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 were used in the film White Sun of the Desert (Beloye solntse pustyni):

Handguns

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

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

Semyon (Vladimir Kadochnikov), Abdullah's second-in-command, with two Nagants (one his own and the other taken from Sukhov). 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.

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 M1891/30 Rifle

Young soldier Petrukha (Nikolai Godovikov) carries a Mosin Nagant M1891/30 rifle with bayonet. His rifle is in poor condition and often misfires.

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

Sukhov look at Petrukha's rifle.

Petrukha with M1891.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine

Several characters carry Mosin Nagant M1938 carbines, notably Sayid (Spartak Mishulin).

Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine - 7.62x54mmR.

Sayid readies his 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.

Machine Guns

Lewis Machine Gun

Lewis light machine gun is seen in Sukhov's (Anatoly Kuznetsov) hands.

Lewis Gun - .303 British

Sukhov repairs Lewis taken from a pile of old weapon.

Degtyaryov DP-27 (visually modified to resemble Lewis machine gun)

In firing scenes Lewis Gun is substituted with a visually modified Degtyaryov DP-27.

DP-27 machine gun, 7.62x54mm R

Sukhov fires a DP-27 (mocked up 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 retired 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 the 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.

Trivia

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

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