The Big Red One (1980)

The Big Red One is a 1980 World War II film that follows members of a rifle squad of the US 1st Infantry Division during their tour in the European theater of the war. The squad consists of four soldiers who come to be known as the "Four Horsemen": Griff (Mark Hamill), Zab (Robert Carradine), Vinci (Bobby Di Cicco), and Johnson (Kelly Ward), who are led by an NCO known only as the Sergeant (Lee Marvin). They struggle to survive throughout the war, including the North African campaign, the invasion of Sicily, Omaha Beach on D-Day, and onto the invasion of Germany and the discovery of the concentration camps. The film was directed by Samuel Fuller, who was known for his war films such as The Steel Helmet and Merrill's Marauders in addition to having served in the US 1st Infantry Division during the war. Fuller's daughter has stated in past interviews that the movie is in many ways an account of her father's war experiences. An extended version of the film was released on DVD in 2004 as The Big Red One: The Reconstruction.

The following weapons were used in the film The Big Red One:

Rifles

M1903 Springfield Rifle

During the World War I prologue, the Private (Lee Marvin) carries a M1903 Springfield Rifle fitted with a bayonet as he surveys the battlefield just prior to the war being over.

1903 Springfield Rifle - .30-06

The Private (Lee Marvin) uses the bayonet fixed on his 1903 Springfield Rifle to check a dead German soldier.

M1 Garand

The M1 Garand is the chief weapon of the 1st Squad and is the weapon most frequently seen used by American forces in the film.

M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06

In a scene from "The Reconstruction", Griff (Mark Hamill) places a condom on the muzzle of his Garand to keep out the moisture.

Griff fires his M1 Garand after landing on the North Africa beachhead.

Zab (Robert Carradine) fires the Garand after landing on the North Africa beachhead.

In a scene from "The Reconstruction", Vinci (Bobby Di Cicco) fires the Garand.

Johnson (Kelly Ward) with the Garand.

The Sergeant (Lee Marvin) and Griff (Mark Hamill) with their M1 Garand rifles while fighting in Italy.

The Sergeant (Lee Marvin) takes with his M1 Garand while on the beach during D-Day.

Griff (Mark Hamill) has the Garand slung while struggling with a bangalore torpedo during D-Day.

Pvt. "Babyface" Kaiser (Perry Lang) holds the M1 Garand.

The Sergeant (Lee Marvin) holding his M1 Garand while fighting in Belgium.

Griff with the M1 Garand at the concentration camp.

M1 Carbine

An M1 Carbine is seen briefly held by an American soldier on patrol with the Sergeant during the Battle of the Bulge. In a deleted scene, the Sergeant is seen arguing with paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne, who are armed with the M1 Carbine.

World War II Era M1 Carbine, with Dark Walnut Stock, 'L' peep sight and no bayonet lug - correct for most of WWII, shown with khaki sling and oiler and a period twin magazine pouch for buttstock - .30 Carbine

In a scene from the Reconstruction, an M1 Carbine is seen briefly held by an American soldier on patrol with the Sergeant during the Battle of the Bulge.

In a deleted scene, paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne are armed with the M1 Carbine.

Lee-Enfield No 4 Mk 1*

The Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk 1* is the rifle seen carried by British troops who liberate a makeshift hospital in Tunis.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk 1 - .303 British

The Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk 1* is the rifle seen carried by British troops who liberate a makeshift hospital in Tunis.

Mauser Gewehr 1898

A Gew 98 Mauser rifle is seen being smashed by a mad horse that spooks the Private during the WWI prologue. This was supposed to be the Private's Springfield, as he states later that his rifle was smashed by the animal.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Mauser Gew 98 Rifle (as noted by the straight bolt action) laying on the ground. This was supposed to be the Private's Springfield, as he states later that his rifle was smashed by the animal.

1886 Lebel Rifle

As the Big Red One hits the beach in North Africa, Vichy French soldiers are seen armed with the Lebel Model 1886 Rifle as their main weapon.

French Lebel M1886 Rifle - 8 x 50mm Lebel

Vichy French soldier holding a Lebel Model 1886 Rifle in a defensive position.

Vichy French soldiers firing the Lebel Model 1886 Rifle.

Karabiner 98K Rifle

The main rifle used by German forces in the film is the Karabiner 98k Mauser Rifle.

K98K Mauser Rifle - 7.92 x 57mm

German soldier setting down a K98K Mauser Rifle.

German soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge, carrying K98K Mauser Rifles.

Jezail Musket

In a restored scene, Arab soldiers are seen armed with the Jezail musket when assisting the 1st Squad in taking out a German tank.

Jezail musket

In a restored scene, Arab soldiers are seen armed with the Jezail musket when assisting the 1st Squad in taking out a German tank.

Handguns

Colt M1911

During the World War I prologue, the Private (Lee Marvin) carries an M1911 as his sidearm. An M1911 is also used by a Belgian woman who produces the pistol from a pack to threaten a German infiltrator (this was seen in the Reconstruction).

Original Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 ACP

During the World War I prologue, the Private (Lee Marvin) carries the M1911 as his sidearm.

In a scene from the Reconstruction, the Belgian woman produces the pistol from a pack to threaten a German infiltrator.

Mle 1892 Revolver

A Vichy French officer draws his Mle 1892 Revolver when his men refuse to fire on the Americans who have hit the beach.

Mle 1892 Revolver - 8 x 27mm

A Vichy French officer with his Mle 1892 Revolver.

Submachine Guns

M1928A1 Thompson

The M1928A1 Thompson Submachine Gun is seen being carried mainly by Pvt. Switolsky (Doug Werner). While it lacks the Cutts Compensator, the Thompson is an M1928A1 identified by its square receiver shape and not the upside down T shape of the M1A1. Most of Switolsky's role was cut from the theatrical version of the film, but was restored for the Reconstruction.

1928A1 Thompson - .45 ACP

Pvt. Switolsky (Doug Werner) cleans his 1928A1 Thompson right before the Battle of the Kasserine Pass. Note the square receiver shape. Most of Switolsky's role was cut from the theatrical version of the film, but was restored for the Reconstruction.

On the near left, Switolsky carries his Thompson

In a scene from "The Reconstruction", Switolsky is warned about letting the woman get too close to his Thompson.

Switolsky wades through a river carrying this Thompson in a scene from "The Reconstruction". Note that he doesn't appear to carry any extra magazines for his Thompson, but instead his pouches appear to be for M1 Garand ammunition.

Sten Mk III

The Sten is seen carried by British troops who liberate a makeshift hospital in Tunis.

Sten Mk III - 9x19mm

On the left, the Sten is seen carried by a British soldier who participates in the liberation a makeshift hospital in Tunis.

MP40 Submachine Gun

The MP40 is seen carried by German soldiers, namely Sergeant Schroeder (Siegfried Rauch) throughout the film. During the shootout in the asylum, Rensonnet (Serge Marquand) declares "I am sane!" while firing an MP40.

MP40 Sub Machine Gun - 9mm

Sergeant Schroeder (Siegfried Rauch) stands holding the MP40.

The German Sergeant Schroeder (Siegfried Rauch) firing an MP40 Sub Machine Gun.

Closeup of the MP40 fired by Schroeder in a scene from "The Reconstruction".

"I am sane!" Rensonnet (Serge Marquand) firing an MP40 Sub Machine Gun in the asylum.

Haenel-Schmeisser MP28/II

Italian forces are seen with the Haenel-Schmeisser MP28/II when the Big Red One invades Italy.

Haenel-Schmeisser MP28/II - 9mm

The Italian soldier on the left fires a Haenel-Schmeisser MP28/II Sub Machine Gun as the US forces invade Sicily.

Machine Guns

1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun

Vichy French soldiers are seen manning a 1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun before the American invasion.

1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun - 8 x 50mmR

Vichy French soldiers manning a 1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun in defensive position

Vichy French soldier manning a 1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun

MG 34

The MG 34 is used by both German and Italian forces in the film.

MG 34 - 7.92x57mm Mauser.

An Italian soldier firing a MG 34 on the invading American forces.

The MG 34 on the right.

In a scene from "The Reconstruction", a German machine team is seen firing the MG 34 on US Forces.

Browning 1919A4

The Browning 1919A4 Machine Gun is seen firing from the modified M51 Sherman mocked up to resemble a German Tiger. The Sergeant is seen firing the machine gun from the tank in the battle near the Christ on the Cross. The Browning M1919A4 is also briefly seen held by a US soldier during the Battle of the Bulge.

Browning 1919A4 Machine Gun - .30-06

A Browning 1919A4 Machine Gun firing from bow mount on Israeli M51 Sherman

In a scene from "The Reconstruction", a Browning M1919A4 is also briefly seen held by a US soldier during the Battle of the Bulge.

The Browning M1919 is seen on the left.

Browning Automatic Rifle

In a scene from "The Reconstruction"., a Browning Automatic Rifle is very briefly seen in the lap of a relaxing American soldier that is filmed by a documentary cameraman (played by the film's director Samuel Fuller).

Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06

In a scene from "The Reconstruction", a Browning Automatic Rifle is very briefly seen in the lap of a relaxing American soldier that is filmed by a documentary cameraman (played by the film's director Samuel Fuller).

Other

M20B1 "Super Bazooka"

In a scene from "The Reconstruction", an M20B1 "Super Bazooka" is fired by Pvt Kaiser (Perry Lang) in order to take out an enemy artillery bunker. This weapon was anachronistic for WWII.

M20B1 "Super Bazooka" - 3.5"

In a scene from "The Reconstruction", an M20B1 "Super Bazooka" is fired by Pvt Kaiser (Perry Lang) in order to take out an enemy artillery bunker. This weapon was anachronistic for WWII.

M9A1 Bazooka

The M9A1 Bazooka is seen briefly in the hands of US soldiers, notably in scenes set during the Battle of the Bulge.

M9A1 "Bazooka" - 2.36 inch

The M9A1 Bazooka is seen in the center.