
Machine Guns
Hotchkiss Mle. 1914
French soldiers use Hotchkiss M1914 Machine Guns in the battle.
Maxim MG 08
The Maxim MG08 is used by German soldiers.
Vickers Aircraft Machine Gun
Two Vickers Aircraft Machine Guns are mounted on a French plane.
Hand Grenades
Model 1914 Ball Grenade
Some French soldiers use the Model 1914 Ball Grenade during the battle.
Model 24 Stielhandgranate
German soldiers use anachronistic Model 24 Stielhandgranates instead of correct Model 15 or Model 16 Stielhandgranates.
Model 16 Stielhandgranate
What appears to be a correct Model 16 Stielhandgranate can be seen in a German trench.
Other
Chobert Mle. 1917
A German soldier is seen firing a Chobert Mle. 1917 flare pistol standing in for the Hebel M1894.
