The Big Red One is a 1980 war film chronicling the events surrounding a rifle squad of the US 1st Infantry Division fighting in Europe during World War II. The squad consists of the "Four Horsemen": Griff (Mark Hamill), Zab (Robert Carradine), Vinci (Bobby Di Cicco), and Johnson (Kelly Ward), who are led by The Sergeant (Lee Marvin). They fight and stay alive together from North Africa to Germany and the discovery of the concentration camps. This gripping World War II drama was directed by Samuel Fuller, who was a US 1st Infantry Division veteran during the war. 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 movie The Big Red One:
During the World War I prologue, the Private (Lee Marvin) carries a M1911 as his sidearm, It is also used by a Belgian woman who produces the pistol from a pack to threaten a German infiltrator (thi was seen in the Extended Cut).
1903 Springfield Rifle
During the World War I prologue, the Private (Lee Marvin) carries a 1903 Springfield Rifle fitted with a bayonet as he surveys the battlefield just prior to the war being over.
Gew 98 Mauser Rifle
A Gew 98 Mauser rifle is seen being smashed by a mad horse that spooks the Private during the WWI prologue.
1886 Lebel Rifle
As the Big Red One hits the beach in North Africa, Vichy French soldiers are seen carrying the Lebel Model 1886 Rifle as their main weapon.
M1 Garand
The M1 Garand is the chief weapon of the 1st Squad.
A Vichy French officer draws his Mle 1892 Revolver when his men refuse to fire on the Americans who have hit the beach.
1928A1 Thompson
The 1928A1 Thompson Sub Machine 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.
MP40 Submachine Gun
The MP40 is seen chiefly carried by the German Sergeant Schroeder (Siegfried Rauch) throughout the film.
The main rifle used by German forces in the film is the K98K Mauser Rifle.
MG34 Machine Gun
The MG34 is used by both German and Italian forces in the film.
Browning 1919A4
The Browning 1919A4 Machine Gun is seen firing from the modified M51 Sherman meant to stand in for a German Tiger. The Sergeant is seen firing the machine gun from the tank in the battle near the Christ on the Cross.