The Final Option

The Final Option (1982)

Who Dares Wins (1982)

The Final Option or Who Dares Wins (Original British Title) is a 1982 action film starring Lewis Collins, Judy Davis, and Edward Woodward, with Richard Widmark, directed by Ian Sharp (The Professionals). Producer Euan Lloyd (The Wild Geese, Shalako) was so inspired by the storming of the Iranian embassy by the SAS in 1980, an event he watched live in person, he immediately got the ball rolling on a film about the SAS. Filming was done with the full cooperation of the SAS and the British Army. Star Lewis Collins had actually passed SAS selection at one point, but was ultimately rejected due to his fame.

The following guns were used in the film The Final Option (1982):

Heckler & Koch MP5A3

SAS troopers are armed with Heckler & Koch MP5A3 submachine guns. All of the MP5 still use the original straight "waffle" magazines.

Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with original "slimline" handguard and straight "waffle"-style magazine - 9x19mm

An SAS trooper standing guard at the training facility.

SAS trooper practice assaulting a building.

Captains Freund and Hagen with MP5s.

SAS troopers storm a rail car during a training exercise.

Browning Hi-Power

SAS troopers are shown using Browning Hi-Power pistols.

The first version of the classic pistol, developed by John Browning and adopted by Belgium in 1935, the FN P-35 - 9x19mm.

An SAS trooper begins to dissemble a Hi-Power.

An SAS trooper loads his Hi-Power before breaching.

L1A1 SLR

SAS troopers and Captains Hagen (Bob Sherman) and Freund (Albert Fortell) carry L1A1 SLR rifles during their field exercise in Wales.

British Inch Pattern L1A1 SLR (Self Loading Rifle) chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO - Variation of the FN FAL rifle. British & New Zealand SLR's were later fitted with black fibreglass furniture as seen here.

SAS troopers with SLRs.

Captain Skellen (Lewis Collins) with his SLR.

MAC-10

Most of the terrorists are armed with MAC-10 submachine guns. Some of them are fitted with suppressors. In the dialogue, they are described as being chambered in "9mm."

Ingram MAC-10 open bolt submachine gun - .45 ACP

Helga (Ingrid Pitt) demonstrating a MAC-10.

The trainees fire their MAC-10s.

Lewis Collins performing what may be a cinematic first: firing a MAC-10 using the iron sights.

Lewis Collins actually doing on film what video games had long assumed all along: taking ammo from a dropped gun.

Beretta M12

Frankie Leith (Judy Davis) and Rod Walker (John Duttine) are armed with Beretta M12 submachine guns.

Beretta PM12S - 9x19mm.

Frankie hijacks the bus.

What? It's an elegant dinner party!

Tokagypt Type 58

Rod Walker and Mac (Mark Ryan) are armed with Tokagypt Type 58 pistols.

Tokagypt Type 58 - 9x19mm parabellum left side

Rod shoots a Marine guard.

The Tokagypt grips can be seen in this shot.

Smith & Wesson Model 10

Helga uses a snub-nosed Smith & Wesson Model 10 during the kidnapping of Skellen's family.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 snub nose revolver - .38 Special.

Helga with her S&W Model 10.

The S&W Model 10 on the table.

Remington 870

An SAS trooper uses a Remington 870 shotgun to breach a door.

Remington 870 Police Folder with extended magazine tube - stock extended - 12 Gauge

The Remington 870 slung on the back of an SAS trooper as they board their Westland Scout helicopters.

L7 Machine Gun

An L7 Machine Gun machine gun is seen mounted on a Land Rover at the SAS training facility.

British L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun - 7.62x51mm NATO

XM177

An SAS trooper uses an XM177 during a training exercise.

Colt Model 609 aka U.S. Army's XM177E1- 5.56x45mm. This Carbine utilized the partial magazine fence, the tear drop forward assist, but kept the 10" barrel and Flash hider/Suppressor that did not have a grenade ring (a later feature on the E2 model).