Capitaine Conan

Movie Poster

Country	France
Directed by	Bertrand Tavernier
Release Date	October 16, 1996
Language	Bulgarian French Romanian
Studio	Canal+ Les Films Alain Sarde Little Bear Studio Images 2 TF1 Films Production
Distributor	Bac Films

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Capitaine Conan	Philippe Torreton
Norbert	Samuel Le Bihan
Lt. De Scève	Bernard Le Coq
Madeleine Erlane	Catherine Rich
Commandant Bouvier	François Berléand
Gen. Pitard de Lauzier	Claude Rich

Capitiane Conan is a 1996 French war drama movie directed by Bertrand Tavernier based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Roger Vercel. In September 1918, for four years the First World War raging in Europe coming to an end. In the Balkans, the Bulgarians allied with the German Empire and the Allies deliver tough battles (Macedonian Front). In the last battle before the surrender of Bulgaria the Sokol massif is stormed by the Allies and Captain Conan and his fifty comrades, mostly ex-prisoners from military prisons, have played a decisive role. This is a special unit in the regular army hierarchy, which operates according to its own ruthless rules. They feel like the real heroes, why Conan former friend Norbert, who is now being investigated for the war crimes court's own troops, no longer understands. Also as in France finally the armistice was signed, the men of Captain Conan continue to fight and not cease to terrorize the surrounding areas of Bucharest with riots, looting, and massacres of civilians. The war has made the men to barbarians. Finally, his generals commanded him to the Russian border to fight against the Bolsheviks.

The following weapons were used in the film Capitaine Conan:

Pistols

Mauser C96

The gunsmith gives Norbert (Samuel Le Bihan) a captured Mauser C96 that is never used in the movie.

Mauser C96 - 7.63x25mm Mauser

The gunsmith with the pistol.

Luger P08

During a robbery, a masked French soldier is seen with a Luger P08.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm Parabellum

The soldier on the left carries his Luger.

Steyr M1912

Another masked soldier is seen with a Steyr M1912.

Repetierpistole Modell 1912 - 9x23mm Steyr

The soldier brandishes the pistol while leaving the restaurant.

Walther P38

Capitaine Conan (Philippe Torreton) threatens one of his men with a highly anachronistic Walther P38.

Walther P38 - 9x19mm Parabellum

Conan presses the Walther to the soldier's cheek.

Revolvers

MAS Mle. 1892

Norbert (Samuel Le Bihan) has a holstered Mle 1892 Revolver which he gives to Capitaine Conan (Philippe Torreton).

Revolver d'ordonnance modèle 1892 - 8x27mmSR

The gunsmith with Norbert's revolver.

Capitaine Conan fires the revolver.

Nagant M1895

Lt. De Scève (Bernard Le Coq) is briefly seen with a Nagant M1895.

Nagant 1895, produced 1920s - 7.62x38N

De Scève takes cover with his revolver in hand. The rounded front sight is a sign of revolvers produced from the 1890s until 1930.

Rifles

Berthier Mle. 1902

French soldiers in the movie use Berthier Mle. 1902 rifles mocked up to resemble Lebel 1886s. Due to this conversion, the bolts do not appear to be functional.

Fusil Berthier Modèle 1902 de Tirailleur Indochinois - 8x50mmR Lebel

French soldiers charge upwards a mountain.

Soldiers suppress a Bulgarian machine gun position.

A French soldier fires the rifle to alert his fellow comrades.

The same soldier firs again at a suspicious movement.

Lebel Mle. 1886

Some genuine Lebel 1886 are seen carried by French soldiers. Many mock-ups without bolts are also seen.

Fusil Lebel Modèle 1886-M93 - 8x50mmR Lebel

A Lebel is held by the soldier at the far right.

A mockup rifle without bolt is carried by one soldier.

Karabiner 98k

What appears to be an anachronistic Karabiner 98k is seen in the French trench after a Bulgarian attack.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The Karabiner on the left next to a dead Bulgarian. Note the length of the barrel and the S84/98 bayonet.

Mauser Gewehr 1898

The Mauser Gewehr 1898 is used by Bulgarian soldiers. It would have been more accurate, that the Bulgarians use the Mannlicher M1895 rifles, but it is not impossible given the German-Bulgarian alliance as Conan said in the film.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

French soldier on the right stabs an enemy with his own gun.

Capitaine Conan (Philippe Torreton) and a Bulgarian in melee.

Mosin Nagant Rifle

Bolsheviks use Mosin Nagant rifles of unknown types.

Mosin Nagant M91/30 - 7.62x54mmR

Two Mosin Nagants are seen on the ground on the right.

Machine Guns

Chauchat Mle. 1915

The support gunner of Capitaine Conan's squad uses a Chauchat light machine gun.

Chauchat fusil-mitrailleur Modèle 1915 CSRG - 8x50mmR Lebel

The gunner fires at surprised Bulgarians with the Chauchat.

The squad is reported by Italian cavalry that Bulgaria has surrendered.

The gunner prepares himself to fight Bolsheviks.

St. Étienne Mle. 1907

French soldiers in the movie are equipped with St. Étienne Mle 1907s. At the last battle, one of the squad members fires it from the hip.

St. Étienne Modèle 1907 - 8x50mmR Lebel

A French machine gun position with the St. Étienne Mle. 1907.

Conan's soldier fires it from the hip to repel a Bolshevik attack.

French soldiers fire the St. Étienne before it runs dry.

Schwarzlose M.07/12

Bulgarian soldiers use post-war Romanian Schwarzlose M.07/12s standing for the correct Austro-Hungarian variant. Conan's squad captures one and uses it against Bulgarian troops.