China O'Brien

China O'Brien Theatrical Release Poster Country USA Directed by Robert Clouse Release Date 1988 Language English Studio Golden Harvest Company Main Cast Character Actor China O'Brien Cynthia Rothrock Matt Conroy Richard Norton Dakota Keith Cooke Edwin Sommers Steven Kerby Sheriff John O'Brien David Blackwell Deputy Marty Lickner Patrick Adamson

China O'Brien is a 1988 action film directed by Robert Clouse (the director of the 1973 Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon). Cynthia Rothrock stars in the film as China O'Brien, a police officer and martial arts expert who unexpectedly kills an armed person who appears to be a teenager during a shootout. Deeply shocked by this, she retires from the force and swears never again take up a gun. When she returns to her native Midwestern town where her father is sheriff, China finds the town under the power of a crime boss named Sommers. When there is an opening for the job of sheriff, Sommers plans to give the star to his devoted man, but then he finds China will run for sheriff herself. After she wins the election and with the help of her friend Matt Conroy (Richard Norton) and Native American biker Dakota (Keith Cooke), China starts cleaning up the town. While an English language film, China O'Brien was overseen by noted Hong Kong martial arts film producer Raymond Chow and his Golden Harvest Studios (known for producing several films starring Jackie Chan). Rothrock would return in the 1990 sequel China O'Brien II.

The following weapons were used in the film China O'Brien:

Revolvers

Smith & Wesson Model 36

In the opening scene China O'Brien (Cynthia Rothrock) uses a snub nose revolver that appears to be a nickel plated Smith & Wesson Model 36 (or possibly stainless Smith & Wesson Model 60).

Nickel Smith & Wesson Model 36 - .38 Special

China draws her revolver during the night shootout.

5-shot cylinder is seen.

Smith & Wesson Model 15

When China O'Brien retires from police service, she puts her service Smith & Wesson Model 15 revolver. Corrupt Deputy Marty Lickner (Patrick Adamson) also carries a Model 15. Same looking revolver is briefly seen in hands of a teenager whom China kills in the opening scene.

Smith & Wesson Model 15 - .38 Special

A revolver is hold by slain kid. The revolver has target sights and seemingly full underlug.

China's revolver and badge on the table of her superior.

Lickner holds his revolver during the climactic scene.

Smith & Wesson Model 67

Sheriff O'Brien (David Blackwell), China's father, carries a Smith & Wesson Model 67 (or possibly a nickel plated Model 15). In the final scene same looking revolver is used by crime boss Edwin Sommers (Steven Kerby).

Smith & Wesson Model 67 with wood grips - .38 Special

Sheriff O'Brien draws his revolver during the conflict in Beaver Creek pub.

The grips of the revolver are seen.

Sommers fires his revolver.

The revolver appears to be stainless or nickel plated.

Shotguns

Unidentified shotguns

A pair of pump action shotguns is briefly seen on the wall of Beaver Creek pub.

Barrels and pumps are seen at the right.

The shotguns are seen at far left.

Assault Rifles

M16A1

During the encounter on the sawmill one of Sommers' henchmen holds an M16A1 with sniper scope.

Colt M16A1 with 30 round magazine - 5.56x45mm

A henchman holds his scoped M16.

A view of the barrel.

CAR-15 Carbine

An M16 Carbine in CAR-15 style is used by several Sommers' henchmen, passing from man to man. In the climactic scene Dakota (Keith Cooke) disarms Lickner (Patrick Adamson) and uses the carbine. It is possibly a customized civilian semi-auto rifle that has A1 upper receiver, full fence lower receiver, collapsible stock, a flash hider in 4.25" Moderator style, and a bayonet lug.

Late 1970s model AR15 Sporter 1 Carbine - converted into an XM177 Lookalike for the film The Dogs of War - 5.56x45mm

A henchman fires the carbine in the night scene. Note a tiny muzzle flash.

A closeup of the flash hider. Its size is equal to 3.5" or even 4.25" Moderator but the slots are placed differently. The rifle sling is not attached to swivel but is strangely tied to front sight.

Lickner readies the rifle. The handguard is seen.

Dakota holds Lickner at gunpoint. Note A1 upper receiver, full fence lower receiver and collapsible stock.

A closeup of the rifle.

Another closeup. Note the bayonet lug and some strange device on the trigger guard. The trigger guard itself looks like a winter model.

Dakota holds the rifle during the confrontation with Sommers in stables. This is the only chance to estimate the barrel lenght that appears to be 11.5" or similar.

In the final scene the rifle falls in hands of an unnamed woman who was Sommers' sexual slave.

Trivia

China holds a crossbow on a photo.