Dark of the Sun

Dark of the Sun Original poster Country USA UK Directed by Jack Cardiff Release Date 1968 Studio MGM Distributor MGM Main Cast Character Actor Capt. Bruce Curry Rod Taylor Claire Yvette Mimieux Sgt. Ruffo Jim Brown Capt. Henlein Peter Carsten Dr. Wreid Kenneth More Lt. Surrier Olivier Despax Corporal Kataki Bloke Modisane Bussier André Morell

Dark of the Sun (in the UK released under the title The Mercenaries) is a 1968 movie directed by Jack Cardiff about a group of mercenaries sent on a dangerous mission during the Congo war.

The following weapons were used in the film Dark of the Sun:

Pistols

Walther P38

A Walther P38 pistol is a personal weapon of Capt. Henlein (Peter Carsten).

Walther P38 WWII dated with black grips - 9x19mm.

Henlein gives his P38 to drunk Dr. Wreid (Kenneth More) to let him shoot at bottles in the bar.

Dr. Wreid holds the P38.

Browning Hi-Power

Capt. Bruce Curry (Rod Taylor) had a pistol in his holster during the movie. He pulled it only in the final scene. The pistol is seen very briefly and unclear but due to the shape of its grip it could be identified as some version of Browning Hi-Power.

Classic Commercial Browning Hi-Power (Belgian Mfg) - 9x19mm

Curry (Rod Taylor) gives his pistol to Corporal Kataki (Bloke Modisane).

Curry's pistol is seen at the belt of Corporal Kataki. The black grip resembles a Inglis Hi-Power but the pistol lacks the typical 'humped' fixed rear sights of Canadian version.

Beretta M1934

A Beretta M1934 is seen in hands of Claire (Yvette Mimieux) when she runs to the train. Later Bussier (André Morell) used a Beretta M1934 to kill his wife and himself to prevent them from being caught alive by Simbas.

Beretta Model 1934 - .380 ACP

Clair runs with a pistol in hand.

Bussier draws his pistol.

SMG

Sterling SMG

Sterling SMGs (most likely Mk. IV version) are main weapons of Capt. Bruce Curry (Rod Taylor) and Sgt. Ruffo (Jim Brown).

Sterling Mk. IV Submachine Gun - 9x19mm.

Ruffo refuses to give his Sterling SMG to the UN soldiers.

Curry with his Sterling SMG.

Curry holds his SMG on a promotion still.

Ruffo and Curry fire their SMGs during the night attack.

M3 "Grease Gun"

M3 "Grease Gun" SMGs are main weapons of Capt. Henlein (Peter Carsten) and Lt. Surrier (Olivier Despax). In the scene in the bar drunk Dr. Wreid (Kenneth More) fires Henlein's SMG.

M3 "Grease Gun" - .45 ACP.

Dr. Wreid holds a "Grease Gun".

Surrier fires his M3 at attacking Simbas.

Henlein holds his M3 in the night scene.

Sten Mk I*

What appears to be a Sten Mk I* SMG is seen in hands of one of Simba commanders.

Sten Mk I* - 9x19mm

A Simba on jeep raises a Sten. A combination of skeleton buttstock and blunt nose matches Mk.I* version.

Rifles

FN FAL

Most Congolese soldiers are armed with FN FAL rifles with wooden furniture, except for Corporal Kataki (Bloke Modisane) and several soldiers who have rifles with black plastic handguards and wooden buttstocks.

FN FAL "G Series" - 7.62x51mm NATO

A Congolese soldier holds his FN FAL rifle.

A close view on the rifle.

Congolese soldiers fire at the UN aircraft that attacked the train. A rifle with black handguard is seen at the background.

Two soldiers fire at Simbas.

A close view of Corporal Kataki's rifle.

Type 56 Carbine

One of the firearms used by Simbas is Type 56 Carbine. It is correctly identified in the movie as "the Chinese rifle of Russian construction". This weapon is not seen in the hands of Simbas but one carbine is captured by Sgt. Ruffo (Jim Brown) and later used by Capt. Henlein (Peter Carsten).

Chinese Type 56 Carbine aka the Chinese SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm. The Chinese SKS has a stamped receiver and a spike bayonet (aka a "pig sticker").

Sgt. Ruffo examines a captured Type 56 carbine.

Capt. Henlein takes a Type 56 carbine.

Henlein unfolds the bayonet.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I

While most Simbas are armed with spears, knifes and other cold weapons, some of them carry Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I rifles.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I - .303 British.

A barrel of No.4 Mk.I rifle is seen behind Simba leader General Moses (Danny Daniels).

A Simba fighter with SMLE rifle is shot during the night attack of the mercenaries.

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III*

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifles are also seen in hands of Simbas.

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* - .303 British

A Simba fighter at the left holds a No.1 Mk.III* rifle.

Mauser Rifle

At least one Mauser-style rifle is also seen.

What appears to be some full-lenght Mauser rifle is seen at the right in hands of a Simba fighter.

MGs

Browning M1919A4

A Browning M1919A4 machine gun is mounted in the truck of the UN soldiers in the opening scene.

Browning M1919A4 on an M31C pedestal mount - .30-06 Springfield

Browning M2HB

Several Browning M2HB MGs are mounted in the train. They are used to repel the attack of UN airplane and against Simbas.

Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG.

Capt. Henlein (Peter Carsten) readies the M2HB for battle.

Lt. Surrier (Olivier Despax) mans the machine gun.

Capt. Curry (Rod Taylor), assisted by Corporal Kataki (Bloke Modisane), fire at the UN plane. The belt appears to be not loaded in the machine gun, and the muzzle flame is fake.

An M2 during the airplane attack.

Two M2HB on the flatcar.

A close view on the belt.

Sgt. Ruffo (Jim Brown) aims the machine gun at attacking Simbas.

Other Weapons

Mills Bomb

In the scene of the night attack Capt. Curry (Rod Taylor) uses several Mills Bombs.

No. 36M Mk.I "Mills Bomb" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade.

Curry holds a grenade.

A grenade on the floor in a second prior to explode.

Ordnance ML 3 inch Mortar

Simbas use a pair of Ordnance ML 3 inch Mortars to attack the train.

Ordnance ML 3 inch Mortar Mk II - 3.20 in

Simbas deploy two mortars on position.

A crewmember removes the protection cap from the mortar at the right while another crewmember readies a mortar shell.

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