Stalag 17

Stalag 17 Movie Poster Country United States Directed by Billy Wilder Release Date June 6, 1953 Language English German Russian Studio Paramount Pictures Distributor Paramount Pictures Main Cast Character Actor J.J. Sefton William Holden Lieutenant James Dunbar Don Taylor Oberst von Scherbach Otto Preminger Stanislas "Animal" Kuzawa Robert Strauss Harry Shapiro Harvey Lembeck "Hoffy" Hoffman Richard Erdman Frank Price Peter Graves Unteroffizier Johann Sebastian Schulz Sig Ruman

Stalag 17 is a 1953 WWII comedy/drama directed by Billy Wilder and starring William Holden, Don Taylor, as well as famed director Otto Preminger (1944's Laura). The film was an adaptation of the play of the same name by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski, which was in turn based on their own experiences as prisoners of war during World War II, although it was extensively rewritten by both Wilder and Edwin Blum. Hogan's Heroes, the 1965 television sitcom about POWs in a German Stalag that was released by Paramount (who also released this film) and Bing Crosby Productions, had enough of a similarity that writers Bevan and Trzcinski later unsuccessfully sued the television producers for copyright infringement. The film was a hit with critics and audiences, with William Holden winning the Academy Award for Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor nominations for Billy Wilder and Robert Strauss, respectively.

The following weapons were used in the film Stalag 17:

Browning M1919A4

German guards use Browning M1919A4 machine guns throughout the film. The Browning M1919 was a machine gun mainly used by US forces during the war, but its use here is not necessarily a goof, as captured weapons were often utilized to guard prison camps.

Browning M1919A4 on an M2 tripod - .30-06 Springfield

German guards open fire on escaping prisoners at the beginning of the film.

A German guard takes aim with his M1919 from the guard tower.

Karabiner 98k

German guards are armed with Karabiner 98k rifles which are equipped with hooded front sights. Sgt. Harry Shapiro (Harvey Lembeck) briefly gets his hands on one when a guard hands him his weapon during a volleyball game.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German guard armed with a K98k gets paint in his face from Sgt. Shapiro.

Schweinehund!

German guards stand over a body at the end of the film.

MG 42

At least one of the guard towers is equipped with an MG 42. Unlike the M1919, it is never fired during the film.

Maschinengewehr 42 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

An MG42 in a guard tower. Note the WWI-era Stahlhelm M16 helmet.

MG 42 with drum magazine - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A guard takes aim with his MG42. Despite being mounted in a guard tower, it is still fed from a 50-round drum.

Luger P08

Two German officers draw what appears to be Luger P08 sidearms during a ruckus. Since the ruckus involves a smudge pot, the weapons are obscured in what is actually in their hands.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm Parabellum

Two officers flanking Oberst von Scherbach (Otto Preminger) draw their sidearms.

MP 40

A guard fires what appears to be an MP40 submachine gun at the end of the film. The guard can be seen rapidly firing a weapon from the hip.

Maschinenpistole 40 - 9x19mm Parabellum

A guard with rapid muzzle flashes from hip level circled.

Guards in front of the door carry the SMG.