When Eight Bells Toll

When Eight Bells Toll (1971)

When Eight Bells Toll is a 1971 spy thriller starring Anthony Hopkins, Robert Morley, Nathalie Delon, & Jack Hawkins. The screenplay was written by Alistair MacLean (Guns of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare, Ice Station Zebra), based on his book. Anthony Hopkins stars as Philip Calvert, a naval intelligence agent working undercover to the catch smugglers who have been hijacking ships containing gold bullion.

The following weapons were used in the film When Eight Bells Toll:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

Colt Peacemaker

The Single Action Army Colt Peacemaker was held by a Naval Intelligence spy, Baker (Prentis Hancock) in the opening scene at Philip Calvert (Anthony Hopkins) on board of HMS Nantesville, unbeknownst to the latter that the marksman was already dead. The scene plays accurately as in the novel when the opening chapter (told from Calvert's point of view) gives the Peacemaker a backstory and in-depth description.

Colt Single Action Army with 7.5" barrel known as the "Cavalry" model - .45 Long Colt

Baker (Prentis Hancock) aims his Peacemaker at the cabinet door.

Closer shot of the Peacemaker.

Calvert (Anthony Hopkins) stands before the gunbarrel of the Peacemaker.

Baker is revealed to be dead with the Colt Peacemaker still in his hand.

Inglis Hi-Power

Inglis Hi-Powers are used by the smugglers. Lavorsky (Ferdy Mayne), head of the hijacking operation, and Captain Imrie (Peter Arne), a member of his crew, use one in the shoot out at the end of the film.

Inglis Hi-Power 9mm

Captain Imrie (Peter Arne), armed with a Hi-Power pistol, orders his men to catch the spy on board.

Captain Imrie fires at Calvert with his Hi-power during the climactic shoot out.

Lavorsky (Ferdy Mayne) with Hi-power pistol during the climactic shootout.

Enfield No. 2 Mark 1

Philip Calvert (Anthony Hopkins) uses an Enfield No. 2 revolver throughout the film. At one point, Uncle Arthur (Robert Morley) uses the same pistol, as well.

Calvert fires his Enfield No. 2 at the opposition attacking his yacht.

Uncle Arthur (Robert Morley) is armed with Calvert's Enfield on board of the yacht.

Calvert uses his Enfield No. 2 Mark 1 revolver at the beginning of the shoot out before using the Sterling SMG.

Submachine Guns

Sterling Mk. 4

The smugglers can be seen using Sterling Mk. 4 submachine guns. Calvert (Anthony Hopkins) equips himself with a Sterling during the shoot out with the Hijackers at the end of the film. When Calvert enlists the aid of shark hunter Tim Hutchinson (Leon Collins) and his men to confront the smugglers, they arm themselves with Sterlings as well.

Sterling Submachine Gun - 9mm

Hutchinson (Leon Collins) cleans his Sterling SMG in preparation for the expected battle with the smugglers.

Calvert (Anthony Hopkins) prepares to fire on the hijackers during the final shootout.

One of the hijackers fires his Sterling at Calvert.

Rifles

FN SLR

FN rifles are used by the hijackers. At one point in the film, Calvert (Anthony Hopkins) is seen with an FN he has taken from a hijacker.The rifles have the flash hider of an L1A1, but the handguards and front sights as would be found on an FN FAL.

British Inch Pattern L1A1 SLR (Self Loading Rifle) chambered in 7.62 Nato - Variation of the FN FAL rifle.

FN FAL 50.00 7.62x51mm NATO

Calvert (Anthony Hopkins) uses a FN rifle with bayonet to hold a hijacker at bay.

One of the hijackers fires his FAL during the shoot out.

SIG 510

When the hijackers try to shoot down the helicopter Calvert is aboard, they are armed with STG-57 rifles.

SIG SG 510-1 Battle Rifle

Hijackers armed with STG-57s move into position before firing on the helicopter carrying Calvert.

When the hijackers are actually shown firing the SIGs they appear to be prop guns with simulated muzzle flash, the most obvious clues being the oversized flash suppressors and the fact that the carrying handles are not workable but molded onto the side of the rifle. Based on this, they are possibly the same prop SIG 510s seen in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Grenade

No. 36 grenade

A British No. 36 Mills Bomb is used by Calvert (Anthony Hopkins) near the end.

Mills Bomb High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade.

Calvert (Anthony Hopkins) prepares to use the No. 36 grenade during the shoot out.