White Sun of the Desert (Beloye solntse pustyni)

White Sun of the Desert (Beloye solntse pustyni) DVD Cover Country USSR Directed by Vladimir Motyl Release Date 1970 Language Russian Studio Mosfilm Lenfilm Main Cast Character Actor Fyodor Sukhov Anatoly Kuznetsov Abdullah the Black Kakhi Kavsadze Pavel Vereshchagin Pavel Luspekaev Sayid Spartak Mishulin Petrukha Nikolai Godovikov Gyulchatai Tamara Fedotova Nastasya Vereshchagina Raisa Kurkina

White Sun of the Desert (Beloye solntse pustyni) is a 1970 classic Russian "Eastern" film by Vladimir Motyl, one of the most popular Russian films of all time. The setting is the east shore of the Caspian Sea where the Red Army soldier Fyodor Sukhov (Anatoly Kuznetsov) fight against the gang of outlaws lead by Abdullah the Black (Kakhi Kavsadze).

The following weapons are seen in the movie White Sun of the Desert:

Revolvers

Nagant M1895

The Nagant M1895 is personal weapon of main character, Fyodor Sukhov (Anatoly Kuznetsov). This weapon was handed to him by his commander as award, so Sukhov appreciates his revolver and use it in most firefight scenes. Several Abdullah's men also use Nagant revolvers.

Nagant M1895 - 7.62x38R cartridge (aka 7.62 Nagant ammo).

Sukhov (Anatoly Kuznetsov) with his Nagant, wounded in shoulder.

Semyon (Vladimir Kadochnikov), Abdullah's second-in-command, with two Nagants. Note Japanese katana at his side.

File:WSoD-Nagant3.jpg

Another view on Semyon's Nagants.

One of the Abdullah's men hit with lasso. He is armed with Nagant M1895 in one hand and Reichsrevolver M1879 in other.

Reichsrevolver M1879

Reichsrevolver M1879 revolvers are used by several Abdullah's men. Later Sayid (Spartak Mishulin) took the revolver from one of the brigands but never fired it.

Reichsrevolver M1879 Revolver - 10,6x25R.

One of the Abdullah's men hit with lasso. He is armed with Nagant M1895 in one hand and Reichsrevolver M1879 in other.

A brigand aims Reichsrevolver at Sayid (Spartak Mishulin).

Sayid disarm es a brigand.

Sayid take back his weapons.

Pistols

Mauser C96

Mauser C96 is personal weapon of Abdullah and several of his men. Sukhov also use Mauser C96 during firefight on the shore, knocking out the weapon from hand of Ibraghim, commander of small group sent to capture Sukhov.

Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" - 7.63x25mm Mauser.

Ibraghim aim his Mauser C96 on Sukhov.

Sukhov knock out Ibraghim's Mauser.

Sukhov (Anatoly Kuznetsov) with captured Mauser.

Abdullah's (Kakhi Kavsadze) Mauser.

Abdullah's Mauser and dagger on the floor.

Vereshchagin (Pavel Luspekaev) with Mauser during the shootout on the boat.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant Rifle

Several characters carry Mosin Nagant Rifles, notably Sayid (Spartak Mishulin) and young soldier Petrukha (Nikolai Godovikov).

Full-length Mosin Nagant M91/30 - 7.62x54mmR.

Sukhov look at Petrukha's M1891 with bayonet. The rifle is in poor condition and often misfires.

Petrukha with M1891.

Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine - 7.62x54mmR.

Sayid ready his carbine. It is M38 Carbine - an anachronism, but it is similar to old M1907 Carbine.

Sayid's M38 Carbine.

File:WSoD-Mosin5.jpg

Sayid fires M38 Carbine from under his horse.

Winchester rifle

A rifle seen in hands of one of Abdullah's men look similar to Winchester Model 1894. It doesn't have a hammer; also, the receiver and barrel look different. This rifle is seen only non-firing. According to Russian website talks.guns.ru it is really Model 1894 but well-worn and maybe assembled from parts of several rifles. Its hammer was simply lost.

One of outlaws with Winchester-like rifle.

MGs

Lewis Machine Gun

Lewis light machine gun is used by Sukhov (Anatoly Kuznetsov).

Lewis Gun - .303 British

Sukhov repairs Lewis taken from a pile of old weapon.

Degtyaryov DP-27 modified to resemble Lewis machine gun

DP-27 machine gun, 7.62x54mm R

Sukhov shoots Degtyaryov DP-28 modified to resemble Lewis from the top of oil tank.

Vereshchagin, go away from the longboat!

Fake Lewis without ammo.

Hotchkiss Light Machine Gun

A Hotchkiss LMG is seen in the house of custom officer Pavel Vereshchagin (Pavel Luspekaev). It never fired during the movie and wound up being dumped into the sea by Vereshchagin's wife who wanted to keep her husband at home.

Hotchkiss Model 1922. Strip-fed version

No, lads, I'll not give you machine gun.... Drunken Vereshchagin with his machine gun. Note the flexible belt which wasn't used on the real Hotchkiss and appears to be taken from the PK MG.

Close up of Vereshchagin's machine gun

These guns, these bullets... plague on them!. Vereshchagin's wife throws her husband's weapon overboard. .

Other

Crate of dynamite.

Sukhov lights a cigarette from the fuse of dynamite. Next second he will throw the explosive far away with the same "poker face".

Trivia

Abdullah's gang with different weapon. A very picturesque spectacle!

Original cinema poster for White Sun of the Desert (1970)