La Grande Illusion (The Great Illusion) is a 1937 French anti-war drama directed by Jean Renoir. Two French officers - the noble Captain De Boeldieu and the worker Lieutenant Maréchal - are shot down during the First World War. They fall into captivity, where they meet other French of various origins, including Rosenthal, son of a Jewish banker. Because the Frenchmen are constantly trying to escape, they are placed under the supervision of the aristocrat von Rauffenstein. De Boeldieu befriends him, but Maréchal and Rosenthal continue to escape.
The following weapons were used in the film La Grande Illusion:
A captured Colt M1911 pistol is the personal firearm of Major von Rauffenstein (Erich von Stroheim) which he used during the escape attempt of Captain de Boeldieu (Pierre Fresnay). The reason why he owns this pistol could be that he took it from a British or Russian officer or he purchased it before the war. The USA joined the war in 1917 and the story with him takes place in 1916. He carries the Colt in a Luger holster.
The majority of German Prison guards and soldiers are armed with Gewehr 1888/05 throughout the movie. This is historically accurate, as these rifles were mostly issued to rear troops.
Some German soldiers can nevertheless be seen carrying Mauser Gewehr 1898 rifles. The G98s are also armed with the older SG 98 instead of the SG 98/05.
