The Manchurian Variant (Manchzhurskiy variant)
Theatrical Release Poster
Main Cast
Character
Actor
Kasym-khan Chadiyarov alias Ishijima
Asanali Ashimov
Yoshiko
Tatyana Tsoi
Maj. Mitsumi
Yedgor Sagdiyev
Prince Fujimuri
Yergali Urazimbetov
Baron Yamamoto
Eduard Pak
Gen. Handa
Oleg Li
Lt. Col. Saito
Aleksandr Mun
The Manchurian Variant (Manchzhurskiy variant ) is a Soviet 1989 adventure movie directed by Guk In Tsoi and Igor Vovnyanko. In August 1945 Soviet agent Kasym-khan Chadiyarov (Asanali Ashimov ) works undercover in Manchuria, impersonating a Japanese businessman Ishijima. His mission is to prepare forthcoming Soviet operations against the Japanese Kwantung Army.
This movie is the third in the tetralogy about the adventures of Chadiyarov, preceding by The End of Ataman (Konets atamana) (1970) and Trans-Siberian Express (Transsibirskiy ekspress) (1977), and followed by Who are You, Mr. Ka? (Kto vi, gospodin Ka?) (2009).
The following weapons were used in the film The Manchurian Variant (Manchzhurskiy variant) :
Pistols
M1911A1
Kenpeitai (military police) Lt. Col. Saito (Aleksandr Mun) carries an M1911A1 pistol (a nonstandard gun for Imperial Japanese Army). An M1911A1 is used by Chadiyarov (Asanali Ashimov ) in several scenes.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing World War II Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP. This was an issued U.S. Army pistol with parkerized finish, thus the official designation of M1911A1
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Saito holds an M1911.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A close view of the pistol in Chadiyarov's hands.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Chadiyarov hands the pistol back to Saito.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing In the climactic scene Chadiyarov captures Japanese Gen. Handa.
Submachine Guns
PPSh-41
Soviet commando group is armed with PPSh-41 SMGs, both with drum and stick magazines.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev
Error creating thumbnail: File missing PPSh-41 Submachine Gun with 35-round box magazine - 7.62x25mm Tokarev
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soviet commando leaves the plane with a PPSh in hands.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another commando runs with a PPSh with stick magazne.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A commando fires his PPSh.
Rifles
Arisaka Type 38
Most Japanese soldiers are armed with Arisaka Type 38 rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Arisaka Type 38 rifle - 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Soldiers with Arisaka rifles at the car.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A wounded Soviet officer with captured Arisaka.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier holds his rifle.
Mosin Nagant M1891/30
While Arisaka rifles are seen on more or less close-ups, rifles, seen in the distance, appear to be Mosin Nagant Rifles .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mosin Nagant M1891/30 - 7.62x54mm R
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A typical Mosin Nagant magazine is seen on the rifle at the right.
Machine Guns
Degtyaryov DP-27
A Degtyaryov DP-27 is mounted on a Soviet postwar BTR-152 APC, standing for Japanese armoured vehicle. Soviet commandos also use DP-27s.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Degtyaryov DP-27 - 7.62x54mm R
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A BTR-152 with DP-27.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Soviet commandos with DP-27 and PPSh-41 .
Other Weapons
Hand Grenade
What appears to be a generic mockup of a hand grenade is used by Chadiyarov (Asanali Ashimov ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Trivia
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A BTR-152 stands for Japanese armoured vehicle.
FN Model 1910
What appear to be FN Model 1910 pistols are seen in hands of Japanese secret police agents in documentary footage (or at least the scene is credited in such way; maybe this is postwar footage of some events in China or Indo-China).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing FN Model 1910 - .380 ACP
Error creating thumbnail: File missing An agent holds his pistol at the left.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing An agent holds his pistol at the right.
Lewis Machine Gun
A Lewis Gun on AA mounting is used by an Allied soldier in documentary footage of Pacific War.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lewis Gun - .303 British
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Type 92 Machine Gun
A Type 92 machine gun is seen mounted on Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 92 with 97-round magazine - 7.7?58mm Arisaka. The Type 92 is a Japanese made clone of the Lewis Gun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The rear gunner mans a Type 92 machine gun.
Oerlikon 20mm Cannon
Oerlikon AA autocannons are seen in documentary footage of Pacific War.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Oerlikon Cannon - 20mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Oerlicons on a US Navy ship.