Error creating thumbnail: File missing Join our Discord!
If you have been locked out of your account you can request a password reset here.

Eye of the Needle

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Eye of the Needle (1981) (Note that Kate is holding what appears to be a Colt Detective Special on the poster in place of a Webley Mk VI.)

Eye of the Needle is the 1981 feature film adaptation of Ken Follett's 1978 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Richard Marquand (Jagged Edge) and stars Donald Sutherland and Kate Nelligan. To date, is it the only feature film adaptation of a Ken Follett novel, as all other adaptations of his work have been in the form of television miniseries. The success of the film brought director Richard Marquand to the attention of George Lucas, who hired Marquand to direct the third installment of the Star Wars trilogy, Return of the Jedi.


The following weapons were used in the film Eye of the Needle:


Handguns

Webley Mk VI

David Rose (Christopher Cazenove) owns a Webley Mk VI, which he is seen cleaning. His wife Lucy (Kate Nelligan) later uses it.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Webley Mk. VI - .455 Webley
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
David cleaning his Webley Mk VI.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
From the size of the chambers, this is clearly chambered in .455.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Lucy loads the Webley.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Lucy tries to aim the Webley.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Lucy fires.

Webley Mk IV

Inspector Godliman (Ian Bannen) appears to carry a Webley Mk IV as his service weapon.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Webley Mk IV - .38 S&W
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
A brief view of Inspector Godliman's Webley.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Godliman with his Webley.

Enfield No.2

The Home Guard Captain (John Paul) is armed with a Enfield No.2.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Enfield No.2 Mk.1* - .38 S&W
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
The Captain tries to draw his Enfield. Note the bobbed hammer.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
The Captain, now played by a stuntman, falls backward with his Enfield in hand.

Submachine Guns

Sten Mk III

One of Godliman's men is briefly seen with what appears to be a Sten Mk III.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Sten Mk III - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
The Sten circled. Note the helicopter, which is supposed to be a Sikorsky R-5, but is more likely the Westland Dragonfly, a licensed British copy. Either way, its presence is an anachronism, as the first prototypes weren't delivered to the US Army Air Force until months after this film was set.

Shotguns

Double Barreled Shotgun

David also has a Double Barreled Shotgun, which Henry Faber, aka, "the Needle" (Donald Sutherland) later gets ahold of David's shotgun. Lucy and the Needle also get ahold of Tom's (Alex McCrindle) shotgun later in the film.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Charles Parker 1878 Side by Side Shotgun - 12 Gauge
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
David with his shotgun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
The Needle with David's shotgun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Lucy opens up Tom's shotgun.

Rifles

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III*

British troops are armed with Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III*. The Home Guard Corporal (Stephen Phillips) is also armed with one.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* - .303 British
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
British troops with Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.IIIs in 1940. This is correct, as the No. 4 wasn't adopted until the next year.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
The Home Guard Corporal with his SMLE. Although this scene takes place in 1944, the Home Guard ("Dad's Army") often received surplus equipment.

Gewehr 98

A German guard is seem armed with a Gewehr 98 rifle.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Note the overall length and the distinctive Lange-Visier rear sight.

Other

Bofors 40mm

Several Bofors 40mm guns are seen in the opening scene at the railroad station.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Bofors 40mm L/60 AA gun in a wheeled trailer mounting - 40×311mmR
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Error creating thumbnail: File missing

L5A1

An Alvis Saladin armored car is also seen in the opening scene at the railroad station fitted with a 76mm L5A1 main gun. As the scene is set in 1940 and the Alvis Saladin wasn't produced until 1958, this is an anachronism.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing