Branch (Expozitura)
DVD Cover
Main Cast
Character
Actor
Branch aka (Expozitura ) is a 2009 Czech TV crime series based on true events. The various episodes were filmed at the real locations of the crimes of the infamous Berdych gang, which was operational between 1996 and 2004. The real life Berdych gang specialized in robberies, assaults, extortion and murder, usually with impunity, due to their connections with corrupt local police. Many times the gang itself impersonated police and SWAT units in order to perpetrate their crimes.
In some episodes, the show dealt with specific cases, but the overall arc of the show focused on incorruptible police detective Tereza Hodačová (Hana Vagnerová ), who is newly assigned to the “Unit for Combating Organized Crime (OBOZ) and her partner Captain Dan Chládek (Robert Jasków ). These two characters apparently represent the real life police majors, Helen Kahn and Thomas Gregor. The two protagonists find opposition not only from their underworld opponents like Mob boss Arnold Mráz (David Prachar ) or gangster Drobeček (Martin Sitta ), but also their own own corrupt police colleagues Vladimír Orava (Pavel Zednícek ) and Ota Kovčín (Jan Dolanský ).
The protagonists efforts create a lot of unease not only amongst the Gang and other underworld characters, but amongst the corrupt leaders within their own government and law enforcement units. The real life police heroes took down the Berdych gang in 2004 and their trial in 2006 netted the group varied sentences from 8 to 17 years in prison.
The following weapons can be seen in the TV series Branch :
Handguns
Glock 17
Glock 17 is the service weapon of Czech Police in the series.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing 3rd Generation Glock 17 - 9x19mm. Note the finger grooves, thumb reliefs, and accessory rail on the frame, which differentiate it from the older model.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A police officer holding his Glock 17 pistol in episode 3.
File:Jitka Jezková-Glock17.jpg Dita (Jitka Jezková ) shoots her ex-husband Podzimek (Daniel Rous ) (right) in Episode 5.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Drobeček (Martin Sitta ) uses Tereza´s service gun in Episode 6.
File:Hana Vagnerová-Expozitura.jpg Tereza Hodačová (Hana Vagnerová ) fires her Glock 17 at hitman in Episode 8.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Dan Chládek (Robert Jasków ) aims his Glock 17 Episode 12.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Erik (Jakub Gottwald ) tries to shot mob boss Hemský (Michal Dlouhý )in Episode 13.
File:Pavel Zednícek-Glock17.jpg Vladimír Orava (Pavel Zednícek ) holds his Glock in Episode 14.
Beretta 92FS
Some cops, include Ota Kovčín (Jan Dolanský ), are equipped for service with Beretta 92FS pistols.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm
File:Jan Dolanský-Beretta92.jpg Ota Kovčín fires his Beretta 92FS in Episode 14.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Captain Dan holds a gangster at gunpoint in Episode 16.
"Pre-B" CZ 75
Error creating thumbnail: File missing CZ 75 "Pre-B" Model - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing "Indian" (Milan Horvát) points a "Pre-B" CZ 75 at Kpt.. Chládek in the episode 6.
File:Michal Slaný-CZ75preB.jpg Luboš (Michal Slaný ), an attorney and Tereza's ex-boyfriend, carries a "Pre-B" CZ-75 in Episode 15.
CZ 75 Compact
A CZ 75 Compact is used by a lawyer (Alice Snyrichová ) in the third episode.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing CZ 75 Compact - 9x19mm
File:Alice Snyrichová-CZ75BD.jpg
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CZ 83
Error creating thumbnail: File missing CZ 83 .32 ACP
File:Jirí Korn-CZ-83.jpg The killer (Jirí Korn ) in the 5th episode uses the CZ 83 pistol.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The laboratory technician examines a CZ 83 that was used by a cigar smuggler in the 12th episode. One of Kpt. Kovčín's fingerprints was found on the gun.
CZ 100
Error creating thumbnail: File missing CZ 100 pistol - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pavel Tapák (Radek Zák ), a hitman uses a CZ 100 in Episode 8.
File:Radek Zák-Expozitura.jpg He takes Chládek´s wife Zuzana (Sabina Králová) hostage during his escape.
SIG-Sauer P226
A Russian hitman is seen with a SIG-Sauer P226 pistol in Episode 11.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A factory black (K-Kote) SIG-Sauer P226 pistol chambered in 9x19mm.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Russian hitman fires a SIG-Sauer P226 pistol.
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Taurus Model 689
Boss Arnold Mráz (David Prachar ) is forced to "commit suicide" with his Taurus Model 689 revolver.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Taurus Model 689 Stainless Steel 357 Magnum Revolver.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Police officer took a gun from hand of dead Boss.
Beretta 92F Non Gun
The hitman (Jirí Korn ) uses a Beretta 92F Non Gun in the 5th episode.
Beretta 92F Non Gun
File:Jirí Korn-Beretta92.jpg
Bruni Olympic 5
Filmmakers used for the purpose of safe shooting a Bruni Olympic 5 revolver.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Bruni Olympic 5 - .380 blanks
Error creating thumbnail: File missing In the 6th episode Plk. Viktor Skutek (Jan Kanyza ) committed suicide by shot from a revolver.
File:Jan Dolanský-revolver.jpg Ota Kovčín (Jan Dolanský) fires on Kpt. Chládek with his back-up revolver in the 16th and final episode.
Bullet In The Pen
A prisoner in 11th episode has shoot at Dan Chládek by the pen with a built-in mechanism with a single bullet.
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Submachine Guns
H&K MP5 SD6 Spring Airsoft Gun
Members of URNA (Czech SWAT) carry the H&K MP5 SD6 Spring airsoft guns.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Heckler & Koch MP5 SD6 Spring Airsoft Gun.
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Rifles
SVD Dragunov
A police sniper with SVD Dragunov shoots the lawyer in the 3rd episode.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing SVD Dragunov sniper rifle - 7.62x54mm R
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SIG Sauer SSG-3000
In 5th episode policeman uses a SIG-Sauer SSG 3000 sniper rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing SIG Sauer SSG-3000 se Harris bipod 7.62x51mm NATO
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Mauser 98 custom sniper rifle
The hitman in 5th episode (Jirí Korn ) used a silenced take-down sniper rifle built on a Mauser M98 -pattern action.
File:Jirí Korn-sniper-E.jpg
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The distinctive bolt shroud and safety of the Mauser 98 can be seen at the rear of the receiver.
Benelli M3
The gangster disguised as policeman in 14th episode uses a Benelli M3 during the robbery.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Benelli M3T Super 90 with top folding stock - 12 Gauge
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Other
FIM-92A Stinger
The assassins tried to remove the boss Mráz by using the FIM-92A Stinger missiles in 9th episode.
File:-0976t.jpg FIM-92A Stinger - 70 mm
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