Death Hunt is a 1981 action film loosely based on the actual 1932 manhunt for Albert Johnson ("Mad Trapper of Rat River") conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in the Yukon. Unlike the fictionalized character portrayed by Charles Bronson the real Albert Johnson was killed by the Mounties on February 17, 1932. Additionally the movie has a much higher body-count. In the actual event Johnson shot and killed RCMP constable Edgar Millen (portrayed by Lee Marvin and whom never gets a scratch in the movie) and wounded two other constables (both of whom recovered from their wounds). The movie was filmed in March and April of 1980 in Canada and New Mexico.
The following weapons were used in the film Death Hunt:
A Savage 99 is used by Albert Johnson (Charles Bronson). It should be noted that, while there are numerous inaccuracies with the weapons used in this movie compared to the ones used in real life, Albert Johnson's primary rifle in real life was a Savage 99. Therefore, this is a very accurate inclusion to the film. In real life, Johnson's Savage was a 99F, or "featherweight", model in a takedown configuration, chambered in .30-30 Winchester.
Lee Enfield "Sporter" versions are used by Sundog/George Washington Lincoln Brown (Carl Weathers) and Hazel (Ed Lauter). Being a commonwealth territory, these guns are very popular in Canada.
Albert Johnson (Charles Bronson) cuts down a 12 Gauge Single Shot Shotgun after he learns about the posse on its way to arrest him. He uses it during the fight at the cabin. In real life, Johnson's shotgun was a much shorter Iver-Johnson "Champion" in 16 gauge.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingVickers .50 machine gun - Essentially the Mk1 but chambered in .50 BMG. Mounted on Armored Vehicles and used as Navy AA until supplemented by the Besa and Oerlikon 20mm Cannon - 12.7x81mmThe Vickers .50 BMG can be seen mounted on the Royal Canadian Air Force biplane.
