Valkyrie

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Valkyrie is the modern telling of the plot to kill Hitler. The main character is decorated war hero and senior German army officer Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise). The plot to place a bomb underneath the table where Hitler is meeting his generals is a well known historical story. What is not often known is that this was one of 14 attempts on Hitler's life by his own military. Apparently more than a few Germans saw the evil that was their leader.

IMFDB member's note: Though the film has had it's share of controversy and smarmy negative press from the media (much of it based on the media's disdain for the star, Tom Cruise's adherence to the Church of Scientology and his life being married to Katie Holmes), the trailer to the film looks pretty epic and the battle scenes look very impressive.

Scheduled release date: December 28th, 2008

IMFDB member's note: I saw this film tonight at a preview screening. It was surprisingly good. I was VERY impressed with this film. MoviePropMaster2008 09:20, 5 December 2008 (UTC)

The following weapons were used in this film:

Karabiner 98k (Mauser Kar98k)

• Seen in many of the massing army sequences, in Berlin and in North Africa, the Karabiner 98k (aka Kar98k) was the most commonly seen firearm in the film. Most other weapons were secondary or only briefly seen.

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Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm

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Major Otto Ernst Remer (Thomas Kretschmann) assembles the Home Guard Reserve troops in Berlin, most carrying Kar98k rifles but some obviously carrying MP40 submachine guns (as indicated by their magazine pouches) - 7.92mm

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Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg's stint with the D.A.K. (Afrika Korp) in North Africa is shown, most of the troops carry the Kar98k - 7.92mm

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Major Otto Ernst Remer's (Thomas Kretschmann) Home Guard troops rush to take government buildings throughout the capital, all carrying Mauser Kar98k rifles - 7.92mm

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German Firing Squad at the end of the film, all using Mauser Kar98k Rifles - 7.92mm

Walther PPK

• Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg cocks his Walther PPK with one hand, using the end of a table. He must do this since he loses his other hand earlier in his combat experiences in North Africa with Rommel, and must cock his pistol one handed. Most of the officers have PPKs, most notably General Ludwig Beck (Terence Stamp) and Major Otto Ernst Remer (Thomas Kretschmann).

Walther PPK in 7.65x17mm Auto (.32 ACP)

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von Stauffenberg pushes his Walther PPK against the table - 7.65x17mm (.32 ACP)

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Pushing back the slide of the Walther PPK - 7.65x17mm (.32 ACP)

MP40

• Many of the Wehrmacht are seen carrying MP40s

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MP40 submachine gun - 9mm

MG42

• Seen briefly when the Home Guard is mobilized during Operation Valkyrie

MG34

• Seen briefly being used by the military guards, surrounding the forests leading to the Wolf's Lair (Hitler's Prussian Field Bunker).

Walther P38

• Surprising seen very little, mostly in the hands of SS or Polizei officers.