The Eye of the Monocle (L'oeil du monocle)

The Eye of the Monocle (L'oeil du monocle) Original Theatrical Poster Country France Directed by Georges Lautner Release Date 1962 Language French German Russian Studio Les Films Borderie Orex Films Distributor Pathe Consortium Cinema Main Cast Character Actor Commandant (Maj.) Théobald Dromard alias "The Monocle" Paul Meurisse Diana Gaia Germani Poussin Robert Dalban Erika Murger Elga Andersen Matlov Charles Millot Schlumpf Paul Mercey Bob Dugoinneau Raymond Meunier Martigue Maurice Biraud Archiloque Henri Cogan Major Cyring Richard Larke

The Eye of the Monocle (L'oeil du monocle) is a 1962 French B&W adventure comedy directed by Georges Lautner and starring Paul Meurisse, Gaia Germani and Elga Andersen. In September 1943 a cargo of Nazi archives and gold was submerged off Corsica by a German frogmen unit. Eighteen years later, the sole survivor Hektor Schlumpf returns to Corsica to get the treasure. The French secret service enter into a contract with Schlumpf and send Théobald Dromard alias "The Monocle" (Meurisse) to protect him from the British and Soviet agents who are also on the hunt for the precious wartime documents.

The movie is the second in the trilogy about the adventures of "The Monocle", preceeded by The Black Monocle (Le Monocle noir) (1961) and followed by The Monocle Laughs (Le Monocle rit jaune) (1964).

The following weapons were used in the film The Eye of the Monocle (L'oeil du monocle):
WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Pistols

M1911A1

The secret agent of the French military intelligence service, Commandant (Maj.) Théobald Dromard alias "The Monocle" (Paul Meurisse) carries an M1911A1 pistol.

World War II Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP. This was an issued U.S. Army pistol with parkerized finish, thus the official designation of M1911A1

Dromard blows off the smoke of the barrel of his discharged pistol.

Dromard holds his pistol in the scene in Martigue's workshop.

Dromard in shootout with Matlov's men.

Dromard holds the pistol in the final scene.

Luger P08

In the opening scene, set in 1943, a German officer (cameo of film director Georges Lautner) holds a Luger P08. Schlumpf (Paul Mercey), Major Cyring (Richard Larke), Archiloque (Henri Cogan), Archiloque's and Matlov's men use Lugers in several scenes.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm.

A German officer draws his Luger.

He kills another officer who was in charge for the hiding of the treasure.

Schlumpf carries a Luger tucked into his belt.

One of Matlov's men fires a Luger at Dromard but is gunned down by return fire.

Schlumpf holds a Luger.

A close-up of Archiloque's pistol.

Archiloque threatens Erica.

Archiloque's man fires a Luger during the shootout in the restaurant.

Luger LP08 "Artillery"

Dromard's aide Poussin (Robert Dalban) carries a Luger LP08 "Artillery" pistol. Archiloque's henchman (Michel Duplaix) uses an "Artillery" Luger in the shootout in the restaurant.

Luger LP08 "Artillery" model - 9x19mm

Poussin kills Matlov's man.

Archiloque's henchman fires an "Artillery" Luger.

Poussin holds his pistol during the shootout in the restaurant.

Mauser C96

During the shootout in the restaurant Matlov (Charles Millot) and Archiloque (Henri Cogan) fire Mauser C96 pistols.

Mauser C96 "Pre-War Commercial" - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Matlov fires his Mauser C96.

Archiloque fires his Mauser C96.

Beretta M1934

One of Matlov's men holds a Beretta M1934 in several scenes.

Beretta M1934 - .380 ACP

Matlov's man fires his pistol at Schlumpf.

Same man confronts Poussin.

Submachine Guns

MP40

In the opening scene one of the German soldiers carries an MP40. Matlov's men use MP40s in several scenes.

MP40 - 9x19mm

A German soldier with MP40 in the opening scene.

One Matlov's men fires an MP40 during the shootout in Martigue's workshop.

MAT-49

French Foreign Legion soldiers on parade carry MAT-49 SMGs.

MAT-49 - 9x19mm

A Legionnaire carries a MAT-49.

Rifles

Mauser 98 Sporter

Archiloque (Henri Cogan) and his henchman (Michel Duplaix) use a Mauser 98 Sporter rifle with sniper scope in an attempt on Dromard.

Mauser 98 Sporter with scope - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The henchman with the rifle.

He aims.

Archiloque takes the rifle.

The double trigger set is a frequent feature of Mauser Sporter rifles.

Karabiner 98k

In the opening scene several German soldiers are armed with Karabiner 98k rifles.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser. Manufactured in Germany, 1937.

Soldiers on the boat hold Kar 98k rifles.

Soldiers fall under gunfire.

Karabiner 98k rifles next the killed soldiers.

Mauser rifle

At least one of the Mauser rifles of the German soldiers is not a 98k but some different model, with straight bolt handle. Vz. 24 Czech Mauser is a possible guess but the barrel is seen only partially, and it's impossible to make a strict identification.

For comparison: Czech vz. 24 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

One of the rifles of the killed soldiers has a straight bolt handle.

MAS-49/56

French Foreign Legion soldiers on parade carry MAS-49/56 rifles with bayonets.

MAS-49/56 - 7.5x54mm French

Machine Guns

MG42

In the opening scene German soldiers use an MG42 machine gun with AA sights.

MG42 with sling and bipod collapsed - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The machine gun fires.

The MG42 on position.

The MG42 fires at attacking airplanes.

Footage

Airplanes

A Focke-Wulf FW 190 fighter plane is seen is the wartime footage. The standard armament of FW 190 consists of four 20 mm MG 151 autocannons and two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns.

An unknown machine gun in ventral mounting.

A Martin B-26 Marauder bomber.

Navy

Ships of the Marine nationale francaise in Toulon. Arromanches aircraft carrier is seen at the foreground left.

D622 Kersaint destroyer, P642 L'Opiniatre coastal patrol vessel, and an unknown submarine. Twin 5" main gun and 57mm twin AA gun are seen on Kersaint. L'Opiniatre is armed with two single Bofors 40mm.