Bullet in the Head (Chinese title: Die xue jie tou) is a 1990 Hong Kong historical action drama film directed by John Woo. Set in 1967 with the effects of the Vietnam War in the background, the film tells the story of three friends who flee from Hong Kong to Vietnam, with dramatic and ultimately tragic consequences.
The following weapons were used in the film Bullet in the Head:
A pivotal weapon in the film, the Smith & Wesson Model 15 is used by Paul (Waise Lee), Frank (Jacky Cheung) and Ben (Tony Leung Chiu Wai). Most notably, this weapon is used when three protagonists are held at the Việt Cộng camp, where they are coerced into executing fellow prisoners.
Llama revolver
Y.S. Leong (Lam Chung), a Saigon crime boss, uses a Llama revolver to hold Yan Sau-Ching (Yolinda Yam) hostage after Ben, Frank and Paul attack his club.
Pistols
Colt M1911A1
Colt M1911A1 pistols are among the most common weapons in the film, and are used by the protagonists, Vietnamese gangsters and ARVN soldiers.
Auto Ordnance M1911A1
The Auto Ordnance M1911A1 is also occasionally seen in the film, most noticeably during the final scene.
Browning Hi-Power
Some of Mr. Leong's thugs are armed with Browning Hi-Power pistols. Ben also uses a Hi-Power as one of his weapons when he confronts Paul at the end of the film.
A Beretta M12 submachine gun, concealed under a piano, is used by Paul (Waise Lee) during the shootout in Leong's club.
Sten Mk II
One of Leong's thugs is briefly seen firing a Sten Mk II before being shot by Paul.
M1928 Thompson
Luke (Simon Yam) uses an M1928 Thompson without a butt stock and loaded with a 30-round magazine during the shootout in Leong's club.
IMI Uzi
Paul uses an Uzi submachine gun when he confronts Ben at the end of the film.
Shotguns
Remington 870
Ben uses a pistol-gripped Remington 870 shotgun with a sawed-off barrel during the shootout in crime boss' club.
Rifles
M1 Carbine
An M1 Carbine is used by a shopkeeper in an attempt to defend his store from robbery. Later, another M1 Carbine appears in the hands of a gangster working for a local crime boss.
M16A1
M16A1 rifles are used by South Vietnamese (ARVN) and U.S. Army soldiers, as well as Việt Cộng fighters. Luke (Simon Yam) is armed with an M16A1 when he attacks the Việt Cộng camp with American soldiers, and Frank (Jacky Cheung) attacks his Việt Cộng captors with a captured M16A1.
Colt Model 653
When the main characters attempt to flee pursuing ARVN soldiers, Luke (Simon Yam) and Frank (Jacky Cheung) use Colt Model 653 carbines with two 20-round magazines taped "jungle style" to defend themselves. It is also used by U.S. Army soldiers during an assault scene. Note: In the real life, these variants were only available after 1973 so any depiction during the time frame between 1964-1973 is anachronistic.
Norinco Type 56
Norinco Type 56 assault rifles are used by Việt Cộng soldiers who capture Ben, Frank and Paul. Paul later uses a captured Type 56 to massacre an innocent family when he steals their boat.
Springfield Armory M1A
A Springfield Armory M1A is used by U.S. Special Forces to kill Việt Cộng guards in the watch towers during their assault on an enemy encampment.
Machine Guns
M60
M60 machine guns appear in two instances. First it is seen as a jeep-mounted weapon when ARVN soldiers rob a jewelry store and later in the hands of Việt Cộng soldiers at their encampment. U.S. Army soldiers are also seen using this weapon during an assault scene.
M60D
A helicopter-mounted M60D machine gun is seen when U.S. Special Forces attack the Việt Cộng encampment.
Browning M2HB
Browning M2HB machine guns are seen on ARVN tanks and positions, as well as at the Việt Cộng encampment.
The M79 grenade launcher is carried by ARVN soldiers who use it to fire tear gas grenades at anti-war protesters. American soldiers are also seen using this weapon.
M18A1 Claymore Mine
A Viet Cong terrorist uses an M18A1 Claymore mine to assassinate an ARVN officer. Luke and Frank later lay several Claymore mines to ambush corrupt ARVN soldiers.
M16A1 with M203 Grenade Launcher
Corrupt ARVN soldiers carry M16A1 rifles with M203 grenade launchers when they chase three protagonists along a river. This weapon is anachronistic since the film is set roughly between 1967 and 1968, while the M203 did not enter American service until 1969.
M72 LAW
Corrupt ARVN officers use an M72 LAW to destroy the boat that the protagonists are riding on.
Mk 2 Hand Grenade
A Viet Cong terrorist also uses Mk 2 hand grenades along with a Claymore mine to assassinate an ARVN officer.