Error creating thumbnail: File missing 1968 Tunnel Rats (2009)
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 following guns were used in the movie "1968 Tunnel Rats "
Rifles
Colt AR-15 Sporter Carbine
Sgt. Mike Heaney (Brad Schmidt ) and Cpl. Dan Green (Wilson Bethel ) carry the Colt AR-15 Sporter Carbine rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Sporter II Carbine with 20 round magazine. Colt model #R-6420. Colt still insisted on using the SP1 style lower receiver so any rifle that looks like this but has the ribbing around the magazine release button is not a Colt rifle. Variants of this rifle have both the round and tear drop forward assist buttons, however, most of the early years of production had the tear drop button, like this rifle in the photo - - 5.56x45mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpl. Dan Green (Wilson Bethel ) carries a Colt AR-15 Sporter Carbine as he greets the new arrivals.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sgt. Mike Heaney (Brad Schmidt ) gives the order to saddle up, holding his Sporter Carbine.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sgt. Heaney aims his Sporter Carbine down a tunnel.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A US Soldier fires his Sporter Carbine during the NVA attack.
M16
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.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The original M16, the first version, firing in a 20-round magazine, adopted in large numbers by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. This has the original 3-prong flash hider. It would later be replaced by the upgraded M16A1 - 5.56x45mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette ) with an M16 during the Chopper ride.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A US soldier hauling a body bag carries an M16.
M16A1
Most of the US Soldiers carry the updated M16A1 rifles, including Lt. Vic Hollowborn (Michael Paré ), Pvt. Samuel Graybridge (Brandon Fobbs ), Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette ) Pvt. Jim Lidford (Nate Parker ) and Pvt. Bob Miller (Jeffrey Christopher Todd ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M16A1 with 20 round magazine. What distinguishes it from the original M16 was the addition of a raised rib around the magazine release button, changing of the forward Receiver pins, and the addition of the forward assist button on the upper receiver - 5.56x45mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M16A1 with A2 style handguards. Putting the distinctive A2 handguards on the older rifle was a method used by Movie/TV armorers to simulate A2 rifles when M16A1s were the only ones available. The same thing has been done vice-versa, Using M16A2's with A1 handguards for Vietnam War B Movies - 5.56x45mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Samuel Graybridge (Brandon Fobbs ) carries an M16A1 rifle, complete with A2 style handguards and anachronistic 30-round magazines.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette ) and Pvt. Jim Lidford (Nate Parker ) lugging M16A1 rifles on patrol, both with A2 handguards and 30-round mags.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lidford scans the jungle with his M16A1.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Graybridge on watch with his M16A1.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lt. Vic Hollowborn (Michael Paré ) fires an M16A1 during the NVA attack on the US Camp.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Graybridge fires at pursuing NVA at full automatic.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Bob Miller (Jeffrey Christopher Todd ) with his M16A1.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Miller tries to clear a jam on his M16A1.
M16A2
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. This make wasn't introduced until 1989.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M16A2 Rifle - 5.56x45mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soldier rests an M16A2 rifle on his chest.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The M16A2, identified by its heavy barrel, can be seen in the center of the image.
AK-47
Several NVA soldiers, including Vo Mai (Jane Le ), carry the AK-47 . It appears to be a Type II model.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type II AK-47. (note stock mounting bracket) with prototype slab sided magazine - 7.62x39mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Vo Mai (Jane Le ) carries an AK-47.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing An NVA soldier fires an AK-47.
AKS-47
An NVA soldier carries what appears to be an AKS-47 , a cut-down version of the AK-47 fitted with a folding stock.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing AKS-47 - 7.62x39mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing An NVA soldier fires an AKS-47.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A clear view of the folding stock as the NVA soldier is gunned down.
Norinco Type 84S
Most of the NVA soldiers, including Huy Tran (Scott Ly ) and Nguyen Van Chien (John Wynn ), use the anachronistic Norinco Type 84S rifles, rather then the periodically correct Type 56 rifles. Most likely the film crew were unable to obtain enough AK-47's.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Norinco Type 84S - 5.56x45mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Huy Tran (Scott Ly ) and Nguyen Van Chien (John Wynn ) with Norinco Type 84S rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nguyen aims his Type 84S.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nguyen loads a magazine into his Type 84S.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Huy on patrol with his Type 84S.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nguyen aims his Type 84S.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nguyen fires his Type 84S on semi-automatic mode.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing An NVA soldier trying to clear a jam in his Type 84S.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Huy struggles to load his Type 84S.
Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine
A Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine can be seen in Vo Mai's (Jane Le ) dugout in the tunnels.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine. This is the version issued during most of World War 2, the M44 would not be fielded until the last six months of the war. Note slightly shorter barrel, lack of brass reinforcements in the Sling holes and lack of bayonet notch in the stock - 7.62x54R
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine sits against a wall in Vo Mai's (Jane Le ) dugout.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another shot of the M38 Carbine against the wall.
Machine Guns
M60 Machine Gun
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.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M60 Machine Gun with bipod extended - 7.62x51mm NATO
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Dean Garraty (Adrian Collins ) with the M60 Machine Gun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The M60, now the responsibility of Pvt. Jim Lidford (Nate Parker ), leans against a fallen log.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lidford picks up the M60 when he and Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins ) are ambushed by the NVA.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lidford firing the M60 one-handed in Rambo mode.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soldier defending the camp perimeter opens up with an M60.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Soldier fires his M60 before being gunned down by an NVA solider. With scenes like these, you'd think that US Soldiers were trained to fire LMG's one-handed.
Browning M2HB
A Browning M2HB is seen mounted in the camp perimeter. The gunner is killed before he can use it.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A US Soldier loading a Browning M2HB.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soldier manning the M2HB as his comrade's brains are blown out behind him. Apparently he doesn't notice this, or the raging firefight around him. According to Vietnam War Movie logic, he's probably high. He certainly looks it.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The unmanned M2HB swings from its mount as Nguyen Van Chien (John Wynn ) decides the soldier isn't dead enough, and proceeds to posthumously dismember him. One would hate to think what would happen to the poor bastard if Nguyen got him alive.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nguyen, in overkill mode, fires his Norinco Type 84S next to the M2HB.
Shotguns
Smith & Wesson Model 916A
Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins ) carries a Smith & Wesson Model 916A shotgun as his personal-issue weapon.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Smith & Wesson Model 916A - 12 gauge
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins ) holding his Smith & Wesson Model 916A during the chopper ride to base.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Harris clutches his Model 916A.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Harris kneels with his Model 916A.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Harris fires his Model 916A at charging NVA soldiers.
Sidearms
Colt M1911A1
The Colt M1911A1 is used by the US Soldiers for Tunnel Rat Duty. Sporting it throughout the film are Lt. Vic Hollowborn (Michael Paré ), Sgt. Mike Heaney (Brad Schmidt ), Cpl. Dan Green (Wilson Bethel ), Pvt. Peter Harris (Mitch Eakins ), Pvt. Carl Johnson (Erik Eidem ), Pvt. Terence Verano (Rocky Marquette ), Pvt. Jonathon Porterson (Garikayi Mutambirwa ) and Pvt. Dean Garraty (Adrian Collins ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing World War II issued Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP
Heavy Weapons
M67 Grenade Launcher
Pvt. Jonathon Porterson (Garikayi Mutambirwa ) uses a M67 Grenade Launcher during patrol; he switches to a Colt M1911A1 for the rest of the movie, which he spends in the tunnels.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M79 grenade launcher - 40mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Jonathon Porterson (Garikayi Mutambirwa ) carries his M79 Grenade Launcher on patrol.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Porterson holds his M79 as Lt. Vic Hollowborn (Michael Paré ) opens up 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.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing An NVA soldier picks up a Flamethrower from a dead American.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The NVA soldier opens up with the Flamethrower.
Grenades
M26 Hand Grenade
Lt. Vic Hollowborn (Michael Paré ), Cpl. Dan Green (Wilson Bethel ), 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.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M26 High-Explosive Fragmentation Hand Grenade
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. Jonathon Porterson (Garikayi Mutambirwa ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M7 CS Gas Grenade