Life Is Beautiful (1997)
Life Is Beautiful (Italian: La vita è bella ) is a very touching 1997 film about a writer named Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni ) and his family being sent to a concentration camp during last years of World War II (1944-1945). Part of the film was based on Benigni's own family during the war where his father had survived three years in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in modern day Lower Saxony. However Bergen-Belsen was liberated by the British 11th Armored Division while the camp in the film was liberated by Americans. The film was well received, was a financial success, and won the Best Music, Original Dramatic Score, Best Foreign Language Film, Directing, Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture awards at the 71st Academy Awards. Despite this, the film has also received some criticism for what some call "misplaced humor".
The following weapons were used in the film Life Is Beautiful :
Submachine Guns
MP38
What appear to be MP38 submachine guns are seen with some German soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MP38 - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German soldier with an MP38 as he directs Jews into the train car.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
MP40
The MP40 is used by some of the guards.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MP40 - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German soldier with an MP40.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier aims his MP40.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Rifles
Karabiner 98k
Wehrmacht soldiers carry Karabiner 98k rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Werhmact soldiers march down a street with their Karabiner 98k rifles slung.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing German soldiers in the back of a truck with their Karabiner 98k rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
M1 Garand
US soldiers liberating the camp carry M1 Garands .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1 Garand - .30-06
Error creating thumbnail: File missing US soldiers in the background with M1 Garand rifles.
VZ-24 Czech Mauser
A camp guard uses what appears to be a VZ-24 Czech Mauser .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Czech vz. 24 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A guard keeps Guido away from his wife by blocking him in with his VZ-24 Czech Mauser rifle.
Machine Guns
Browning M2
An American M4 Sherman tank part of the liberation force has a Browning M2 mounted on it.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Browning M2 on vehicle mount - .50 BMG
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A M4 Sherman tank rides up to Joshua with its mounted M2 Browning.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A look at the Browning as a crewman opens up the hatch.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A look at the M2 from Joshua's POV (a bit of a brick joke here as Joshua's father said he would "win" a real tank. Though he didn't win the one the crewmen allowed him to ride in it after the camp's liberation). Note the M5 anti-tank gun up front.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A final look at the .50 Cal as Joshua scans the crowd of saved prisoners for his mother.
Browning M1919A4
The M4 Sherman that arrives at the camp also has coaxial Browning M1919A4s .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Browning M1919A4 - .30-06 Springfield
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A M4 Sherman tank rides up to Joshua with its mounted M2 Browning and its coaxial Browning M1919A4s.
Trivia
Joshua's Toy Tank
Interestingly, Joshua's (Giorgio Cantarini) toy tank is modeled after a Panzer IV.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Joshua's toy Panzer IV.