Empire of the Sun
Movie Poster
Empire of the Sun is a 1987 World War II film directed by Steven Spielberg and based upon the 1984 novel of the same name by JG Ballard. The film follows Jamie Graham, an eleven year-old China-born British schoolboy who struggles to survive, alone, on the streets of Japanese-occupied Shanghai during the Second World War. Alongside John Malkovich , Miranda Richardson , and Nigel Havers , the film is notable for being the first on-screen role for Christian Bale , who plays Jamie; also of note, Ben Stiller had a small role in the film, and during his work on the project, conceived the film Tropic Thunder .
The following weapons were used in the film Empire of the Sun :
Pistols
Mauser C96
The Mauser C96 pistol is seen used by the Shanghai resistance fighters on the rooftop.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mauser C96 Pistol - 7.63x25mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing On the left, a resistance fighter fires his Mauser C96 at Japanese troops.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A resistance fighter dies, his hand still holding a Mauser C96.
M1911A1
An M1911A1 is seen in the holster of an US Army colonel that confronts Jamie. A resistance fighter also appears to use one to fire at Japanese troops.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1911A1 - .45 ACP
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A resistance fighter fires his M1911A1 at Japanese troops.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing An M1911A1 is seen in the holster of an US Army colonel that confronts Jamie.
Revolvers
Webley Mk IV
A Webley Mk IV is also seen in the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Webley Mk IV WW2 British Army version chambered for .38 S&W
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Webley Mk IV is seen.
Colt New Service
A Colt New Service revolver is seen pulled when a Japanese pilot is seen with Jamie (Christian Bale ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Model 1909 Colt Army Revolver - .45 LC. This model is stamped "Property of U.S. Government" under barrel and "M1909" on front bottom of grip strap. Grips not original - US issue bore plain uncheckered walnut.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Colt New Service is seen.
Rifles
Arisaka Type 38
The Arisaka Type 38 was one of the main battle rifles used by the Japanese Army in the Pacific theater and is seen used throughout the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Arisaka Type 38 rifle - 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka
A production still of Jamie (Christian Bale ) as he runs through a column of Japanese soldiers carrying the Arisaka rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Japanese soldiers with their Arisaka Type 38 rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Japanese soldiers hold their Arisaka Type 38 rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Japanese soldier holds his Arisaka Type 38 rifle.
Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III
A resistance fighter uses a Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III on the rooftop.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III* - .303 British
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The resistance fighter (right) is seen firing the SMLE.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The resistance fighter's SMLE can be seen dropped on the rooftop if you look closely at the lower right. Note the distinctive nosepiece, identifying this as a No.1 Mk.3 rifle.
Lee-Enfield Mk. I
A possible Lee-Enfield Mk. I can be seen fired by a resistance fighter.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lee-Enfield Mk. I - .303 British
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The resistance fighter on the right fires the rifle.
M1 Garand
The M1 Garand is seen carried by US soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1 Garand is carried by US soldiers.
Machine Guns
Vickers MK1
A replica of a Rolls-Royce 40/50 h.p. Armoured Car is armed with a Vickers machine gun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Vickers MK1 with ribbed water jacket - .303 British
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The barrel of the Vickers can be seen.
Type 11
A Type 11 light machine gun can be seen in the Japanese camp.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 11 Light Machine Gun - 6.5x50mm Arisaka
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The light machine gun on the left.
Bren Mk1
Bren guns are used by Japanese soldiers. They could be captured weapons or they stand for Type 96 or Type 99 Light Machine Guns .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Bren Mk1 - .303 British.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Bren on the table in the Japanese camp.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A motorcycle armed with a Bren.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another mg mounted on a truck.
Hotchkiss Mk.I
A Typ 97 Chi-Ha mock up tank is armed with a Hotchkiss Mk.I machine gun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Hotchkiss Mk.I - .303 British
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The light machine gun mounted in the tank.
Colt Monitor
A Colt Monitor / Browning Automatic Rifle is also carried by a US soldier.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Monitor - .30-06
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Colt Monitor on the left.
Browning M3
Browning M3 machine guns are the primary guns mounted in the wings of the P-51 Mustangs in the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Browning M3 Aircraft - .50 BMG
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Browning M3 machine guns are the primary guns mounted in the wings of the P-51 Mustangs in the film.
Unknown Machine Gun
A Japanese Type 92 Armoured Car is armed with an unknown machine gun which could be a Type 91 or Type 92 .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Trivia Section
The Japanese Zero fighters are in fact American-built Harvard trainers modified to look like the Zero.
Eric Flynn, who plays a British POW, was actually a POW as a child in a Japanese camp.
The can Jim 'Jamie' Graham (Christian Bale ) drinks is Jerzee Evaporated Milk.
Col. Marshall (Tom Danaher) was a Marine night fighter pilot in the Pacific in WWII and was credited with shooting down the last Japanese bomber of the war. He also flies one of the Japanese "Zeros" in the movie.