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Deserter (2002)
Deserter is a 2002 adventure movie set in Algeria in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It tells the story of Simon Murray (Paul Fox) who is confronted with insurmountable class differences when he meets the love of his life in 1950s England. Disillusioned, he decides to join the Foreign Legion and is send to a remote outpost in Algeria where he is subject to brutal training.
Here, he develops a deep friendship with Belgian fellow Legionnaire Pascal Dupont (Tom Hardy). As the training nears the final stages, both Legionnaires become entangled in the brutal civil war, with FLN rebels seeking independence from France and "Pied-Noirs" ("Black Feet"), French settlers who wish for Algeria to stay a part of France, and the Legion caught in between.
The following weapons were used in the film Deserter (2002):
Handguns
SIG P210
Most Legionnaires can be seen carrying the SIG P210, most notably during the climatic shootout at the Algiers mosque when both Pascal and Simon use it to deadly effect.
Rifles
MAS-36
The bolt-action MAS-36 is the common rifle for the Legionnaires in their clashes with the FLN rebels. The more modern semi-automatic MAS-49 would have been a more logical choice, which probably explains the strange fact that on no occasion is a Legionnaire seen cocking his MAS-36!
Mauser Karabiner 98k
When a secured FLN rebel outpost is searched for weapons, one of the confiscated guns appears to be a Karabiner 98k.
Submachine Guns
MAT-49
For no apparent reason, the weapon of choice for the Legionnaires keeps switching from the MAS-36 rifle to the MAT-49 submachine gun throughout the movie. This submachine gun is mostly used to impress local residents suspected of cooperating with FLN rebels and during ambushes in the mountainous terrain of Algeria.
Hotchkiss "Type Universal"
During confrontations between Legionnaires and French special forces to take control the Algiers airport, one of the members of the French special forces is seen with a Hotchkiss "Type Universal".
Machine Guns
Chatellerault M1924/29
In one scene, FLN insurgents attack the Legionnaires from a mountain hideout with several rifles and machine guns, including a Chatellerault M1924/29.
MAS AA-52
In several scenes, Legionnaires are equipped with the MAS AA-52. Oddly, it is never actually seen fired during their clashes with the FLN rebels.
Browning M1919A4
In several scenes, Browning M1919A4s are used by Legionnaires. In most cases, they are mounted on Jeeps to provide supporting fire during urban shootouts.
Miscellaneous
Mk 2 Hand Grenade
During a training, an instructor demonstrates to the new and relatively innocent recruits how a simple but deadly booby trap can be constructed from a tin can and an Mk 2 hand grenade.
M29 Mortar
In a mountain marching scene, Pascal is seen with the barrel of a 81mm M29 Mortar slung on his back. This mortar is also used by the Legionnaires in several clashes with FLN insurgents.