The Flowers of War

The Flowers of War Film poster Country China Hong Kong Directed by Zhang Yimou Release Date 2011 Language Mandarin Japanese English Studio Beijing New Picture Film Co. EDKO Film New Picture Company Distributor Row 1 Entertainment Wrekin Hill Entertainment Lionsgate Home Entertainment Main Cast Character Actor John Miller Christian Bale Yu Mo Ni Ni Major Li Dawei Tong Colonel Hasegawa Atsurô Watabe

The Flowers of War is a 2011 Chinese historical drama directed by Zhang Yimou and based on the novel "13 Flowers of Nanjing" by Geling Yan. During the "Rape of Nanking" (Second Sino-Japanese War), an American mortician John Miller (Christian Bale), group of schoolgirls and prostitutes from a nearby brothel finding sanctuary in a Catholic church. To rescue women John tries posing himself as a priest.

The following weapons were used in the movie The Flowers of War

Handguns

Nambu Type 14

Imperial Japanese officers use Nambu Type 14 pistols.

Early Nambu Type 14 - 8x22mm Nambu

Japanese officer holds his Nambu Type 14 pistol.

Same officer.

Japanese officer fires his Nambu at Major Li.

Mauser C96

Major Li (Dawei Tong) carries a holstered Mauser C96 pistol.

Mauser C96 - 7.63x25mm Mauser

A Mauser C96 in Major Li's holster.

Submachine Guns

Sten Mk II (modified to resemble Haenel-Schmeisser MP28/II)

Some Chinese Nationalist soldiers can be seen armed with the Sten Mk II submachine guns (probably airsoft replicas) visually modified to resemble Haenel-Schmeisser MP28/II submachine guns. Same props can be seen in Cold Steel.

Sten Mk II - 9x19mm

Haenel-Schmeisser MP28/II Submachine Gun - 9x19mm

Chinese Nationalist soldier aims his fake MP28/II.

Another Chinese Nationalist soldier with his fake MP28/II SMG.

This one has original MP28/II style barrel shroud.

Chinese soldiers get shot by Japanese tank machine gun. The MP28/II on the left.

Rifles

Type Zhongzheng Rifle

The Type Zhongzheng Rifle is used by Chinese Nationalist soldiers, including Major Li, in defense of Nanking.

Type Zhongzheng rifle - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Chinese soldiers aim their Type Zhongzheng rifles.

Chinese soldier holds his Zhongzheng rifle.

Major Li holds his scoped Type Zhongzheng rifle.

Major Li fires his scoped rifle at Japanese soldiers. Here, we see the scope is mounted ahead of the bullet chamber, allowing the use of a straight bolt handle.

Arisaka Type 38

The Imperial Japanese soldiers use the Arisaka Type 38 in the battle and occupation of Nanking.

Arisaka Type 38 rifle - 6.5x50mm Arisaka

Japanese soldier aims his Arisaka Type 38 rifle at John Miller.

Japanese soldiers hold their Arisaka Type 38 rifles.

Machine Guns

Bren Gun

The Bren Gun is used by Chinese Nationalist soldiers in the defense of Nanking. Based on the straight magazine these appear to be Canadian manufacture Brens which were chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser and supplied to China during WWII (making their appearance during the Nanking Massacre as depicted here anachronistic).

Bren Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser. This variant of the Bren was manufactured by Inglis in Canada and was supplied to the Chinese army during WWII.

Chinese soldier fires the Bren.

Chinese soldier fires the Bren light machine gun. Another soldier prepares to throw Type 67 stick grenade at Japanese soldiers.

Chinese soldier holds the Bren.

Type 11 Light Machine Gun

The Type 11 Light Machine Gun is used by Imperial Japanese soldiers.

Type 11 Light Machine Gun - 6.5x50mm Arisaka.

Japanese soldier fires the Type 11 LMG at Major Li's position.

Japanese soldier holds the Type 11 LMG.

Type 91 Tank Machine Gun

Type 94 tankettes armed with Type 91 Tank Machine Gun (Type 11 LMG modified to be a tank mounted).

Type 91 Light Machine Gun, vehicle mounted version of the Type 11, in tank mount - 6.5x50mm Arisaka

Type 94 tankette fires a Type 91 tank machine gun.

Japanese Type 94 tankette.

Grenades

Type 67 stick grenade

The Type 67 Stick Grenade is used by Chinese Nationalist soldiers, including Major Li (Dawei Tong).

Type 67 High-Explosive Fragmentation stick grenade.

Type 67 stick grenades on a ground.

Numerous Type 67 stick grenades on a Chinese soldier's back.

A Type 67 stick grenade is seen.

Type 97 hand grenade

Japanese soldiers use Type 97 hand grenades.

Type 97 hand grenade.

Japanese soldier about to throw his grenades.