Diên Biên Phú

Diên Biên Phú Theatrical Release Poster Country France Directed by Pierre Schoendoerffer Release Date March 4, 1992 Language French Vietnamese Studio Flach Film Mod Films France 2 Cinéma Distributor AMLF Main Cast Character Actor Howard Simpson Donald Pleasence Capt. Jégu de Kerveguen Patrick Catalifo AFP employee Jean-François Balmer Béatrice Vergnes Ludmila Mikaël Lieutenant Brunbrouck Maxime Leroux Father Wamberger Raoul Billerey

Diên Biên Phú is a 1992 French war drama directed by Pierre Schoendoerffer. While the upscale French society indulges in its beautiful life in Hanoi, the Indochina war continues to come to a head. In the fortress of Diên Biên Phú, French and local soldiers continue to build it up to repel the Việt Minh onslaught, as planned by the French commander-in-chief, General Henri Navarre. As the film progresses, it tells how the French army unsuccessfully defied the Việt Minh onslaught during the 57-day battle. At the same time, the story of the people of Hanoi is portrayed in parallel, from ordinary Vietnamese hoping for liberation to French settlers fearful of Vietnamese independence.

The following weapons were used in the film Diên Biên Phú:

Pistols

Colt M1911A1

The Colt M1911A1 is used by Lieutenant Ky (Eric Do) against one of his soldiers.

Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP

Lieutenant Ky (Eric Do) threatens his soldier with his Colt M1911A1.

The Capitain Jegu de Kerveguen (Patrick Catalifo) gets in the plane, Colt M1911A1 pistol in his holster.

Rifles

M1 Carbine & M2 Carbine

The M1 Carbines and M2 Carbines are used by the French expeditionary corps in Diên Biên Phú. It is also used by Việt Minh soldiers.

M1 Carbine - .30 Carbine

On the right of the picture, M1 Carbine is seen on top of MAS-36.

M2 Carbine - .30 Carbine

French lieutenant holds his M2 Carbine.

M1A1 Carbine

M1A1 Carbine rifles are used by French paratroopers.

M1A1 Carbine - .30 Carbine

Lieutenant Ky (Eric Do) with his M1A1 Carbine.

French Paratrooper holding his M1A1 Carbine.

French Paratrooper holding his M1A1 Carbine in a trench.

MAS-36

The MAS-36 is the principal rifle in the French army during the Indochina war and in this film.

MAS-36 - 7.5x54mm

Lieutenant Brunbrouck (Maxime Leroux) lectures a soldier (MAS-36 on his back).

French paratrooper running with his MAS-36.

At the end of the battle, soldiers received the order to destroy their weapons.

MAS-36 CR 39

These weapons are used by a few French paratroopers in Diên Biên Phú.

MAS-36 CR 39 - 7.5x54mm

It's a MAS-36 with a metal cross folding.

MAS-36/51

Several French soldiers are also seen with MAS-36/51 rifles.

MAS-36/51 - 7.5x54mm French

M1 Garand

M1 Garand rifles are used by Việt Minh soldiers. Several French Paratroopers also armed these rifles.

M1 Garand .30-06

Viet Minh soldier slung M1 Garand over his back

Mosin Nagant Model 1944 Carbine

Some Việt Minh soldiers carry Mosin Nagant M1944 carbines.

Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine - 7.62x54mm R

A French soldier picks up a Mosin Nagant Model 1944 Carbine.

Submachine Guns

MAT-49

The MAT-49 is used by French soldiers.

MAT-49 - 9x19mm

French Paratrooper holds a MAT-49.

French Paratrooper holding his MAT-49 and he said "Come back".

The soldier in background holding a MAT-49.

PPSh-41

PPSh-41 submachine guns are used by Việt Minh soldiers against French Paratroopers.

PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Việt Minh soldiers charging French positions, PPSh-41 in their hands.

Việt Minh soldier escort the French prisoners with his PPSh-41.

Machine Guns

Chatellerault M1924/29

The French army used Chatellerault M1924/29 light machine gun in Indochina War and in this film.

Chatellerault M1924/29 - 7.5x54mm

Chatellerault M1924/29 ready to fire.

The soldier, in the foreground, concerns the shoulder a Chatellerault M1924/29.

"3 knocks of the theater".

Browning M1919A4

The French army uses the Browning M1919.

Browning M1919A4 - .30-06

French Paratrooper said "Come back" again, Browning M1919A4 is seen in the picture.

Fire of cover for Hugette 7.

A Legionary climb Dominique 2 with his Browning.

Browning M1919A4E1

Browning M1919A4E1 machine gun is seen mounted coaxial on the M41 Walker Bulldog tank.

Browning M1919A4E1 - .30-06 Springfield

Coaxial M1919A4E1 is seen on the M41 Walker Bulldog tank. Note that the T-shape muzzle brake of the 75mm cannon is removed.

Browning M2HB

Browning M2HB heavy machine gun is mounted on the M41 Walker Bulldog tank.

Browning M2 - .50 BMG

Browning M2 on the M41 Walker Bulldog tank.

Other Weapons

M2 Flamethrower

French troops use M2 Flamethrowers.

M2 Flamethrower

A soldier with flamethrower.

Reconquest of Dominique 1 .

Trivia

M101 howitzer

The M101 howitzer was used by the French army during the First Indochina War

M101 Howitzer - 105mm

A Howitzer 105 mm with an artilleryman colonial.

The provisioning falls on the artillery battery.

The Colonial Artillery Regiment open the fire on the Việt Minh troops.