The Last Emperor

The Last Emperor Theatrical poster Country PR China Italy UK Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci Release Date 1987 Language English Mandarin Japanese Russian Studio Recorded Picture Company (RPC) Hemdale Film Corporation AAA Soprofilms Yanco Films Limited Distributor Columbia Pictures Main Cast Character Actor Puyi John Lone Wan Jung Joan Chen Reginald 'R. J.' Johnston Peter O'Toole Chen Pao Shen Ric Young

The Last Emperor is a 1987 biographical epic drama directed by Bernardo Bertolucci that chronicles the ultimately tragic life of China's last emperor, Puyi (known in the West as Pu Yi). The film follows the emperor (portrayed as an adult by John Lone) from being worshipped by a billion people to his life as a humble gardener in the People's Republic of China. The film was highly acclaimed and would subsequently be nominated for nine Academy Awards and would receive all nine, including the Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.

The following weapons were used in the film The Last Emperor:

Pistols

FN Model 10

Upon hearing the Forbidden City's corrupt eunuchs have burnt down a storehouse to cover their tracks, Puyi (John Lone) pulls out an FN Model 10 and holds it on the servant who told him the news. This pistol isn't seen in the rest of the film.

FN Model 1910 - .380 ACP

Puyi pulls the FN Model 10 pistol out of his robe when told about the storehouse.

Walther P38

A Walther P38 is used to assassinate Puyi's driver in Manchukuo.

Walther P38 - World War II dated - 9x19mm

Glisenti Model 1910

Amidst the confusion of the Russian invasion of Manchukuo (a Japanese puppet state in Manchuria, whose position of head of state was offered to Puyi) in August 1945, one of Puyi's Japanese advisers commits suicide with a Glisenti Model 1910 pistol.

Glisenti Model 1910 - 9mm Glisenti

The Glisenti Model 1910 is seen in the hand of the Japanese adviser.

Submachine Guns

PPSh-41

At the beginning of the film, the guards at the Chinese political prison where Puyi is being kept are armed with PPSh-41s fitted with stick magazines. The Soviet paratroops who capture Puyi at the end of World War II are also armed with the submachine gun.

Soviet PPSh-41 Submachine Gun with 35 round stick magazine - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

PPSh-41 Submachine Gun - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

At the beginning of the film, the guards at the Chinese political prison where Puyi is being kept are armed with PPSh-41s.

A guard at the Chinese political prison where Puyi is being kept is armed with a PPSh-41.

After discovering the plane has no pilots, Puyi and co. are captured by Russian soldiers.

Puyi has a PPSh-41 pointed at him as he realizes he has reached the end of the line.

Rifles

Hanyang Type 88

The Kuomintang troops who force Puyi out of the Forbidden City in 1924 are all armed with Hanyang Type 88 rifles, as distinguishable by their slightly curved magazines. The Hanyang was an unlicensed copy of the Gewehr 1888 Commission Rifle. The rifles could be rubber props or badly treated Chinese surplus since they lack a bayonet lug.

Hanyang Type 88 rifle - 7.92x57mm

The Kuomintang troops who force Puyi out of the Forbidden City in 1924 are all armed with Hanyang Type 88 rifles.

The troops with their rifles open the gate to allow Puyi to leave.

The Kuomintang troops armed with Hanyang Type 88 rifles while in the Forbidden City.

Mauser Gewehr 98

Some Kuomintang soldiers are armed with German Mauser Gewehr 98s.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Note the soldier at center-right has a Gew.98 slung over his shoulder, distinguished by the Lange-Visier rear sight, short handguard, and bolt handle located at the rear of the receiver.

Type 24 Zhongzheng

At least, Chinese soldiers can be seen with Type 24 Zhongzheng rifles.

Type 24 Zhongzheng rifle - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Note the soldier on the left edge.

Arisaka Type 38

Japanese soldiers are armed with Arisaka Type 38 rifles.

Arisaka Type 38 rifle - 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka

The soldier in the background holds an Arisaka with dust cover.

Machine Guns

Hotchkiss Gun

When leaving the Forbidden City, the Kuomintang has a pair of armored cars escort Puyi and his entourage out. Both of the cars are armed with Hotchkiss machine guns.

M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun with Tripod

Browning M1919

Browning M1919 machine guns are seen outside Puyi's residence in Manchuria.

Browning M1919 machine guns are seen outside Puyi's residence in Manchuria.

Nambu Type 99

The two soldiers making up Puyi's bodyguard in Manchukuo are both armed with Type 99 Machine Guns.

Type 99 light machine gun - 7.7x58mm Arisaka

Puyi sulks around the Wei Huang Gong palace as the Russian army draws closer. His bodyguards have the LMGs.

The (former) Empress Ran Wong drunkenly makes her way up the stairs of the palace.

A bodyguard with a Type 99 stands watch as Puyi tries to flee Manchukuo with a Beechcraft 18 standing for a Japanese Kawasaki Ki-56 transport aircraft.