1968 Tunnel Rats: Difference between revisions - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
1968 Tunnel Rats: Difference between revisions
Most NVA soldiers, including Vo Mai ([[Jane Le]]), Huy Tran ([[Scott Ly]]) and Nguyen Van Chien ([[John Wynn]]) use R5s modified to look like the [[AK-47]].
Most NVA soldiers, including Vo Mai ([[Jane Le]]), Huy Tran ([[Scott Ly]]) and Nguyen Van Chien ([[John Wynn]]) use R5s modified to look like the [[AK-47]].
[[Image:AK-47 type II Part DM-ST-89-01131.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Type II AK-47. (note stock mounting bracket) with prototype slab sided magazine - 7.62x39mm]]
[[Image:TypeIII AK47.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Type III AK-47 with cleaning rod removed and laminated stock - 7.62x39mm]]
[[Image:TRats VoMai AK47.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Vo Mai ([[Jane Le]]) carries a faux AK-47.]]
[[Image:TRats VoMai AK47.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Vo Mai ([[Jane Le]]) carries a faux AK-47.]]
[[Image:TRats NVASoldier AK47.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier fires a faux AK-47.]]
[[Image:TRats NVASoldier AK47.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier fires a faux AK-47.]]
1968 Tunnel Rats is the latest film directed by 'infamous director' Uwe Boll. The film was originally titled Tunnel Rats. The film was screened at film festivals in Canada and Germany and had a limited theatrical run in Los Angeles at the Downtown Independent Theater on December 20th, 2008. The 'official' release date for the film in the U.S. was supposed to be March 13th, 2009, however that release date got pushed back, despite being released elsewhere in the world on DVD. The U.S. DVD was released on Jun 30, 2009.
Like usual, there is a lot to criticize in the film, though the film itself has mixed reviews (some reviewers actually think Boll is getting better(!)) But there was not a lot of thought put into the costuming and gear for the film. Being filmed in South Africa (standing in for Vietnam), American soldiers wear green South African Cotton uniforms (as seen in Red Scorpion in the guise of Russian and Cuban Soldiers), their shoulder patches are bright and not subdued (subdued insignia was common by 1968) and the helmet covers are Woodland BDU, not the Nam leaf pattern which is correct for Vietnam.
The original model M16 are used at the beginning of the film during the chopper disembarkation by Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette) and other soldiers. As with the other rifles in the film, it can be seen on occasion with anachronistic 30-round magazines.
During the scene where a captured NVA soldier is hung, a soldier can be seen with an anachronistic M16A2 rifles, identified by the heavy barrel. M16A2 did not entered service until 1989.
Vektor R5 (Modified to Resemble AK-47)
NVA soldiers use what appear to be at first glance AK-47 rifles. However, based on their 5.56 magazines and angled Valmet-style receiver design, these rifles are actually Vektor R5 rifles modified to resemble Kalashnikovs. Similar weapons have appeared in other movies made in South Africa, such as District 9 or Chris Ryan's Strike Back.
AK-47
Most NVA soldiers, including Vo Mai (Jane Le), Huy Tran (Scott Ly) and Nguyen Van Chien (John Wynn) use R5s modified to look like the AK-47.
AKS-47
A NVA soldier is seen with a R5 that has been made to look like an AKS-47 with a folding stock.
The M60 Machine Gun is used by Pvt. Jim Lidford (Nate Parker) and Pvt. Dean Garraty (Adrian Collins). A soldier uses one during the NVA attack on the base camp. Note that every operator fires it one handed - a difficult feat.
Browning M2HB
A Browning M2HB is seen mounted in the camp perimeter. The gunner is killed before he can use it.
Pvt. Jonathon Porterson (Garikayi Mutambirwa) uses a M79 grenade launcher during patrol; he switches to a Colt M1911A1 for the rest of the movie, which he spends in the tunnels.
Unknown Flamethrower
An NVA soldier picks up an Unknown Flamethrower model form a dead US Soldier, using it against other GI's during the attack on the camp.
M26 Hand Grenade
Lt. Vic Hollowborn (Michael Paré), Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins), Pvt. Carl Johnson (Erik Eidem), Pvt. Jonathon Porterson (Garikayi Mutambirwa) and Pvt. Jim Lidford (Nate Parker) all carry or use the M26 Hand Grenade at various points in the film. An M26 Grenade is also seen as part of an NVA booby trap in the tunnels.
M7 CS Gas Grenade
The M7 CS Gas Grenade is used by the US Tunnel Rats to clear the way for their entry in the tunnel systems. Sporting and using the M7 are Cpl. Dan Green (Wilson Bethel), Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins), Pvt. Carl Johnson (Erik Eidem) and Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette).