 Join our Discord!
|
| If you have been locked out of your account you can request a password reset here. |
Difference between revisions of "L.A. Confidential"
| (33 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | {{Infobox Movie|{{PAGENAME}} | |
| + | |name = L.A. Confidential | ||
| + | |picture = LA.jpg | ||
| + | |caption = ''Movie poster'' | ||
| + | |country = [[Image:USA.jpg|25px]] United States | ||
| + | |director = Curtis Hanson | ||
| + | |date= 1997 | ||
| + | |language = English | ||
| + | |studio=Regency Enterprises<br>The Wolper Organization | ||
| + | |distributor=Warner Bros. | ||
| + | |character1=Detective Sergeant Jack Vincennes | ||
| + | |actor1=[[Kevin Spacey]] | ||
| + | |character2=Detective Bud White | ||
| + | |actor2=[[Russell Crowe]] | ||
| + | |character3=Lt. Edmund "Ed" Exley | ||
| + | |actor3=[[Guy Pearce]] | ||
| + | |character4=Capt. Dudley Smith | ||
| + | |actor4=[[James Cromwell]] | ||
| + | |character5=Lynn Bracken | ||
| + | |actor5=[[Kim Basinger]] | ||
| + | |character6=Pierce Morehouse Patchett | ||
| + | |actor6=[[David Strathairn]] | ||
| + | |character7= Sid Hudgens | ||
| + | |actor7=[[Danny DeVito]] | ||
| + | |character8=Det. Richard "Dick" Stensland | ||
| + | |actor8=[[Graham Beckel]] | ||
| + | |character9=Det. Michael Breuning | ||
| + | |actor9=[[Tomas Arana]] | ||
| + | |character10=Matt Reynolds | ||
| + | |actor10=[[Simon Baker]] | ||
| + | }} | ||
| − | '''The | + | '''''L.A. Confidential''''' is the 1997 crime noir film co-written and directed by Curtis Hanson and was an adaptation of the novel of the same name written by James Ellroy (the crime novelist whose stories have been adapted for such films as ''[[The Black Dahlia]]'', ''[[Cop (1988)|Cop]]'', and ''[[Dark Blue (2002)|Dark Blue]]''). Set in the early 1950s, the film follows three LAPD detectives whose paths cross during an investigation into a multiple homicide that involved a former officer. The film's cast includes [[Russell Crowe]], [[Kevin Spacey]], [[Guy Pearce]], [[James Cromwell]] and [[Kim Basinger]], who received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Lynn Bracken. ''L.A. Confidential'' was later adapted for television twice, in a 1999 unsold pilot for FOX that starred [[Kiefer Sutherland]] as Det. Jack Vincennes (see [[L.A. Confidential#L.A. Confidential .28unsold pilot.29|below]]) and then in an unsold 2018 television pilot for CBS that starred [[Walton Goggins]] as Det. Jack Vincennes. In 2015, the United States Library of Congress selected ''L.A. Confidential'' for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". |
| + | |||
| + | {{Film Title}} | ||
__TOC__<br clear=all> | __TOC__<br clear=all> | ||
| − | |||
{{Spoilers}} | {{Spoilers}} | ||
=Revolvers= | =Revolvers= | ||
| − | |||
== Colt Detective Special == | == Colt Detective Special == | ||
The [[Colt Detective Special]] snubnose revolver is most commonly seen gun in the film. This revolver is carried by both Officer Bud White ([[Russell Crowe]]) and Lt. Ed Exley ([[Guy Pearce]]). Det. Richard Stensland ([[Graham Beckel]]) also carries one of these, seen only when he hands it over to his superiors. | The [[Colt Detective Special]] snubnose revolver is most commonly seen gun in the film. This revolver is carried by both Officer Bud White ([[Russell Crowe]]) and Lt. Ed Exley ([[Guy Pearce]]). Det. Richard Stensland ([[Graham Beckel]]) also carries one of these, seen only when he hands it over to his superiors. | ||
| − | [[Image:Colt Detective Special.jpg|thumb|none| | + | [[Image:Colt Detective Special.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Colt Detective Special - .38 special]] |
[[Image:LAC-Bud-1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|White puts his badge and his Detective Special on the chief's desk.]] | [[Image:LAC-Bud-1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|White puts his badge and his Detective Special on the chief's desk.]] | ||
[[Image:LAC-Sten-1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Det. Richard Stensland ([[Graham Beckel]]) hands over his badge and his Colt DS.]] | [[Image:LAC-Sten-1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Det. Richard Stensland ([[Graham Beckel]]) hands over his badge and his Colt DS.]] | ||
| Line 23: | Line 52: | ||
== Colt Police Positive == | == Colt Police Positive == | ||
| − | + | Near the start of the film, Bud White disarms Leland "Buzz" Meeks (Darrell Sandeen) of his revolver, which appears to be a [[Colt Police Positive]], as the frame size and grips are too small to be a [[Colt Official Police]]. When Ed Exley visits the Nite Owl crime scene, he sees what appears to be the same model revolver near the dead cook's hand, later telling Capt. Smith that the cook appears to have reached for this revolver but was murdered before he could use it. | |
| + | |||
[[File:Second Colt Police Positive.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Colt Police Positive with 4" Barrel - .38 spl]] | [[File:Second Colt Police Positive.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Colt Police Positive with 4" Barrel - .38 spl]] | ||
| + | [[File:LAC 462.jpg|thumb|none|600px|White disarms Leland "Buzz" Meeks (Darrell Sandeen) of his revolver near the start of the film.]] | ||
[[Image:LAC-NO-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The cook at the Nite Owl lays murdered next to his revolver.]] | [[Image:LAC-NO-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The cook at the Nite Owl lays murdered next to his revolver.]] | ||
| Line 31: | Line 62: | ||
[[Image:S&W-Model-10.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Smith & Wesson Model 10 Revolver - .38 Special]] | [[Image:S&W-Model-10.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Smith & Wesson Model 10 Revolver - .38 Special]] | ||
[[Image:LAC-Jones-rev.jpg|thumb|none|601px|The S&W revolver is seen right before Jones ([[Kareem Washington]]) reaches for it.]] | [[Image:LAC-Jones-rev.jpg|thumb|none|601px|The S&W revolver is seen right before Jones ([[Kareem Washington]]) reaches for it.]] | ||
| + | [[File:LAC 424.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Ty Jones ([[Kareem Washington]]) holds the [[Smith & Wesson Model 10|Smith & Wesson M&P]].]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Smith & Wesson .32 Hand Ejector Third Model == | ||
| + | Officer White plants a [[Smith & Wesson .32 Hand Ejector Third Model]] in the hand of rapist Sylvester Fitch (Jeff Sanders). It is identifiable as the .32 Third Model by the ejector rod and the S&W trademark on the left side of the frame. This particular model was the "I" frame. Predecessor to the "J" frame. | ||
| − | + | [[File:S&WnicebluedHE.jpg|none|300px|thumb|S&W .32 Hand Ejector Third Model]] | |
| − | |||
| − | [[ | ||
[[Image:LAC-Bud-bkp.jpg|thumb|none|601px|White places a S&W Model 30 revolver with pre-taped trigger and grip in Fitch's hand.]] | [[Image:LAC-Bud-bkp.jpg|thumb|none|601px|White places a S&W Model 30 revolver with pre-taped trigger and grip in Fitch's hand.]] | ||
| Line 41: | Line 74: | ||
[[Image:Model15a.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Smith & Wesson Model 15 .38 Special]] | [[Image:Model15a.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Smith & Wesson Model 15 .38 Special]] | ||
[[Image:Laconf-sw1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Capt. Smith fires his S&W Model 15.]] | [[Image:Laconf-sw1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Capt. Smith fires his S&W Model 15.]] | ||
| − | [[Image:Laconf-sw2.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Capt. Smith | + | [[Image:Laconf-sw2.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Capt. Smith rotates the revolver in his hand to cock the hammer. [[James Cromwell]] handles a similar model revolver in a similar manner in the 1996 film [[Eraser#Smith & Wesson Model 15|''Eraser'']].]] |
=Pistols= | =Pistols= | ||
| Line 48: | Line 81: | ||
Sgt. Jack Vincennes ([[Kevin Spacey]]) carries what appears to be a [[Colt Government]] with customized grips as his duty sidearm, carrying it during the "Movie Premiere Pot Bust" and while arresting the Nite Owl suspects. | Sgt. Jack Vincennes ([[Kevin Spacey]]) carries what appears to be a [[Colt Government]] with customized grips as his duty sidearm, carrying it during the "Movie Premiere Pot Bust" and while arresting the Nite Owl suspects. | ||
[[Image:ColtGovernmentModel.jpg |thumb|none|300px|Colt Government]] | [[Image:ColtGovernmentModel.jpg |thumb|none|300px|Colt Government]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC 401.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Sgt. Jack Vincennes ([[Kevin Spacey]]) draws his Colt pistol during the "Movie Premiere Pot Bust".]] | ||
[[Image:LAC-Vin-1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Sgt. Jack Vincennes ([[Kevin Spacey]]) carries the Colt Government as he and Exley prepare to arrest the Nite Owl suspects.]] | [[Image:LAC-Vin-1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Sgt. Jack Vincennes ([[Kevin Spacey]]) carries the Colt Government as he and Exley prepare to arrest the Nite Owl suspects.]] | ||
[[Image:LAC-Vin-2.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Vincennes holds the pistol during the raid on Sugar Ray Collins' apartment.]] | [[Image:LAC-Vin-2.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Vincennes holds the pistol during the raid on Sugar Ray Collins' apartment.]] | ||
| + | [[File:LAC 467.jpg|thumb|none|600px|]] | ||
| + | |||
== M1911A1 == | == M1911A1 == | ||
| − | Roland Navarette ([[Steven Lambert]]) is seen using an [[M1911A1]] when Exley and Carlisle bust in | + | Roland Navarette ([[Steven Lambert]]) is seen using an [[M1911A1]] when Exley and Carlisle bust in a hideout. White gets one from his car, giving the pistol and an extra magazine to Exley to use during the final gunfight at the Victory Motel. |
[[Image:M1911Colt.jpg|thumb|350px|none|M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP.]] | [[Image:M1911Colt.jpg|thumb|350px|none|M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP.]] | ||
| + | [[File:LAC 414.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Roland Navarette ([[Steven Lambert]]) is seen using an [[M1911A1]] when Exley and Carlisle bust in.]] | ||
[[Image:LAC-RolNav-45.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Navarette fires the M1911A1 at Officer Carlisle.]] | [[Image:LAC-RolNav-45.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Navarette fires the M1911A1 at Officer Carlisle.]] | ||
[[Image:LAC-Ed-45.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Exley hits the ground holding his .45 during the Victory Motel shootout.]] | [[Image:LAC-Ed-45.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Exley hits the ground holding his .45 during the Victory Motel shootout.]] | ||
| Line 59: | Line 96: | ||
== Colt M1903 Hammerless == | == Colt M1903 Hammerless == | ||
| − | + | A .32 ACP [[Colt Model 1903|Colt Model 1903 Hammerless]] pistol is seen pointed at Sgt. Jack Vincennes ([[Kevin Spacey]]). | |
[[Image:Colt_Model_1903.jpg|thumb|none|325px|Colt Model 1903 Semiautomatic Pistol - .32 ACP]] | [[Image:Colt_Model_1903.jpg|thumb|none|325px|Colt Model 1903 Semiautomatic Pistol - .32 ACP]] | ||
| − | [[Image:Laconf-colt1.jpg|thumb|none|601px| | + | [[Image:Laconf-colt1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|A .32 ACP [[Colt Model 1903|Colt Model 1903 Hammerless]] pistol is seen pointed at Sgt. Jack Vincennes ([[Kevin Spacey]]).]] |
=Shotgun= | =Shotgun= | ||
== Ithaca 37 == | == Ithaca 37 == | ||
| − | Almost as commonly seen as the [[Colt Detective Special]], the 12-gauge [[Ithaca 37]] is the main shotgun seen in the film. Breuning ([[Tomas Arana]]), Carlisle, Exley, and White are among the officers seen using this shotgun throughout the film. Carlisle and Exley carry these during the Bunker Hill apartment raid, leading to Exley's "Shotgun Ed" moniker. At the Victory Motel shootout finale, Bud White uses the shotgun with great effect. | + | Almost as commonly seen as the [[Colt Detective Special]], the 12-gauge [[Ithaca 37]] is the main shotgun seen in the film. Michael Breuning ([[Tomas Arana]]), William Carlisle, Exley, and White are among the officers seen using this shotgun throughout the film. Carlisle and Exley carry these during the Bunker Hill apartment raid, leading to Exley's "Shotgun Ed" moniker. At the Victory Motel shootout finale, Bud White uses the shotgun with great effect. |
[[Image:IthacaModel37.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Ithaca Model 37 - 12 gauge]] | [[Image:IthacaModel37.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Ithaca Model 37 - 12 gauge]] | ||
[[Image:LAC-BruCar-shot1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Breuning ([[Tomas Arana]]) threatens Vincennes with a 12-gauge.]] | [[Image:LAC-BruCar-shot1.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Breuning ([[Tomas Arana]]) threatens Vincennes with a 12-gauge.]] | ||
[[Image:LAC-BruCar-shot2.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Carlisle ([[Michael McCleery]]) and Breuning ([[Tomas Arana]]) are armed with Ithaca shotguns in the Nite Owl suspects' apartment.]] | [[Image:LAC-BruCar-shot2.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Carlisle ([[Michael McCleery]]) and Breuning ([[Tomas Arana]]) are armed with Ithaca shotguns in the Nite Owl suspects' apartment.]] | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[File:LAC 409.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Breuning ([[Tomas Arana]]) armed with the Ithaca.]] |
| − | [[Image:LAC-Bud-shot-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Bud | + | [[File:LAC 412.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Carlisle ([[Michael McCleery]]) armed with the Ithaca.]] |
| + | [[Image:LAC-Bud-shot-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Bud armed with the shotgun at the Victory Motel.]] | ||
== Winchester Model 1912 == | == Winchester Model 1912 == | ||
| Line 78: | Line 116: | ||
[[Image:LAC-Merc-shots.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Vincennes and Exley find the shotguns in the '49 Mercury.]] | [[Image:LAC-Merc-shots.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Vincennes and Exley find the shotguns in the '49 Mercury.]] | ||
| + | == Winchester Model 1897 == | ||
| + | A [[Winchester Model 1897]] is another shotgun seen in the back seat of the '49 Mercury when Vincennes and Exley search for the Nite Owl suspects. The Nite Owl shooters were said to have used 12-gauge pump shotguns with a five-shell capacity. | ||
| + | [[Image:WinchesterM1897.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Winchester M1897]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC-Merc-shots.jpg|thumb|none|601px|Vincennes and Exley find the shotguns in the '49 Mercury.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | =L.A. Confidential (unsold pilot)= | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_poster.jpg|thumb|right|300px| ''L.A. Confidential'' (2003)]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''L.A. Confidential''''' was also adapted as an 2003 unsold pilot written to be a prequel to the film starring [[Kiefer Sutherland]] as Det. Jack Vincennes, [[David Conrad]] as Det. Ed Exley, [[Josh Hopkins]] as Officer Bud White, [[Melissa George]] as Lynn Bracken, and [[Tom Nowicki]] as Captain Dudley Smith. Originally planned for a 13 episode run on HBO, the premium channel eventually passed on the project. The FOX network then ordered a pilot, but declined to pick it up as a series. Filmed in 1999 and intended to air in 2000, the pilot did not air on television until the fall of 2003. Though intended to be a prequel, the pilot differs from the film on a few facts, like Bud White's first meeting with Lynn Bracken and Ed Exley already working for Internal Affairs. The episode ends in a cliffhanger, one which will never be resolved. The entire episode is available as a special feature on home video copies of ''L.A. Confidential'' the film. | ||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | ''Note: The episode lacks opening and closing titles, not even a title card, and the IMDB page is sparse, thus many of the actors cannot be properly credited.'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''The following firearms were used in the film ''L.A. Confidential'' (2003):''' | ||
| + | __TOC__<br clear=all> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Colt Official Police== | ||
| + | An assailant (uncredited) opens fire on Det. Jack Vincennes ([[Kiefer Sutherland]]) during a botched undercover drug buy with a [[Colt Official Police|Colt Official Police Heavy Barrel]]. Uniformed officers, including Officer Bud White ([[Josh Hopkins]]) are armed with Colt Official Police revolvers as well. | ||
| + | [[Image:ColtOPwithLongbarrel.jpg|thumb|none|350px|Colt Official Police - 6" Heavy Barrel - .38 Special]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_COP_01.jpg|thumb|none|500px|An assailant opens fire on Det. Jack Vincennes.]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_COP_02.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Officer Bud White, not yet a detective, with his service revolver.]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_COP_03.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Officer Bud White ([[Josh Hopkins]]) with his revolver.]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_COP_04.jpg|thumb|none|500px|White fires his revolver on the run.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Smith & Wesson Model 36== | ||
| + | Det. Jack Vincennes uses a nickel-plated [[Smith & Wesson Model 36]] during the botched undercover drug buy. It's not known if this is intended to be his service weapon, or whether he's just using it as part of his disguise. (He carried a Colt Government in the film). | ||
| + | [[Image:S&WModel36Nickel.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Smith & Wesson Model 36 (Nickel-Plated) - .38 Special]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_SW36_01.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A wounded Jack Vincennes opens fire with his revolver. Note the five rounds in the cylinder.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Iver Johnson Revolver== | ||
| + | When Jack and his partner ([[Jack McGee]]) realize that they've mistakenly gunned down an unarmed bystander, Jack's partner (credited as such) use an [[Iver Johnson Revolver]] as a drop piece. | ||
| + | [[Image:Iver-Johnson-Revolver-38-calibershort.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Iver Johnson - .38 S&W]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_IJ_01.jpg|thumb|none|500px|An Iver Johnson with taped grips dropped by the dead man, mistakenly shot by Jack Vincennes.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Coach Gun== | ||
| + | A bank robber (an uncredited [[C. Thomas Howell]]), fires a [[Coach Gun]] at police. | ||
| + | [[Image:IGA-Coach-Gun.jpg|thumb|none|350px|Stoeger/IGA Coach imported side by side shotgun - 12 Gauge]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_DBS_01.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The bank robber fires both barrels at police.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Colt Detective Special== | ||
| + | Once the shotgun is out, the same bank robber ([[C. Thomas Howell]]) transitions to a [[Colt Detective Special]]. | ||
| + | [[Image:Colt Detective Special.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Colt Detective Special - .38 Special]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_DS_01.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The bank robber ([[C. Thomas Howell]]) holds the revolver during the confrontation with police.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Winchester Model 1912== | ||
| + | The other bank robber (also uncredited) is armed with a [[Winchester Model 1912]]. | ||
| + | [[Image:WinchesterModel12Riot.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Winchester M1912 Riot Gun - 12 Gauge]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_W12_01.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The other bank robber with his Winchester Model 1912.]] | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_W12_02.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The other bank robber with his Winchester Model 1912.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Unidentifiable revolver== | ||
| + | Jack's partner ([[Jack McGee]]) fires an unidentifiable revolver during the botched undercover drug buy. It's only seen once in a quick over-the-shoulder shot. | ||
| + | [[Image:LAC2003_unknown_01.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The only shot of the revolver available.]] | ||
[[Category:Movie]] | [[Category:Movie]] | ||
| Line 83: | Line 175: | ||
[[Category:Detective]] | [[Category:Detective]] | ||
[[Category:Mystery]] | [[Category:Mystery]] | ||
| + | [[Category:National Film Registry]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:42, 15 July 2023
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L.A. Confidential is the 1997 crime noir film co-written and directed by Curtis Hanson and was an adaptation of the novel of the same name written by James Ellroy (the crime novelist whose stories have been adapted for such films as The Black Dahlia, Cop, and Dark Blue). Set in the early 1950s, the film follows three LAPD detectives whose paths cross during an investigation into a multiple homicide that involved a former officer. The film's cast includes Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell and Kim Basinger, who received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Lynn Bracken. L.A. Confidential was later adapted for television twice, in a 1999 unsold pilot for FOX that starred Kiefer Sutherland as Det. Jack Vincennes (see below) and then in an unsold 2018 television pilot for CBS that starred Walton Goggins as Det. Jack Vincennes. In 2015, the United States Library of Congress selected L.A. Confidential for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
The following weapons were used in the film L.A. Confidential:
WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Revolvers
Colt Detective Special
The Colt Detective Special snubnose revolver is most commonly seen gun in the film. This revolver is carried by both Officer Bud White (Russell Crowe) and Lt. Ed Exley (Guy Pearce). Det. Richard Stensland (Graham Beckel) also carries one of these, seen only when he hands it over to his superiors.
Colt Police Positive
Near the start of the film, Bud White disarms Leland "Buzz" Meeks (Darrell Sandeen) of his revolver, which appears to be a Colt Police Positive, as the frame size and grips are too small to be a Colt Official Police. When Ed Exley visits the Nite Owl crime scene, he sees what appears to be the same model revolver near the dead cook's hand, later telling Capt. Smith that the cook appears to have reached for this revolver but was murdered before he could use it.
Smith & Wesson Military & Police
Nite Owl suspect Ty Jones (Kareem Washington) grabs a Smith & Wesson M&P to try and defend himself from Exley and Carlisle during their raid.
Smith & Wesson .32 Hand Ejector Third Model
Officer White plants a Smith & Wesson .32 Hand Ejector Third Model in the hand of rapist Sylvester Fitch (Jeff Sanders). It is identifiable as the .32 Third Model by the ejector rod and the S&W trademark on the left side of the frame. This particular model was the "I" frame. Predecessor to the "J" frame.
Smith & Wesson Combat Masterpiece
Capt. Dudley Smith (James Cromwell) appears to be using a Smith & Wesson Combat Masterpiece with a 4" barrel during the climactic shootout at the Victory Motel. The story takes place before 1957 when Smith & Wesson began numbering its models.
Pistols
Colt Government
Sgt. Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) carries what appears to be a Colt Government with customized grips as his duty sidearm, carrying it during the "Movie Premiere Pot Bust" and while arresting the Nite Owl suspects.
M1911A1
Roland Navarette (Steven Lambert) is seen using an M1911A1 when Exley and Carlisle bust in a hideout. White gets one from his car, giving the pistol and an extra magazine to Exley to use during the final gunfight at the Victory Motel.
Colt M1903 Hammerless
A .32 ACP Colt Model 1903 Hammerless pistol is seen pointed at Sgt. Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey).
Shotgun
Ithaca 37
Almost as commonly seen as the Colt Detective Special, the 12-gauge Ithaca 37 is the main shotgun seen in the film. Michael Breuning (Tomas Arana), William Carlisle, Exley, and White are among the officers seen using this shotgun throughout the film. Carlisle and Exley carry these during the Bunker Hill apartment raid, leading to Exley's "Shotgun Ed" moniker. At the Victory Motel shootout finale, Bud White uses the shotgun with great effect.
Winchester Model 1912
Several Winchester Model 1912 shotguns are seen in the back seat of the '49 Mercury when Vincennes and Exley search for the Nite Owl suspects. The Nite Owl shooters were said to have used 12-gauge pump shotguns with a five-shell capacity.
Winchester Model 1897
A Winchester Model 1897 is another shotgun seen in the back seat of the '49 Mercury when Vincennes and Exley search for the Nite Owl suspects. The Nite Owl shooters were said to have used 12-gauge pump shotguns with a five-shell capacity.
L.A. Confidential (unsold pilot)
L.A. Confidential was also adapted as an 2003 unsold pilot written to be a prequel to the film starring Kiefer Sutherland as Det. Jack Vincennes, David Conrad as Det. Ed Exley, Josh Hopkins as Officer Bud White, Melissa George as Lynn Bracken, and Tom Nowicki as Captain Dudley Smith. Originally planned for a 13 episode run on HBO, the premium channel eventually passed on the project. The FOX network then ordered a pilot, but declined to pick it up as a series. Filmed in 1999 and intended to air in 2000, the pilot did not air on television until the fall of 2003. Though intended to be a prequel, the pilot differs from the film on a few facts, like Bud White's first meeting with Lynn Bracken and Ed Exley already working for Internal Affairs. The episode ends in a cliffhanger, one which will never be resolved. The entire episode is available as a special feature on home video copies of L.A. Confidential the film.
Note: The episode lacks opening and closing titles, not even a title card, and the IMDB page is sparse, thus many of the actors cannot be properly credited.
The following firearms were used in the film L.A. Confidential (2003):
Colt Official Police
An assailant (uncredited) opens fire on Det. Jack Vincennes (Kiefer Sutherland) during a botched undercover drug buy with a Colt Official Police Heavy Barrel. Uniformed officers, including Officer Bud White (Josh Hopkins) are armed with Colt Official Police revolvers as well.
Smith & Wesson Model 36
Det. Jack Vincennes uses a nickel-plated Smith & Wesson Model 36 during the botched undercover drug buy. It's not known if this is intended to be his service weapon, or whether he's just using it as part of his disguise. (He carried a Colt Government in the film).
Iver Johnson Revolver
When Jack and his partner (Jack McGee) realize that they've mistakenly gunned down an unarmed bystander, Jack's partner (credited as such) use an Iver Johnson Revolver as a drop piece.
Coach Gun
A bank robber (an uncredited C. Thomas Howell), fires a Coach Gun at police.
Colt Detective Special
Once the shotgun is out, the same bank robber (C. Thomas Howell) transitions to a Colt Detective Special.
Winchester Model 1912
The other bank robber (also uncredited) is armed with a Winchester Model 1912.
Unidentifiable revolver
Jack's partner (Jack McGee) fires an unidentifiable revolver during the botched undercover drug buy. It's only seen once in a quick over-the-shoulder shot.
