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Farewell To The King

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
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Farewell to the King is a 1989 World War II drama starring Nick Nolte and directed by John Milius (Red Dawn). Taking place in the PTO (Pacific Theater of Operations) during the war, the film contains an eclectic mix of British, American and Japanese small arms. The Allied weaponry comes about from the "operation" being a combined effort of the SOE (Special Operations Executive) (British) and the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) (U.S.). It is interesting to note that although the main protagonist of the film, Captain Fairbourne (Nigel Havers), is a member of the SOE, he carries a U.S. M1A1 carbine as his main weapon and a Webley Mk VI as his sidearm.


The following weapons were used in the film Farewell to the King:

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Farewell to the King (1989)



Allied Weapons

Colt M1911A1

The Colt M1911A1, the standard U.S. sidearm from WW I to the 1980's, is seen in the hands of Learoyd (Nick Nolte) at the beginning of the film where he witnesses the execution of his captured comrades, briefly contemplates suicide and during the headhunters' campaign against the Japanese when he gives the order to "advance the colors" while firing a pair of them akimbo. Fairbourne (Nigel Havers) also uses one when the headhunters are fired upon when listening to a radio address by President Truman, shooting a Japanese soldier who bayonets and wounds him.

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Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP
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Learoyd (Nick Nolte) draws his Colt M1911A1 when he contemplates shooting Colonel Mitamura (Aki Aleong) during the massacre of the captured American soldiers.
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Learoyd clutches an M1911A1 as he runs through the jungle.
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Nearly driven insane from the horrors of the jungle, Learoyd presses the M1911A1 into his head as he contemplates suicide.
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Learoyd fires an akimbo pair of M1911A1's as the headhunters "advance the colors" on the Japanese position.
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Fairbourne (Nigel Havers) clutches an M1911A1 as he runs after Japanese troops.
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Wounded and lost in the jungle, Fairbourne keeps his M1911A1 in his hands despite slipping in the mud.

Webley Mk VI

The Webley Mk VI is carried by Fairbourne (Nigel Havers) throughout the movie and seen being ritually washed in the pool after the massacre of the Japanese troops. It appears to be the Webley Mk VI due to the size of the revolver in the man's hands. The MK IV is rather small framed and the Mk VI is much larger. Sgt. Conklin (Marius Weyers) uses one during the ambush of the Japanese soldiers during the thunderstorm.

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Webley MK VI - .455 Webley
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Sgt. Conklin (Marius Weyers) fires his Webley Mk VI at charging Japanese soldiers.
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Fairbourne (Nigel Havers) stares at his Webley.
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Fairbourne pulls out his Webley.
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Fairbourne clicks open his Webley and checks the barrel to ensure it is unloaded before washing it into the pool.

Sten Gun

The Sten Gun, the ubiquitous British SMG of the war seen being used by both the SOE/OSS men such as Sgt. Conklin (Marius Weyers) and Bren Armstrong (Wayne Pygram) and by Learoyd's headhunters, including Gwai (Gerry Lopez). It appears that it is mostly the Mk III being fielded here rather than the more common Mk II model. Also wielded by the Australian troops at the end of the movie.

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Sten Mk III Submachine gun - 9x19mm
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Sgt. Conklin (Marius Weyers) and Bren Armstrong (Wayne Pygram) show the headhunters how to use the Sten Gun. During the demonstration, Armstrong fires the Sten, startling Conklin.
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A Headhunter fires the Sten, letting the recoil getting away from him.
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Gwai (Gerry Lopez) holds a Sten when the Headhunters greet Fairbourne (Nigel Havers) when he returns.
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Sgt. Conklin with his Sten before the massacre of the Japanese soldiers.

M1928A1 Thompson

The M1928A1 Thompson also makes its presence known in the movie. It is odd that this is the M1928A1 version considering that the M1A1 Thompson would have been more common given the move's time frame (1944-45). Used by Learoyd (Nick Nolte), his headhunters, including Gwai (Gerry Lopez) and the SOE agents, prominently by Sgt. Tenga (Frank McRae).

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M1928A1 Thompson - .45 ACP
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Sgt. Tenga (Frank McRae) holds an M1928A1 Thompson as he reaches out to help Fairbourne (Nigel Havers) shortly after the landing.
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Gwai (Gerry Lopez) inspects an M1928A1 captured from Fairbourne and Sgt. Tenka when they are kidnapped by the Headhunters.
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Learoyd (Nick Nolte) holds an M1928A1.
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Learoyd fires an M1928A1 across a river.
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Learoyd with his M1928A1 as they await to ambush the Japanese column.
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Gwai holds an M1928A1 Thompson as they meet up with Australians from the 9th Division.

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III*

The iconic British Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifle which, in one form or another, saw service with various armies and militia for well over a century (and beyond) is the standard rifle carried by the headhunters in the film. Given the weapon's appearance it seems to be the older Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rather than the more "modern" No.4 Mk, the only exception being when Sgt. Tenga (Frank McRae) uses one with a scope to kill several Japanese machine gunners. I (the difference being in the sights as well as a short length of exposed barrel). The weapon is also in the hands of the Ghurkas at MacArthur's headquarters and the Australian troops at the end of the movie.

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Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* - .303 British. This was the main battle rifle of British and Commonwealth forces during the First World War, introduced in 1907 it has seen action throughout the 20th century
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A Headhunter holds a Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk.III* rifle during an argument over a newborn infant.
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Gurkha sentries outside General MacArthur's headquarters with shouldered Lee-Enfield rifles.
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Two of the Headhunters greeting Fairbourne (Nigel Havers) upon his return to the island carry the Lee-Enfield rifles.
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Five Headhunters fire the Lee-Enfield rifles across the river. The soldier on his left is discharging a spent bullet, which can be seen above his action.
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A Headhunter aims his Lee-Enfield at Japanese troops.
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An Australian soldier carrying a Lee-Enfield.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I

Sgt. Tenga (Frank McRae) uses a scoped version of the Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I to snipe and kill several Japanese machine gunners in the caves.

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Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I(T) with magazine and scope - .303 British
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Sgt. Tenga (Frank McRae) takes aim with the Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I rifle.

Lee-Enfield No.5 "Jungle Carbine"

Seen once in the hands of Yoo (Marilyn Tokuda), Learoyd's (Nick Nolte) wife during her confrontation with the Japanese at the "Long House" is a Lee-Enfield No.5 "Jungle Carbine" which is never fired and which the actress should have been grateful for since this version had a notorious recoil.

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Lee-Enfield No.5 Jungle Carbine - .303. This is not a chopped down No. 4 conversion (like many jungle carbines are) but an original No.5
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Yoo (Marilyn Tokuda) takes hold of a Lee-Enfield No.5 "Jungle Carbine" as the Japanese enter the village.
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Yoo aims the "Jungle Carbine".

M1 Carbine

Both versions of this lightweight M1 Carbine appear in the movie especially in the hands of Fairbourne (Havers) who carries the folding stock M1A1 and by Gwai (Gerry Lopez) who possesses the "full dress" M1.

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World War Two Era M1 Carbine, with Dark Walnut Stock, 'L' peep sight and no bayonet lug - correct for most of WW2, shown with khaki sling and oiler and a period Magazine pouch for buttstock
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Winchester Model 1897

This popular Winchester Model 1897 "trench gun" makes it solo appearance in the movie when it is used by Learoyd (Nick Nolte) during the massacre of the Japanese troops in the pool by Falcon's Beak. Easily identified by its ventilated barrel shroud, exposed hammer and almost sword like bayonet.

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Browning Automatic Rifle

One of the earliest Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW), the Browning Automatic Rifle, is also issued to the headhunters during their war against the Japanese. Likely the M1918A2 version of the venerable weapon given the bipod which is mounted directly to the fore of the front sight.

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Bren gun

The Bren gun, the other SAW of choice for Allied troops during the war, sees its way into the headhunters' arsenal. Given the bare metal flash suppressor attached to the barrel it appears that this is the Mk. 1 version of one of the most successful British small arms designs of all times.

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Browning M1917

The immediate predecessor of the Browning M1919, the .30 Browning M1917 seems to be the GPMG of choice for the headhunters. Identifiable by both the water cooling jacket and the somewhat bulky M1917 tripod.

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M2 60mm Mortar

The M2 60mm Mortar is seen during the weapons' training of the headhunters and during combat with the Japanese.

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Mk 2 hand grenade

Mk 2 hand grenades are used throughout the movie but especially dramatically by Learoyd (Nick Nolte) during his rescue of the delirious Fairbourne (Havers).

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Japanese Weapons

The Japanese forces led by Colonel Mitamura (Aki Aleong) carry the standard Japanese weaponry of WW II including:


Arisaka Rifle

The Arisaka Rifle, the standard Japanese bolt action rifle is shown being carried by Mitamura's men in the movie. As with the Type 96/99 Machinegun (see below) it is hard to determine which weapon was used during the film (the Type 38 or Type 99) since both had external similarities but were of different calibres (6.5mm or 7.7mm).

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Arisaka Rifle‎
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Soldier with Arisaka rifle
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Arisaka Type 99 battle rifle - 7.7x58mm

Nambu Type 99 Light Machine Gun

The "Bren-like" Nambu Type 99 Light Machine Gun is carried by the Japanese troops during the movie. Though one (Type 96) fired a 6.5mm bullet and the other (Type 99) fired a 7.7mm round it is almost impossible too identify which weapon is used since (externally) both weapons were nearly identical and were often issued side by side.

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Nambu Type 99 light machine gun 7.7x58mm Arisaka
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Nambu Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun

An evolution of the French Hotchkiss design, the Nambu Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun makes an appearance in the movie, especially during the battle with Mitamura's forces in the cave leading to the "Path of the Clouds".

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Nambu Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun - 7.7x58mm.
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