Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mesrine: Killer Instinct (2008) (Original title: L'instinct de mort
Mesrine: Killer Instinct is part 1 of a two-part 2008 French-Canadian Mesrine film series directed by Jean-François Richet and starring Vincent Cassel as the French criminal Jacques Mesrine. Based on Mesrine's autobiographical book "L'instinct de mort", Killer Instinct details Mesrine's rise in the Paris criminal underworld after serving in the army in Algeria, as well as his early exploits in Paris, and later in Quebec, Canada. Part 2 is known as Mesrine: Public Enemy Number 1 .
The following weapons were used in the film Mesrine: Killer Instinct :
Error creating thumbnail: File missing WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Handguns
M1911A1
Mesrine uses an M1911A1 when serving in the French Army to shoot a prisoner in Algeria in the 1950s. Later, he acquires a nickel-plated M1911A1 in France that he uses for most of the movie.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pre-War Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mesrine executes a prisoner in Algeria during the Algerian War of Independence.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Upon Mesrine's return to France, he carries a nickel plated M1911A1.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing His own pistol is turned against him by his new boss, Guido (Gérard Depardieu ) who lifted it from him when they hugged for the first time. This is the pistol that Mesrine uses throughout most of the rest of the movie.
Smith & Wesson Model 28
Members of the Arizona Highway Patrol as wield the Smith & Wesson Model 28 during a high speed chase with Mesrine and his girlfriend in 1969 (when he is caught and returned to Quebec). The real life Mesrine was caught in Arkansas, not Arizona.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman - .357 Magnum
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Smith & Wesson Model 60
During the high speed chase in Arizona in 1969, Jeanne Schneider (Cécile De France ) attempts to use a Smith & Wesson Model 60 when they hit the police roadblock, but Jacques Mesrine tells her to stop and throws the gun to the floor of the car.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Smith & Wesson Model 60 - .38 Special
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Smith & Wesson Model 64
Arizona Highway Patrol officers also use the Smith & Wesson Model 64 .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Smith & Wesson Model 64 - .38 Special
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Smith & Wesson Model 10
A Smith & Wesson Model 10 is also used by an Arizona Highway Patrolman.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Smith & Wesson Model 10 Revolver - .38 Special
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Unknown Revolvers
Error creating thumbnail: File missing During a bar fight, Mesrine pulls out a small revolver which he uses to shoot a thug with twice.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Production still showing Vincent Cassel shooting the unknown revolver.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Jean-Paul target shooting.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Same scene as above.
Unknown Silenced Pistols
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Guido uses a silenced pistol to kill a rival.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Same scene from above, different angle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Later on, both Guido and Paul are killed by an assassin also armed with a silenced pistol.
Submachine Guns
MAT-49
Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel ) uses a MAT-49 during his military service in Algeria.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MAT-49 - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mesrine is about to use this weapon to hit a prisoner during an interrogation during the war in Algeria.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The officer hands Mesrine his pistol to shoot the prisoner. The officer exchanges his pistol for the MAT-49.
Uzi
During the shootout at the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul prison in Quebec, Mesrine throws an Uzi submachine gun into the prison yard in an attempt to enable the prisoners to escape.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Uzi - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing During the final shootout, Mesrine throws weapons into the prison yard to try and enable a breakout. Only one weapon makes it, this Uzi with extra mags attached.
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Error creating thumbnail: File missing The prisoner shoots from the hip
M1A1 Thompson
A gangster uses what appears to be an M1A1 Thompson during a drive-by shooting in Paris.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP
Error creating thumbnail: File missing In Paris, Mesrine is attacked by another gang, who shoot at him from a moving vehicle.
Rifles
Ruger Mini-14
Guards in the watchtowers at the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul prison are armed with the Ruger Mini-14 .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Ruger Mini 14 - 5.56x45mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing During the breakout attempt, most of the injuries and deaths are caused by the riflemen in the watchtowers armed with Mini 14s.
AR-15A2 HBAR
Mesrine and his accomplice Jean-Paul Mercier (Roy Dupuis ) are armed with anachronistic post-ban AR-15A2 HBAR rifles (most likely a Bushmaster XM15E2) when they attack the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul prison. Their rifles have multiple magazines taped together. These rifles are "post-ban" AR-15 rifles (which was a cosmetic change forced on the gun industry in 1994 by the Clinton Administration, and expired in 2004). The heavy barreled rifles have no flash hiders, muzzle threads or bayonet lugs. Even if they would standing in for period-correct AR-15 rifles, the use of these rifles is doubly anachronistic since the sequence takes place in the early 1970s and their design is based on the M16A2 introduced in the mid-1980s.
During the real assault, they carried M1 Carbines .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Match Target Competition with 10 round magazine - 5.56x45mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mesrine firing his rifle- note the lack of bayonet lug or muzzle device.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Jean-Paul with his AR-15 - note that the rifle has a bayonet lug, unlike the post-ban AR-15 that Mesrine is firing, however the barrel is still missing its flash hider and threaded barrel.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing As the battle is quite long, the filmmakers take time to show both sides reloading which adds to the overall realism of the sequence.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Jean-Paul sustains a shoulder wound early in the battle and is unable to use his left arm.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Jean-Paul attempts to fire his AR-15 single handed, but his aim is ineffective as the rifle jumps around uncontrollably.
Shotguns
12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun
Paul (Gilles Lellouche ) steals a 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun from an apartment that he and Mesrine rob in Paris. Mesrine's partner in Quebec, Jean-Paul Mercier (Roy Dupuis ), also carries a double barreled shotgun when he is confronted by two park rangers in the forest.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Stevens Double Barreled Shotgun - 12 gauge
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Paul (Gilles Lellouche ) finds an antique shotgun during their first robbery in Paris.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing After pretending to be police officers, they walk away from the scene of the crime.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing In Canada, Mesrine and his new partner Jean-Paul (played by Roy Dupuis) murder two elderly park rangers. Jean-Paul uses a double barreled shotgun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing After expending his two rounds Jean-Paul uses his side by side shotgun to bludgeon the ranger to death.
Remington 870
The Remington 870 is carried by the Canadian park rangers. At least one M870 is also used by a prison guard.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Remington Model 870 - 12 gauge
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The park rangers move forward with Remington 870s in hand.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The park rangers, unaware of the gang's criminal past, walk up with Remington 870s.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Reloading during the battle.
Manufrance Rapid
Mesrine uses a sawed-off pump-action Manufrance Rapid during the casino robbery.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sawed-Off Manufrance LaSalle shotgun was used by the perpetrator of the 2014 Sydney hostage crisis - 12 gauge
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Error creating thumbnail: File missing The sawed-off Rapid used in the casino robbery in Paris.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mesrine rests the sawed-off shotgun on his shoulder.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mesrine threatens casino patrons.
Smith & Wesson 916A
Jeanette Schneider (Cécile De France ) wields a Smith & Wesson 916A with extended magazine tube during the casino robbery.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Smith & Wesson 916A - 12 gauge
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Jeanette Schneider (Cécile De France ) points the S&W 916A.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Same weapon as above.
J.C. Higgins Model 20
A J.C. Higgins Model 20 is used by an Arizona Highway Patrol officer.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing J.C. Higgins Model 20 - 12 gauge
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Ithaca 37
An Ithaca 37 is also wielded by an Arizona Highway Patrol officer.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Ithaca 37 with extended magazine tube - 12 gauge
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Winchester 1300
Most of the prison guards at Saint-Vincent-de-Paul prison are armed with Winchester 1300 shotguns.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Winchester Model 1300 with extended tube & rubber Butt pad - 12 gauge
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Winchester 1300.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Shooting in the air to get all the prisoners on the deck.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Guards about to be blindsided by the prisoner with the Uzi...
Error creating thumbnail: File missing After escaping prison in Canada Mesrine and Jean-Paul go on a bank robbery spree. He is seen here carrying a pistol grip Winchester 1300.
Other Weapons
Mk 2 hand grenade
Mercier uses a Mk 2 hand grenade to destroy a police cruiser when he and Mesrine decide to abort the attack on the prison.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mk 2 hand grenade.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Jean-Paul uses a grenade to destroy the police cruiser, allowing them to escape.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Jean-Paul with the grenade, minus pin, which was removed using the oft ill-advised method of pulling it out with one's teeth.