Battle: Los Angeles (2011)
Battle: Los Angeles (which was also released under the title World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles) is a 2011 science fiction war film directed by Jonathan Liebesman and produced by Columbia Pictures. The film stars Aaron Eckhart as Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz, a Marine on the verge of retirement and whose actions in battle start to cause concern among some of the men under his command; however, this is interrupted when the titular battle begins as a meteor shower turns out to be the first phase of an alien invasion. The film was made with the cooperation of the US Department of Defense and the United States Marine Corps, who supplied the production with authentic armor and aircraft. The events of the film are supposed to be tied into the "Battle of Los Angeles", an event in early 1942 when the US military opened fire on what were thought to be Japanese aircraft over the city; the "Battle" turned out to be a false alarm, though some believe the antiaircraft batteries were firing at alien spacecraft (an incident that loosely inspired the Spielberg film 1941). The film's cast includes Michelle Rodriguez, Ramon Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, and Michael Peña.
The following weapons were used in the film Battle: Los Angeles:
Handguns
Beretta 92FS
Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) is notably seen firing a Beretta 92FS (used as the substitute for the Military M9) pistol at the alien soldiers during the final battle. In a continuity error, he is seen first firing the handgun and then in the next scene he is actually seen drawing the handgun. A Marine is also seen drawing one out during the first encounter of the alien soldiers.
Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz firing a Beretta 92FS during the final battle.
Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (
Aaron Eckhart) holding the Beretta 92FS.
Nantz fires the Beretta at the alien soldiers.
A marine in the foreground with a Beretta 92FS.
Rifles
M4A1 Carbine
The M4A1 carbine is one of the main weapons utilized by the U.S. Armed Forces in the film. The M4A1 is seen in the hands of members of the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines including Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) and Second Lieutenant William Martinez (Ramon Rodriguez). USAF Technical Sergeant Elena Santos (Michelle Rodriguez) is also seen with an M4. The Marines' M4A1 carbines are fitted with ACOG scopes, RIS foregrips, Surefire Universal weaponlights, and most interestingly, AN/PEQ-15 laser designators; an improved, compact version of the AN/PEQ-2 system first employed in the early 2000's. In several scenes, bayonets are seen fixed on the M4s (which appear to be OKC-3S bayonets, adopted by the Marines to replace the M9 bayonet). The M4s are also all equipped with what appear to be Magpul Back Up Sights (MBUS) though these are never actually used. While training on Camp Pendelton the M4s are seen with EOtech Holographic sights
M4A1 with M68 Aimpoint reflex optic and Knight's Armament railed handguard and vertical forward grip - 5.56x45mm.
Several Marines are seen armed with M4A1 carbines. Note that this is the only inclusion of the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor in the entire movie. Although the Osprey was supposed to be phase out the CH-46E Sea Knight, most units, especially the ones stationed in the West Coast, are still equipped with the Sea Knights.
Behind Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (
Aaron Eckhart), an M4A1 carbine can be seen on the right being carried by Technical Sergeant Elena Santos (
Michelle Rodriguez) in a production still.
Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (
Aaron Eckhart) raises his M4A1 carbine fitted with an ACOG scope and the AN/PEQ-15 laser designator, an improved, compact version of the AN/PEQ-2 system first employed in the early 2000's.
Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (
Aaron Eckhart) fires his M4A1 carbine.
Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (
Aaron Eckhart) is seen with his M4A1 carbine slung by his side as he throws an M67 grenade towards a gas station in an attempt to lure the enemy unmanned gunship. Note the
Resistance 3 billboard in the background.
Technical Sergeant Elena Santos (
Michelle Rodriguez) aims her M4A1 carbine. Note that she is the only one who is seen with a M4A1 that uses the standard handguard instead of the RIS rails handguard.
Santos uses the bayonet on an alien soldier.
Santos with her M4A1 that has the bayonet fixed on it.
M16A4 Rifle
The M16A4 rifle is carried by various Marines fitted with ACOG scopes (both TA31F and TA31RCO models in Larue Precision mounts), RIS foregrips, Surefire flashlights mounted in Viking Tactics mounts, Viking Tactics rifle slings, Magpul MBUS rear sights, and AN/PEQ-15 IR designators. Soldiers of the 40th Infantry Division (CA ARNG) are also armed with M16A4s, but without the AN/PEQ-15s. Joe Rincon (Michael Peña) is seen using the M16A4 as well.
Battle: Los Angeles M16A4 rifle with AN/PEQ-15 IR designator, RIS foregrip, ACOG scope and Magpul MBUS Rear Sight - 5.56x45mm
One of the M16A4 rifles is taken from the armory.
A Marine receives his M16A4 (fitted with a TA31RCO ACOG in this shot).
The Marines begin their street patrol armed with their M16A4s as they make their way across Santa Monica.
LCpl. Kerns (
Jim Parrack) holds his M16A4. Here the weaponlight and AN/PEQ-15 IR designator are visible.
Marines patrol with their M16A4s at the ready. Mistake: LCpl Kerns rifle appears to have a Surefire M82 rail rather than the issue KAC rail.
Lenihan holds the M16A4, the AN/PEQ-15 laser designator is visible.
LCpl. Kerns (
Jim Parrack) and Cpl. Lockett providing overwatch with their M16A4s as they search for a means of escape from the police station. Mistake: LCpl Kerns rifle appears to have a Surefire M82 rail rather than the issue KAC rail.
Cpl. Kevin Harris (
Ne-Yo) with the M16A4.
Cpl. Kevin Harris (
Ne-Yo) holds his M16A4 while getting on the bus.
Next to Michelle (
Bridget Moynahan), a soldier of the California Army National Guard, 40th Infantry Division is seen with an M16A4 rifle. Unlike the Marines, the National Guardsmen's rifles are not fitted with AN/PEQ-15s.
At one point, Joe Rincon (
Michael Peña) acquires a dropped M16A4 and opens fire with it at an approaching alien. Despite shooting from the hip, he successfully takes the alien down with several well-placed shots.
Machine Guns
FN M249 SAW
The M249 SAW used by the US Marines as well, some fitted with an ACOG scope. Stavrou carries the full-length E2 model with long barrel and fixed synthetic buttstock, while at least two E3 Para models with short barrels and M4-style collapsible buttstocks can be seen among the Marines while they're boarding the helicopters at Camp Pendleton.
FN M249E2 SAW, equipped with a 200 round ammo drum - 5.56x45mm
Simmons (
Taylor Handley) aims his M249. Note that he seems to be using the iron sights instead of the ACOG, which is possible since the scope has a 'tunnel' in the mount that allows for this.
Simmons takes cover with his M249 SAW when Nantz and his Marines engage the alien soldiers.
A Marine is seen shooting at an alien soldier with his M249 SAW.
M249E3 SAW Paratrooper with ACOG scope and 100-round woodland camo cloth ammo bag - 5.56x45mm
The Marine is the background carries the SAW paratrooper.
The SAW paratrooper is seen on the right.
On the right, the Marine is seen with paratrooper variant of the SAW.
FN M240 Machine Gun
Several models of the M240 machine gun are seen used in the film. The "D" model of the M240 machine gun is visible on the ramp of the U.S.M.C. CH-46 Sea Knight carrying Nance's Marines as well as on the UH-1 Huey helicopter sent to retrieve the Marines at the police station. The M240B is seen mounted on Marine LAV's. Nantz is seen manning the M240B when the Marines commandeer an LAV. Also, the coaxial-mounted version M240C is utilized by the LAV-25 and an M1A1 Abrams tank.
FN M240D vehicle and aircraft-mount version with spade grips - 7.62x51mm NATO
The mounted version of the M240 machine gun is visible on the ramp of the U.S.M.C. CH-46 Sea Knight.
A Sea-Knight crew member mans an M240D machine gun.
The M240D also are seen door-mounted on the UH-1 Huey helicopter sent to retrieve the Marines at the police station. In reality, this is an earlier model Huey and not the UH-1N/Bell 212 Twin Huey currently used by the Marines, which has two engines. Actual Marine helicopters can be seen in the Browning M3 entry.
FN M240C vehicle coaxial-mount version - 7.62x51mm NATO
FN M240B - 7.62x51mm NATO
An LAV crew member mans the M240B.
Nantz is seen manning the M240B when the Marines commandeer an LAV. Also visible in this shot is the firing port for the LAV-25's coaxial M240C, mounted next to the LAV's main armament.
During boot camp,
Aaron Eckhart gets to train with the M240B mounted on a Humvee in behind the scenes footage.
Browning M2HB Heavy Machine Gun
The Browning M2HB heavy machine gun is seen mounted on various Marine Humvees as well as in a machine gun nest at the Santa Monica Airport. Cpl. Jason Lockett (Cory Hardrict) is seen using a Humvee's M2 to fire at alien soldiers on an overpass. The M2HB is also seen mounted on an M1A1 Abrams tank and on AAVP7A1 amphibious APCs in news footage.
Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG
Cpl Jason Lockett (
Cory Hardrict) is seen manning the Browning M2HB from a disabled Humvee.
Lockett uses the M2HB to pour fire on alien soldiers on an overpass.
.50 BMG shells fall from the Humvee as Lockett provides suppressing fire with the Browning M2HB. Note how these are obviously crimp-nosed blank rounds.
Cpl. Lockett mans the Browning M2HB against a number of alien combatants and an alien crew-served weapon. The soldier on the left is seen running as a volley of alien missiles blows up the SUV he was using as cover. This is a soldier of the 40th Infantry Division and not one of the Marines from Echo 2-5.
An M2HB machine gun mounted on top of the M1A1 Abrams tank on the left.
Another Browning M2HB is seen on top of the Humvee that the group commandeers as they make their way from Santa Monica Airport to the secondary extraction zone.
During boot camp,
Aaron Eckhart gets to train with the Browning M2HB in behind the scenes footage.
During boot camp,
Michelle Rodriguez gets to train with the M2HB in behind the scenes footage.
Browning M3 Heavy Machine Gun
When Nantz meets Lt. Martinez, several Marines can be seen mounting a Browning M3 at the side of a UH-1N Huey helicopter at MCAS Camp Pendleton (in a continuity error, they are seen mounting the machine gun twice).
Browning M3 Aircraft - .50 BMG
The Marine flight crew to the left can be seen mounting a
Browning M3 at the side of a UH-1N Huey helicopter at MCAS Camp Pendleton and...
... in a continuity error, they mount the machine gun twice.
Heavy Weapons
BGM-71 TOW
In some shots, USMC AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters can be seen armed with BGM-71 TOW missiles on the wing pylons.
BGM-71 TOW 152mm on M220 tripod
The Super Cobra helicopter in the background can be seen with two BGM-71 TOW launchers mounted on the outboard wing pylon
M242 Bushmaster chaingun
The 25mm M242 Bushmaster chaingun is the main gun of the Marines' LAV-25 armored personnel carrier seen throughout the film.
M242 Bushmaster chaingun 25mm
An LAV-25 APC is seen in the background armed with an M242 Bushmaster on the top.
Nantz and his Marines commandeer an abandoned LAV with an M242 Bushmaster mounted on top as the group makes their way to the secondary extraction zone.
M197 Vulcan
The M197 Vulcan appears in the film as the secondary armament of USMC AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters.
A pair of AH-1W Super Cobras fly past SSgt. Nantz, the M197 Vulcan's chin-mounted on each one.
GAU-8/A Avenger
When the Marines are scrambled to counter the invasion, two A-10A Thunderbolt IIs can be seen sitting on the tarmac, complete with their General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger cannons.
Two A-10s can be seen parked on the tarmac, armed with GAU-8/A Avenger cannons.
Mk 19 Grenade Launcher
The Mk 19 grenade launcher is briefly seen mounted on a Marine Humvee when Nantz and his squad first take the streets in Santa Monica. Mk 19s can also be seen in the mini-turrets of USMC AAVP7A1 amphibious transports in news footage earlier in the movie.
Mk 19 grenade launcher 40mm in vehicle mounting
As the Marines open the armory an AAVP7A1 can briefly be seen on television, armed with a Browning M2HB and Mk 19 grenade launcher in the mini-turret.
The Mk 19 grenade launcher is briefly seen mounted on a Marine Humvee (on the left) when Nantz and his squad first take the streets in Santa Monica.
Other
M203 Grenade Launcher
The M203 grenade launcher is seen used by U.S. Marines as well. The grenade launchers mounted on the M4A1 carbines are the shorter M203A1 models, while the ones seen on the M16A4s are the M203. Cpl. Lee Imlay (Will Rothhaar) is notably seen using his M203A1 to detonate an explosive during the final battle.
M203 grenade launcher 40mm mounted on M4A1 carbine 5.56x45mm with M68 Aimpoint red dot scope
Cpl Jason Lockett (
Cory Hardrict) holds his M4A1 fitted with the shorter M203A1 grenade launcher.
Cpl. Lockett aiming his M4A1 with the M203A1 grenade launcher during the final battle.
A Marine utilizes his M203A1 grenade launcher during the final battle.
Cpl. Lee Imlay (
Will Rothhaar) using his M203A1 to detonate an explosive during the final battle.
Cpl. Imlay and Lockett aiming their M4A1 Carbines with M203A1 grenade launchers.
M203 grenade launcher 40mm mounted on M16A4 rifle 5.56x45mm with ACOG scope
The Marine on the left edge of the image can be seen scanning with his M16A4/M203.
Another marine with his M16A4 with an M203 grenade launcher.
M136 AT4
One of the Marines is seen carrying the M136 AT4 after acquiring it from the wreckage of the FOB. Technical Sergeant Elena Santos (Michelle Rodriguez) uses it in the battle to destroy an alien drone. The sound editing crew seems to the treat the AT4 as a guided weapon, judging by the squealing lock-on tone heard before firing, despite the fact that Santos was actually aiming at the drone's flight path rather than the drone itself.
M136 AT4 Anti-tank recoilless launcher - 84mm
A Marine is seen with an M136 AT4 slung over his back.
M67 hand grenade
Nantz is notably seen using an M67 hand grenade to detonate a gas station.
M67 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade
Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (
Aaron Eckhart) prepares to throw an M67 grenade towards a gas station in an attempt to destroy the unmanned alien gunship drone.
Nantz throws the M67 grenade.
The M67 lands near the pumps.
A box of M67 grenades is seen as the Marines re-arm at a temporary base camp.
M18 smoke grenade
Cpl. Lee Imlay (Will Rothhaar) is seen tossing an M18 smoke grenade in order to mark a landing zone at the police station.
Cpl. Lee Imlay (
Will Rothhaar) is seen tossing an M18 smoke grenade in order to mark a landing zone at the police station.
As the Marines re-arm at a temporary base camp, they pass around various equipment, including this M18 smoke grenade.
M252 Mortar
A Marine mortar team is seen using an M252 mortar when Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) and his platoon arrives in Los Angeles.
A Marine loading a mortar round into the M252 mortar in the opening battle in Santa Monica.
M112 C4 Demolition Charge
During the battle on the highway, Marines are seen hiding M112 C4 demolition charges in wrecked vehicles as the aliens advance. While obviously no movie would have actors handling actual plastic explosive charges, the prop charges emulate the lettering of the real thing.
M112 C4 demolition charge. Note lettering.
A Marine places an M112 demolition charge into the wheel well of a wrecked vehicle.
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