Romeo + Juliet

Romeo + Juliet Country USA Canada Australia Mexico Directed by Baz Luhrmann Release Date 1996 Studio Bazmark Distributor 20th Century Fox Main Cast Character Actor Romeo Montague Leonardo DiCaprio Juliet Capulet Claire Danes Tybalt Capulet John Leguizamo Mercutio Harold Perrineau Father Lawrence Pete Postlethwaite Balthasar Jesse Bradford The Nurse Miriam Margolyes Benvolio Dash Mihok

Romeo + Juliet is a 1996 feature film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The film updates the setting to modern day and the "swords" and "daggers" mentioned in the original text have been changed to firearms. Directed by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge!), the film features Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo Montague, Claire Danes as Juliet Capulet, John Leguizamo as Tybalt Capulet, Harold Perrineau as Mercutio and Pete Postlethwaite as Father Lawrence.

The following weapons were used in the film Romeo + Juliet:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

Para-Ordnance P-13

The main sidearm carried by Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) is the Para-Ordnance P-13, which is later used by Juliet. During the gas station shootout, Sampson (Jamie Kennedy) packs a customized gold-plated version. It is also a pistol held by many characters during the film.

Para-Ordnance P-13 - .45 ACP

Sampson brandishes his gold-plated P-13 with custom 'Montague' magazine base plate.

Sampson (Jamie Kennedy) holds his P-13 as he looks on during the early gas station standoff between Benvolio and Tybalt.

No doubt this is the highlight of Harold Perrineau's career. Also note how other members of the 'Montague' faction use similar stainless P-13s.

Sexy.

Mercutio looks on, holding Romeo's gun, as Romeo talks to Juliet's nurse. The gun appears to have changed to a P14 at this point, due to the longer slide and the fact it says "P14.45" on the slide.

Mercutio fires Romeo's pistol into the air in a bid to get his attention. And I have no idea why Benvolio, in the background, looks like he's passing some sort of large kidney stone. Again this gun is the P-14 version, possibly due to the P-13 looking out of proportion to the actor or maybe it's an entirely different gun, and therefore not art thou Romeo's

Romeo looks on as Balthasar approaches with news from Verona.

Romeo peers through a small gap in the entrance to the Capulet mausoleum

Romeo's pistol with gold detailing.

Taurus PT99 AFS

Most of the 9mm handguns used in the movie by various characters are Taurus PT99 AFS pistols (a variant of the PT92 with raised, adjustable sights) with a number of modifications to make them look "artsy". In addition, the guns' brand names are particular types of knives and swords, so that the filmmakers did not have to change the original dialog by Shakespeare. Since so many of the main characters in the film use these pistols, and each is different in some way, they have been given each their own sub-section. All of the Taurus pistols used in the film were built by armorer Charles Taylor at Movie Armaments Group; they were later sold to a collector and have occasionally appeared at public exhibitions.

Older-model Taurus PT99 AFS - 9x19mm

Benvolio's 'Sword 9mm Series S'

Benvolio's (Dash Mihok) 'Sword 9mm Series S' features an extended, gold-plated barrel, extended slide and golden detailing. It also has trinkets which hang from the lanyard hoop on the mainspring housing of the gun, which is a feature shared by many other pistols belonging to other characters.

"Sword 9mm Series S"

Benvolio (Dash Mihok) draws his "Sword 9mm Series S" pistol (a modified Taurus PT99 in reality).

Benvolio's gun features a gold-plated barrel.

Benvolio and Mercutio discuss and mock Tybalt's fighting style.

Mercutio holds Benvolio's gun to his head as they continue to play-fight and mock Tybalt.

Tybalt's 'Rapier 9mm Series R'

Tybalt's (John Leguizamo) 'Rapier 9mm Series R' pistols by far and away steal the show. They feature compensators, extended spring guides and extended, gold-plated barrels, with custom 'Holy Mary' grips. One of the pistols features attachments points for a rail fitted with a C-More red-dot sight (which is depicted in the film - inaccurately - as a magnified optic). Seemingly like every other pistol in the movie, it also features gold detailing. (Gold-plated safeties, triggers etc.) The flamboyant pistols reflect the flamboyant and...interesting way Tybalt fights. Twirling, spinning, leaping in the air firing both guns akimbo. This fighting style is later mocked by Benvolio and Mercutio later in the film. Tybalt sometimes fires each pistol using his middle finger.

Tybalt's (John Leguizamo) "Rapier 9mm Series R". Note that this gun also has a quick-release mount for a C-more scope.

One of Tybalt's Rapiers. Note the frame mounted safety, and also that the hammer is half-cocked in this image.

Tybalt holding the pistol as if it were an actual sword.

Tybalt attaches a C-More sight onto one of his flamboyant pistols.

Tybalt brandishes the weapon.

Taking aim with the pistol.

If only IPSC was as badass as this.

Abra takes out one of Tybalt's pistols, loading it with only one round for the duel between him and Romeo.

The last time we, as the audience, see Tybalt's Rapier.

Mercutio's 'Dagger 9mm'

By far and away one of the most impressive pistols ever to grace the silver screen, Mercutio (Harold Perrineau) carries a Taurus PT99 with transparent magazines, the grips removed, compensator and a gold-plated barrel. It also features various frame and slide cut-outs revealing the inner workings of the gun.

"Dagger 9mm"

Mercutio (Harold Perrineau) standing proud after firing his beautiful pistol into the ocean.

Another shot of this pistol.

Mercutio, discussing the upcoming duel with Tybalt, is playfully tested in his drawing skill by a fellow Montague.

'Dagger 9mm'

Having a gun like this, you really shouldn't throw it in the sand.

Smith & Wesson Model 629 Classic

A fellow Montague pulls out his Smith & Wesson Model 629 Classic when Mercutio discusses the upcoming duel with Tybalt.

Smith & Wesson Model 629 Classic - .44 Magnum

A fellow Montague holds a fearsome revolver to the head of Mercutio, testing his draw.

Another view.

Beretta 92FS (two-tone)

Two-tone Beretta 92FS pistols were used by the characters Abra and Petruchio, seen very early on in the film during the gas station shootout.

Two Tone Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm.

Reverse Two Tone Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm.

Petruchio has his Berretta two tone with a stainless barrel and slide, with a black frame...

...while Abra has his in reverse, with a black barrel and slide but with a stainless frame.

Beretta 92FS Inox

A Beretta 92FS Inox with gold-plated controls is seen briefly in the hands of a Verona Beach Police officer. Due to a continuity error, this same pistol replaces Romeo's Para-Ordnance P-13 when he fires upon the police.

Beretta 92FS Inox - 9x19mm

Even the police officers have stylish guns.

Strangely, Romeo's P-13 turns into a Beretta 92FS Inox in the brief firefight with Cpt. Prince.

Even this gun, which has less than a second of screen time, is tricked out with lashings of gold.

Walther P5 Compact

Juliet (Claire Danes) holds a Walther P5 Compact pistol with pearl grips to her head. This same gun was later used (with a suppressor) by Willem Dafoe in The Boondock Saints. Charles Taylor was the armorer on both The Boondock Saints and Romeo + Juliet, and his company MAG supplied all guns for both films. It could be the same P5; the pearl grips might have simply been removed for the later film.

Walther P5 Compact - 9x19mm

Juliet pulls back the slide of her pearl-gripped Walther P5 Compact.

Juliet with the Walther P5 to her head.

Father Lawrence (Pete Postlethwaite) finds himself in a very bad situation.

The high-octane adventures of Father Lawrence.

Glock 17

A Glock 17 is seen incredibly briefly in the hands of a guest, who collects it from a security tent after attending the Capulet's house party. Glock 17s are also used by most of the police officers in the film.

2nd Generation Glock 17 - 9x19mm

A guest checks and loads his Glock 17, before placing it back into his holster.

Shotguns

Techno Arms MAG-7M1

The "Longsword" which Ted Montague reaches for is actually a South African-manufactured Techno Arms MAG-7M1 shotgun. This same gun is later seen hung in a gun collection tent at the Capulet's house party.

Techno Arms MAG-7M1 - 12 gauge

The "Longsword" (in actuality, a MAG-7M1).

The MAG-7M1 is seen again in the background.

Double Barreled Shotgun

A double barreled shotgun is seen in the hands of the Apothecary (M. Emmet Walsh) Romeo visits when he wishes to buy poison.

Romeo knows money talks.

Mossberg 590

A VBPD SWAT officer can be briefly seen aiming a Mossberg 590 at Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) during the church confrontation.

Mossberg 590 with ghost ring sights, bayonet lug, and speedfeed stock - 12 gauge

VPDB SWAT pumping his Mossberg 590.

Submachine Guns

MP5K Replica

One of the uniformed guards at the Capulet party originally appears to be armed with an Heckler & Koch MP5K, however upon closer inspection appears to be an airsoft replica, most likely a Daisy Airsoft "Model 15". Note the foregrip appears to be a spring pump action design.

Daisy "Model 15" Replica Airsoft gun.

One of the Capulet hired security stands guard at a party where Romeo sneaks in with Mercutio.

Heckler & Koch HK94

Chopped and converted Heckler & Koch HK94s are carried by numerous Verona Beach Police SWAT team officers, often imitating MP5A2s and A3s. (Thanks again to Gunmaster45)

A "fake MP5", a chopped and converted Heckler & Koch HK94 made to resemble a Heckler & Koch MP5A2 - 9x19mm

Another "fake MP5", an HK94 made to resemble a Heckler & Koch MP5A3 - 9x19mm

A Verona Beach SWAT team member holds a HK94. Note the lack of barrel lugs.

Hard to tell, but it looks as though a guard holds an MP5/HK94 variant at the Capulet's house party checkpoint.

A police officer fires his HK94 at Romeo.

Rifles

Colt Commando

A Colt Commando is carried by Verona Beach SWAT as well as a few security personnel at the Capulet's house party.

Colt Commando - 5.56x45mm

Guards watch as the Montague Boys pull up at the checkpoint.

M16A1

A number of M16A1s, some with A2 style handguards, can be seen in the hands of the Verona Beach Police SWAT officers in the film.

M16A1 with 30 Round magazine - 5.56x45mm

M16A1 with A2 style handguards - 5.56x45mm

An M16A1 shown briefly in the background. Note how he grips the forward sight instead of the handguard.

More SWAT officers, one being armed with an M16A1.

The heads of the Montague and Capulet households watch as the bodies of Romeo and Juliet are taken away from the Mausoleum.

FN FAL

An FN FAL is briefly carried by a Verona Beach SWAT officer in the beginning of the film.

FN FAL 50.00 - 7.62x51mm NATO

A Verona Beach PD SWAT member looks over the brawl between Benvolio and Tybalt with an FN FAL at his side.

Heckler & Koch G3SG/1

The Heckler & Koch G3SG/1 is carried by the Verona Beach Police SWAT officers.

Heckler & Koch G3SG/1 - 7.62x51mm NATO

A H&K G3SG/1 is seen next to another SWAT team member holding an MP5.

A G3SG/1 in the hands of a SWAT team member, training his sights on Benvolio and Tybalt below.

A SWAT team member shoots at Romeo upon his return to Verona.

Another view.

Colt Carbine

A police officer briefly fires an unidentified Colt Carbine variant at Romeo.

Colt Model 653 - 5.56x45mm

The police officer firing his rifle at Romeo. His colleague is firing a Beretta 92FS.

Machine Guns

M60

An M60 can be briefly seen when SWAT officers board the helicopters to chase Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio).

M60 machine gun with bipod folded - 7.62x51mm NATO

A Verona Beach PD SWAT officer runs to board Captain Prince's (Vondie Curtis-Hall) helicopter.

The M60 gunner mounts his weapon on the left side of the helicopter but later (maybe due to the shot composition) it is not visible during the gunfight.