Angel Heart (1987)

Angel Heart (1987)

Angel Heart (Not to be confused with the 2005 Anime Angel Heart) is a 1987 neo-noir psychological horror film directed by Alan Parker (Midnight Express, Mississippi Burning) and starring Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro. The film follows a private detective hired to track down a missing singer, known as "Johnny Favorite," in the early 1950s. The film is an adaption of William Hjortsberg's 1978 novel Falling Angel, and is known for its controversial casting of Lisa Bonet (whose character has a graphic sex scene in the film), who was famous for her role on The Cosby Show.

The following weapons were used in the film Angel Heart (1987):

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Revolvers

Smith & Wesson Model 38

Harry Angel's (Mickey Rourke) personal firearm throughout the film is a snubnosed Smith & Wesson Model 38 revolver. While it is not technically an anachronism, the film takes place in 1955, the same year the Model 38 was released. It's unlikely, but not impossible, that a lowly Brooklyn private detective such as Angel would have a brand new gun such as this.

Smith & Wesson Model 38, aluminum-alloy-framed version of Model 49 - .38 Special

The Model 38 can be seen in Angel's (Mickey Rourke) suitcase. Note the "camel-hump" hammer shroud, S&W-style release latch, and gold medallions in the grips.

Angel retrieves his Model 38 from his luggage.

Detective Deimos (Pruitt Taylor Vince) examines Angel's revolver when investigating him for a murder, during which he opens the cylinder and smells the barrel to determine if it has been fired. While the cylinder is open and the gun cannot fire, pointing a firearm at one's own face is still not recommended.

The Model 58 is uncovered and retrieved by Cyphre (Robert De Niro). This is the clearest shot of the weapon in the film.

Enfield No. 2

When Angel investigates the home of Doctor Fowler (Michael Higgins), he finds an Enfield No. 2 revolver in a dresser drawer. He finds it unloaded, but later finds that Doctor Fowler kept the ammunition in a hollowed-out bible.

Enfield No.2 Mk.1* - .38 S&W

Angel discovers the Enfield No. 2 revolver in a dresser drawer next to a bible. Note the smooth DAO hammer and black plastic grips.

Angel breaks open the revolver, revealing empty chambers.

The Enfield in Doctor Fowler's hand.

Angel discovers a hidden stash of .38 S&W ammunition hidden in a hollowed-out bible.

Unknown Colt Revolver

One of the men working for Ethan Krusemark (Stocker Fontelieu) fires what appears to be a long-barreled Colt revolver at Angel. It's seen only briefly and the shots are too blurry to accurately identify it.

The Krusemark enforcer loads his revolver. Note the possibly Colt-style ejection-rod cap.

The enforcer holding his revolver. Not the heavy barrel, which resembles that of a Colt New Service or long-barreled Colt Official Police.

Pistols

Colt Government Model

During the first few minutes of the film, a 1911 variant can be seen in Angel's desk. Based on the manufacturing proofs, this appears to be an early Colt Government Model at first glance, but upon closer inspection it appears that the proofs are on the wrong side of the gun. The large capital-lettered COLT can be seen on early Government Colts, but are on the right side (in relation to someone holding the pistol) of the slide. The gun in the film has the large COLT on the left side of the slide.

Pre-War Colt Government Model 1911 - .45 ACP. Note the location of the COLT manufacturing proofs.

The 1911 can be seen in Angel's desk drawer. COLT proofs similar to those of the Government model above can just barely be seen, but on the opposite side. Also note the worn finish (which appears to be blued), and that Angel appears to keep his gun in Condition 1 (round chambered, hammer cocked, safety on).