Verdun: Visions of History Verdun, visions d'histoire
Movie Poster
Country
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Directed by
Léon Poirier
Release Date
November 8, 1928
Language
Silent
Studio
Compagnie Universelle Cinématographique (CUC)
Distributor
Compagnie Universelle Cinématographique (CUC)
Main Cast
Character
Actor
French soldier
Albert Préjean
German soldier Fritz
Hans Brausewetter
German Captain
Thomy Bourdelle
The intellectual
Antonin Artaud
The chaplain
André Nox
Verdun: Visions of History is a 1928 French silent film directed by Léon Poirier that recounts the Battle of Verdun, which took place in 1916 during the First World War. It is as much a documentary as a work of fiction. Apart from a few brief scenes, most of the film shows the fighting from both the French and the enemy's point of view. Archival footage is also used, such as that showing Wilhelm II, where fiction is skillfully blended with reality. The film was shot at the very scene of the carnage. Ten years after the end of the conflict, Poirier used the battlefields and ruins of the forts at Vaux and Douaumont. The French and German extras are veterans of the war, along with a few professional actors. Recruits completed the extras.
A sound version, Verdun, souvenirs d'histoire , was produced in 1931.
The following weapons were used in the film Verdun: Visions of History :
Pistols
Luger P08
A Luger P08 is briefly seen in the hand of a German soldier.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Luger P08 - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The crawling soldier holds the Luger.
Rifles
Berthier Mle. 1907/15 M16
Various French soldiers are armed with Berthier Mle 1907-16 rifles. The use of this rifle at the beginning of the battle is anachronistic.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Berthier Fusil Modèle 1907/15 M16 - 8x50mmR Lebel
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A French soldier on the right carries his Berthier with fixed Rosalie bayonet.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another soldier fires his rifle at incoming Germans.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The left side of the receiver is seen.
Lebel Mle. 1886
The majority of French soldiers use Lebel 1886 M93 rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lebel Fusil modèle 1886 - 8x50mmR Lebel
Error creating thumbnail: File missing French soldiers block the entrance to Fort de Vaux.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A slung Lebel.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing French soldiers rest next to their Lebels inside Fort de Vaux.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A closer view of more resting soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing French soldiers advance in No Man's Land.
Mauser Gewehr 1898
German soldiers use Mauser Gewehr 1898 rifles. Stoßtrupps (Shock Troops) also use this rifle instead of Mauser 98AZ Carbines .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The German Captain (Thomy Bourdelle) and Fritz (Hans Brausewetter) with Gewehr 98s are pinned down by French machine gun fire.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A closer view of the Captain's rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing German soldiers salute the defenders of Fort de Vaux with their Gewehr 98s.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Lange Visier rear sight is seen on the left.
Mauser Karabiner 1871
An unused Mauser Karabiner 1871 is seen inside an observation bunker.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mauser Karabiner 1871 - 11.15x60mmR
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A promotional picture of actor Hans Brausewetter.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Karabiner is visible behind him.
Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. III*
British soldiers can be seen with Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifles during preparations for the Battle of the Somme. These scenes are documentary footage.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark III* - .303 British
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Machine Guns
Hotchkiss Mle. 1914
French soldiers use Hotchkiss M1914 Machine Guns in the battle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Hotchkiss Modèle 1914 - 8x50mmR Lebel
Error creating thumbnail: File missing French operate the Hotchkiss from a fortified postion.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Hotchkiss lies on its side after a grenade explosion.
Maxim MG 08
The Maxim MG08 is used by German soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Maxim MG 08 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German soldier on the left attacks on Fort de Vaux while carrying the Maxim on his shoulder.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing German soldiers deploy the Maxim.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The MG 08 fired by German soldiers.
Vickers Aircraft Machine Gun
Two Vickers Aircraft Machine Guns are mounted on a French plane.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Vickers Aircraft Machine Gun
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Hand Grenades
Model 1914 Ball Grenade
Some French soldiers use Model 1914 Ball Grenades during the battle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Model 1914 ball grenade without fuse.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier taking German prisoners while holding the Ball grenade.
Model 24 Stielhandgranate
German soldiers use anachronistic Model 24 Stielhandgranates instead of correct Model 15 or Model 16 Stielhandgranates .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Model 24 Stielhandgranate
Error creating thumbnail: File missing German soldiers with their grenades.
Model 16 Stielhandgranate
What appears to be a correct Model 16 Stielhandgranate can be seen in a German trench.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Model 16 Stielhandgranate
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Stielhandgranate is seen on the right above the soldier's helmet. It has a thicker warhead and a star-shaped cap.
Other
Chobert Mle. 1917
A German soldier is seen firing a Chobert Mle. 1917 flare pistol standing in for the Hebel M1894 .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The soldier fires.
Canon de 75 mm Mle. 1897
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Canon 75 mm modèle 1897 - 75x350mmR
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Canon de 155 C, Mle. 1917 Schneider
Canon 155 mm Mle. 1917
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7.58 cm Minenwerfer
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Leichter Minenwerfer neuer Art - 75.8mm (2.99 in)
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10.5 cm leFH 16
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Leichte Feldhaubitze 16 - 105x155mmR
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