Windtalkers

Windtalkers (2002)

Windtalkers is a 2002 World War II film directed by John Woo and stars Nicolas Cage and Christian Slater as two USMC sergeants assigned to protect two Marines of Navajo descent (Adam Beach and Roger Willie) who serve as code talkers during the Battle of Saipan in the Pacific. The cast also included Peter Stormare, Noah Emmerich, Mark Ruffalo, and Jason Isaacs.

The following weapons were used in the film Windtalkers:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

US Army Weapons

Handguns

Colt M1911A1

Both Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) and Sgt. Pete "Ox" Henderson (Christian Slater) use Colt M1911A1 pistols as their sidearms. One of the mistakes is that the M1911A1 usually have four magazines as extra ammo, not two like in the film.

Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP

Enders primes a satchel charge while holding his M1911A1. If he had any plan to use the pistol, he'd cock the hammer and put it in his right hand.

Enders packs his M1911A1 in Yahzee's back when he disguises himself as a Japanese soldier to steal a radio.

Ox fires his M1911A1 after being stabbed by a bayonet. Note Christian Slater flinches terribly in this scene.

"I can't let them take us" - Ox prepares to kill Whitehorse when the Japanese overwhelm them.

Instead of killing Whitehorse, Ox whips him around and fires his M1911A1 some more.

Charlie Whitehorse (Roger Willie), eyes closed, picks up Ox's M1911A1 and fires it when a Katana-wielding Japanese officer decapitates Ox.

A close-up of Ox's M1911A1 when Yahzee picks it up and threatens to kill Enders. Note the milling on the ejection port, one of the procedures done to convert a real gun to fire blanks.

Enders reloads his M1911A1 during the final battle.

Yahzee forces Enders to turn his M1911A1 on him.

Submachine Guns

M1928 Thompson

Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) uses an M1928 Thompson fitted with a 50-round drum magazine during the opening battle in the swamps of Guadalcanal.

Screen-used M1928 Thompson - .45 ACP. This is a hero gun used by Nicolas Cage in the film.

Sgt. Joe Enders kills a Japanese soldier in the brush with his M1928 Thompson.

Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) fires his M1928 Thompson at the Japanese soldiers.

Sgt. Enders with his Thompson.

Sgt. Enders tries to help Bill over a log during the opening battle.

M1928A1 Thompson

For the rest of the film, Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) uses an M1928A1 Thompson fitted with a 30-round magazine. Sgt. Pete "Ox" Henderson (Christian Slater) also uses an M1928A1.

M1928A1 Thompson - .45 ACP

Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) lets loose his M1928A1 Thompson.

Sgt. Enders reloads his Thompson.

Sgt. Pete "Ox" Henderson (Christian Slater) fires his Thompson.

Sgt. Enders with his Thompson.

Sgt. Ox with his Thompson. This shot is clearly reversed since Christian Slater is right-handed and the ejection port is on the right side.

Ox fires his Thompson at the Japanese soldiers.

Another shot of Ox firing his Thompson.

Enders takes out three Japanese soldiers with his Thompson, firing it with one hand. In real life, the recoil of the Thompson would make it nearly impossible to accomplish this feat without completely missing, injuring yourself, or both.

Shotguns

Winchester Model 1897

Gunnery Sergeant Richard "Gunny" Hjelmstad (Peter Stormare) uses a Winchester Model 1897 "Trench Gun" as his weapon in the film, although he is never seen firing it. In the "Director's Cut", Hjelmstad uses the shotgun during the surprise Japanese attack on the village.

Winchester Model 1897 "Trench Gun" - 12 Gauge

A nice shot of the barrel of "Gunny" Hjelmstad's Winchester Model 1897.

Richard "Gunny" Hjelmstad (Peter Stormare) with his Winchester Model 1897.

Hjelmstad with his Winchester Model 1897 while taking cover from friendly artillery.

Hjelmstad pumps his Winchester Model 1897.

Hjelmstad with his Winchester Model 1897 slung over his back.

Hjelmstad gets shot by a Japanese gunner.

Rifles / Carbines

M1 Carbine

Both Private Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach) and Private Charlie Whitehorse (Roger Willie) use M1 Carbines throughout the film.

M1 Carbine - .30 Carbine

Private Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach) with his M1 Carbine.

Private Charlie Whitehorse (Roger Willie) carries his M1 Carbine while assaulting the beach.

Whitehorse fires his M1 Carbine.

Corporal Fortino (Billy Morts) fires his M1 Carbine.

Yahzee holds his M1 Carbine during a confrontation with a Japanese soldier.

Yahzee holds his M1 Carbine as he and a Japanese soldier get into a "Mexican" standoff (inevitable for a John Woo film). Note that the Japanese soldier couldn't fire anyway, given the bolt was still upturned and not locked.

Multiple Marines fire their M1 Carbines and M1 Garands.

Yahzee, eyes closed, fires his M1 Carbine.

Yahzee fires his M1 Carbine during the final battle.

M1 Garand

The M1 Garand is the most common weapon of the US Marines. Most notably seen used by Private Milo Pappas (Mark Ruffalo) and Private Thomas Nellie (Martin Henderson).

M1 Garand with M1 bayonet - .30-06

Enders' man Tommy with his M1 Garand in Guadalcanal.

M1 Garand - .30-06

Pvt. Milo Pappas (Mark Ruffalo) with his M1 Garand during the battle of Saipan.

Pvt. Thomas Nellie (Martin Henderson) with his M1 Garand.

Pvt. Nellie with his M1 Garand.

Pvt. Pappas fires his M1 Garand.

Pappas fires his M1.

Pappas fires his M1.

M1903 Springfield

Some of the Marines use M1903 Springfield rifles during the opening battle in Solomon Islands. USMC indeed fought with them in Guadalcanal, while the US Army was issued with M1 Garands. It should also be noted that M1903 rifles were commonly used alongside M1 Carbines and Garands due to M1 Garand shortages and that a number of front line Marine units were still using M1903s as infantry rifles up until the end of the World War II due to the shortage of M1 Garands.

M1903 Springfield Transitional (pre-WW2) issue - .30-06

A Marine with an M1903 Springfield fitted with an M1917 bayonet.

A Marine with an M1903 Springfield.

Machine Guns

M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle

Private Charles "Chick" Clusters (Noah Emmerich) uses an M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle as his role of the support gunner in the film, although his BAR is firing on the faster auto fire rate and has the bipod removed, suggesting it is used more in the assault rifle role.

M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06

Pvt. Charles "Chick" Clusters (Noah Emmerich) lets loose his BAR.

Pvt. Chick fires his BAR.

Pvt. Chick provides supporting fire with his BAR.

Pvt. Chick bullies Yahzee for "looking like a Nip". During this scene, a continuity error is present as the bolt on his BAR is seen both locked back and closed.

Pvt. Chick fires his BAR.

Pvt. Chick fires his BAR.

A nice side shot of the BAR.

Pvt. Chick aims his BAR.

Early model M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06

A Marine on the tank after Whitehorse killing sequence carries an early model BAR.

Browning M1919A4

Browning M1919A4 machine guns are seen mounted on M2 tripods, pintle-mounted on US jeeps, in a coaxial mount on M4 Sherman tanks as well as in the hands of the US infantry.

Browning M1919A4 - .30-06

The M4 Sherman tank has the Browning M1919A4 in a coaxial mount.

Two Marines ready a Browning M1919A4 during the battle of Saipan.

A Browning M1919A4 pintle-mounted on a jeep.

A Marine lugs an M1919A4 while another Marine carries the M2 tripod. Based on the way he carries the gun, it is assumed to be a resin prop since a real M1919 is far too heavy to carry by the barrel with the bulk of the gun hanging off the shoulder.

A Marine is seen manning an M1919A4 behind Gny. Sgt. Hjelmstad (Peter Stormare).

Browning M2HB

Browning M2HB machine guns are mounted on M4 Sherman tanks.

Browning M2HB - .50 BMG

The M4 Sherman has the Browning M2HB mounted on the hatch.

The Browning M2HB is seen as a Sherman gets hit by Japanese artillery.

A gunner with a Browning M2HB on a Sherman tank. Note how the belt box is an authentic 105-round .50 caliber model, though it appears the label has been erased and repainted.

A gunner gets killed after the tank is destroyed.

Others

M1A1 Bazooka

An M1A1 Bazooka is used by Marines during the battle of Saipan. When two Marines are attempting to take out a bunker with the launcher, the loader is wounded and the gunner is killed, so Sgt. Pete "Ox" Henderson (Christian Slater) runs out and does a stylish "judo-roll", grabbing the launcher in the process. The wounded loader gets back up and readies the weapon, and Ox takes out the bunker single-handedly. Some other Marines are also seen carrying this weapon.

M1A1 Bazooka - 2.36 inch

Two Marines attempt to fire an M1A1 Bazooka.

Sgt. Ox waits as the loader readies the Bazooka. Note the lack of a contact box on top of the tube, showing this to be an A1 model.

Sgt. Ox aims the Bazooka.

Sgt. Ox fires the Bazooka with his thumb blocking the sight.

A Marine lugs a Bazooka.

M2-2 Flamethrower

Private Andrew Harrigan (Brian Van Holt) uses an M2-2 Flamethrower as his weapon in the film. True to Hollywood Pvt. Harrigan's M2-2 Flamethrower explodes due to a single shot from an FMJ, engulfing the Private in fire and forcing Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) helps him out of his misery with his pistol. In reality, the fuel inside a flamethrower is often difficult to ignite, which is why built-in magnesium igniters are used. The gas used to pressurize the tanks is also non-flammable. In real life, a hit from an FMJ or lead round would most likely knock the operator off of his feet due to the massive pressure released from the small entrance hole. Although it should be noted that had incendiary ammunition been used there is a chance of an ignition of the tank/operator.

M2-2 Flamethrower

Pvt. Andrew Harrigan (Brian Van Holt) torches a Japanese bunker with his M2-2 Flamethrower.

Pvt. Harrigan burns a Japanese tank with his M2-2 Flamethrower.

Another shot of Harrigan torching the tank.

Here we see the flamethrower is a rubber prop, since even empty the tank weighs roughly 30lbs and the torch seems to slightly bend.

Harrigan with his flamethrower.

Harrigan's tank ignites when struck by a round, which is extremely unlikely, unless either it is an incendiary round or the tank is made of very weak metal.

Unknown Smoke Grenade

Marines throw unknown smoke grenades to cover the approach of Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) when he charges a Japanese bunker to throw a satchel charge inside.

Pvt. Thomas Nellie (Martin Henderson) about to throw a smoke grenade.

Mk 2 Hand Grenade

Mk 2 hand grenades are used by the Marines.

Mk 2 hand grenade

Tommy throws an Mk 2 grenade during the opening battle.

Pvt. Milo Pappas (Mark Ruffalo) pulls the pin of an Mk 2 grenade.

Sgt. Enders pops the primer handle off an Mk 2 grenade before throwing it in to kill Whitehorse (Roger Willie) and a group of Japanese soldiers.

M101 Howitzer

US soldiers fire M101 Howitzers in one scene.

M101 Howitzer - 105mm

The Howitzer before being fired.

Imperial Japanese Army Weapons

Handguns

Nambu Type 14

A Japanese soldier tries to draw his Nambu Type 14 from his holster before Pvt. Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach) stabs him with the Type 30 bayonet of his captured Arisaka Type 99 rifle.

Nambu Type 14 pistol - 8x22mm Nambu

A Japanese soldier tries to pull a Nambu Type 14 pistol from his holster. While much of the gun is not seen, the shape of the magazine base plate confirms it as a Type 14 as opposed to a Type 94 pistol.

Rifles

Arisaka Sniper Rifle

While not closely seen, a Japanese sniper takes out a few Marines with an Arisaka rifle, assumed to be a scoped model to fit the sniper role. But due to John Woo logic, he is no match for Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) and a quick hip fire burst from his Thompson.

Arisaka Type 99 sniper rifle - 7.7x58mm Arisaka

A Japanese sniper takes out Marines with an Arisaka sniper rifle.

Arisaka Type 99

The Arisaka Type 99 is the most common weapon of the Imperial Japanese Army. The early models contained a folding wire monopod, flip up sights with "anti-aircraft" bars, chrome-plated bores, and a dust cover. As the war went on, the quality had dropped, these late war rifles were known as "last ditch" rifles and were very crudely manufactured with most missing the accessories of the earlier models.

At one point in the film, Pvt. Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach) disguises himself as a Japanese soldier to acquire a radio after his destroyed, he also takes a substitute standard ("last ditch") Arisaka Type 99 along with the disguise.

Arisaka Type 99 - 7.7x58mm Arisaka

Arisaka Type 99 substitute standard ("last ditch") - 7.7x58mm Arisaka

Japanese soldiers fire their Arisaka Type 99 and substitute standard ("last ditch") Arisaka Type 99 rifles.

A Japanese soldier fires his Arisaka Type 99 after emerging from a hidden hole.

A Japanese soldier fires his Arisaka Type 99 rifle with the "anti-aircraft" sight flipped up.

The Japanese soldier in the foreground has an Arisaka Type 99. Notice the wire monopod.

A Japanese soldier crawls over to grab his Arisaka Type 99 after the Marines overwhelm the trenches.

A line up of Japanese weaponry.

Sgt. Enders does a brass check on a "last ditch" Arisaka Type 99 before handing it to Yahzee. Notice the non-adjustable sights and missing wooden top cover.

Yahzee with a "last ditch" Arisaka Type 99 while disguising as a Japanese soldier.

A Japanese soldier with his Type 99, this one with the sights flipped up but seems to be missing the "anti-aircraft" lead bars that fold out from the sights.

A Japanese soldier stabs Ox with the Type 30 bayonet of his Type 99.

A Japanese soldier prepares to stab Whitehorse with his Type 30 bayonet before being ordered not to so Whitehorse can be interrogated.

Machine Guns

Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun

Japanese soldiers are seen firing Type 92 Heavy Machine Guns in some scenes.

Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun - 7.7x58mm Arisaka

A Japanese soldier chambers a Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun. Note blank rounds on belt strip.

A Japanese soldier is seen manning a Type 92 in a line up of weapons.

Type 96 Light Machine Gun

The earlier Type 96 Light Machine Gun is used by Japanese soldiers during the invasion of Saipan.

Type 96 Light Machine Gun without magazine - 6.5x50mm Arisaka

A Japanese soldier fires a Type 96 Light Machine Gun during the battle of Saipan.

A Japanese soldier (played by stuntman Simon Rhee) fires a Type 96.

Type 99 Light Machine Gun

Japanese soldiers are seen mowing down Marines with Type 99 Light Machine Guns. While trying to steal a Japanese radio, Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) uses two Type 99s to cover Yahzee as he calls in. Some Type 99s have 20-round magazines.

Type 99 Light Machine Gun - 7.7x58mm Arisaka

A Japanese soldier fires a Type 99 hand-held.

Two Japanese soldiers fire their Type 99s from a bunker.

A line up of Japanese weaponry.

Enders unloads a Type 99 at Japanese soldiers in the trenches.

Enders picks up and fires a second Type 99.

Japanese soldiers ambush Marines in a minefield.

A Japanese soldier kills Gny. Sgt. Hjelmstad (Peter Stormare) with a Type 99 fitted with a Type 30 bayonet.

Others

Type 97 Hand Grenade

Japanese soldiers use Type 97 hand grenades during the opening battle in Guadalcanal. One of the grenades cripples Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) and damages his ear.

Type 97 hand grenade

A Japanese soldier primes a Type 97 hand grenade by tapping it on his helmet.

An airborne Type 97 grenade takes out one of Enders' men.

An incoming Type 97 grenade before hitting Enders.

Type 89 "Knee Mortar"

Type 89 "Knee Mortars" are used by Japanese soldiers during the unexpected assault on the Marines in the controlled village.

Type 89 "Knee Mortar" - 50mm

A Japanese soldier loads the Type 89 "Knee Mortar".

A Japanese soldier fires the Type 89 "Knee Mortar".

A Japanese soldier loads the Knee Mortar.

7.7cm Feldkanone 96 n. A.

During the landing on Saipan, Japanese soldiers are seen with a German 7.7cm Feldkanone 96 n. A. While a tad odd to be used by the Japanese, it could be a leftover from the German colonial occupation or as a stand-in for a Type 38 75mm cannon.

7.7cm Feldkanone 96 n. A.

An overflight camera shot shows the field gun.

Japanese soldiers fire the gun on the left. The shield is folded down.

Type 41 75mm Mountain Gun

A Type 41 75mm mountain gun is briefly seen next to the Feldkanone.

Type 41 75mm Mountain Gun

The gun before firing.

Type 96 15cm Howitzer

The Type 96 15cm Howitzer is used by Japanese troops.

Rear view of the howitzer.

Type 45 240mm Howitzer

Japanese soldiers use a fixed Type 45 240mm howitzer to ambush an American convoy.

The howitzer being prepared.