Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Gary Oldman) makes a deal with the Mangalores that involves selling them his company's new Zorg ZF-1 pod weapons system. The ZF-1 contains a machine gun, rocket launcher, arrow launcher, net launcher, flamethrower (Zorg's favorite), and the "all-new Ice Cube System" that sprays what is presumably liquid nitrogen. Simon Atherton, the armorer who designed and built the weapons used in The Fifth Element, has said in an interview for a science-fiction magazine that firing versions of the ZF-1 were built around 5.45x39mm AKS-74U carbines. It is also possible to see the AKS-74U magazine on the weapon in some scenes. In scenes where the ZF-1 is not fired, inert models are used instead; the firing ZF-1s can be distinguished by an ejection port on the right side of the upper body shell.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingAKS-74U - 5.45x39mmError creating thumbnail: File missingPromotional image of one of the blank-firing ZF-1s; note the single barrel opening and AK magazine visible below the "ice cube system" barrel.Error creating thumbnail: File missingJean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Gary Oldman) demonstrates the capabilities of the "Zorg ZF-1" to a group of Mangalores. The large yellow rocket is the front of an Estes Bullpup 12D flying model rocket.Error creating thumbnail: File missingFirst, he demonstrates the "replay" feature, firing a single shot and then fully automatic fire in the opposite direction. Note the firing version's ejection port just ahead of the "arrow launcher" bulge on the right side, not present in the previous shot. The inert models also have multiple openings in the front of the barrel while the firing props have only one for the real barrel.Error creating thumbnail: File missingFurther demonstration of the replay feature, showing the special effect of the guided bullets arcing in mid air. Given Zorg's personality, their being guided and still tracers makes perfect sense.Error creating thumbnail: File missing"Arrow launcher, with exploding or poisonous gas heads."Error creating thumbnail: File missingFlamethrower feature.Error creating thumbnail: File missing"Ice-Cube System" feature.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe Mangalores forgot to ask what the red button is for...
Korben's Handgun (Vektor CP1)
The handgun used by Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) and Father Vito Cornelius (Ian Holm) throughout the film appears to be a visually modified Vektor CP1 pistol.
The Vektor CP1 pistol also appears to be the basis for the Mangalore handgun. Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) also is seen using this handgun when "negotiating" with the lead Mangalore, Aknot.
The ZF-140 assault gun the mugger (Mathieu Kassovitz) pointed at Korben Dallas is a dressed up Polish WZ.83 Pallad D Grenade Launcher. Two AK mags were mounted at an angle and the underfolding stock was covered by a rubber motorcycle fork gaiter.
The heavy machine gun used by the Mangalores onboard the Fhloston Paradise space liner is a Browning M2 heavy machine gun. The Browning M2 used in the film has a shortened barrel and was fitted with rockets, flexible metal hoses and a ballistic shield to make the weapon look more futuristic.
The NYPD is seen using a futuristic handgun of some sort as their main weapon. It's also used by the crew of the Fhloston Paradise space liner during the assault by the Mangalores. It is never seen being fired and is likely just a fabricated prop.
A Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer machine pistol is used by Billy Masterson (Luke Perry) in Egypt in 1914. While it looks appropriate for the time period, the Schnellfeuer was produced in the early 1930s and is thus an anachronism. That said however, it is the only real weapon in the film not buried in Hollywood embellishments to pass for a futuristic or alien weapon.
A visually modified Norinco Type 56-1 rifle is seen in the hands of a Fhloston Paradise space liner crew member when Korbin Dallas (Bruce Willis) and Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker) are heading to the ship's control room.
