Ask the Dead About the Price of Death (Surma hinda küsi surnutelt)

Ask the Dead About the Price of Death (Surma hinda küsi surnutelt) Original Russian Theatrical Poster Country USSR Directed by Kaljo Kiisk Release Date 1977 Language Estonian Studio Tallinnfilm Main Cast Character Actor Anton Sommer Juozas Kiselius Bruno Gediminas Girdvainis Ester Maria Klenskaja Dora Elle Kull "The Nameless" Enn Kraam The investigator Kalju Komissarov Minister of Police Mikk Mikiver

Ask the Dead About the Price of Death (Estonian title Surma hinda küsi surnutelt, Russian title Tsenu smerti sprosi u myortvykh) is a Soviet Estonian 1977 historical drama directed by Kaljo Kiisk. The story is set in Tallinn in 1925. Estonian Communist Anton Sommer (Juozas Kiselius), one of the leaders of failed Communist uprising of 1924, is arrested and sentenced to death. Sommer's friend of youth Bruno (Gediminas Girdvainis) visits him with an offer from the authorities: Sommer will live if he writes a book about the meaninglessness of the actions of the Communists. Despite all admonitions, Sommer refuses.

The following weapons were used in the film Ask the Dead About the Price of Death (Surma hinda küsi surnutelt):

Handguns

Walther PPK

When Communist Ester (Maria Klenskaja) comes to Dora (Elle Kull), she is armed with an anachronistic Walther PPK.

Walther PPK - 9x17mm (.380 ACP)

Ester enters Dora's room.

Another view of the pistol.

Ester aims the pistol at Dora.

The hammer spur is seen.

Another view of the pistol.

Baby Browning

Later in the same scene, Ester's pistol switches to equally anachronistic Baby Browning.

Baby Browning - .25 ACP

The rear sight of the pistol is seen.

Ester aims the pistol at Dora's visitor.

A side view of the pistol. A small pin, protruding from the rear of the frame, is not a hammer spur but a cocking indicator. Its position shows that the pistol is really loaded.

Another view of the pistol. The general shape with the raised rear sight is seen better.

Mauser C96

Agents-provocateurs of Estonian Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseiamet or KaPo) "A" (Rudolf Allabert) and "B" (Robert Gutman) use Mauser C96 pistols with attached holster-stocks when they kill Sommer who was allegedly released from prison.

C96 "Broomhandle" Mauser fitted with holster/stock combo - 7.63x25mm Mauser

A close-up of the Mauser. The adjustable tangent iron sight is seen perfectly.

Agent "A" fires at a car, transporting Sommer.

Agent "B" holds his Mauser.

Agent "B" aims.

Agent "A" fires. A spent brass can be seen in midair.

Both agents with Mauser pistols. Attached holster-stocks are seen.

A Mauser in holster is seen in hands of agent "B".

Agent "B" (Robert Gutman) on a promotion still.

Walther P38

After the assassination of Sommer agents "A" and "B" are in turn killed by other KaPo agents, one of which is armed with out of time Walther P38.

Walther P38 - 9x19mm

Agent in police uniform fires a P38.

The uniformed agent holds the P38 in hand.

Nagant M1895

During the assassination of agents "A" and "B" the second murderer is armed with a Nagant M1895 revolver.

Nagant M1895 Revolver - 7.62x38R Nagant. Note the angular front sight which was used from 1930s.

The plainclothes agent fires at "A" and "B".

Agent with Nagant in hand stands over dead Sommer.

Trivia

Holsters

Members of Tallinn Court-martial carry holsters for TT-33 pistols. The holsters are definitely empty.

Armour

Red Army Austin armoured car is seen during the International Workers' Day demonstration in Leningrad. The armoured car appears to be a modern replica, without armaments in turrets.