Mesrine: Killer Instinct

Mesrine: Killer Instinct is part 1 of a two-part 2008 French-Canadian "Mesrine" film series directed by Jean-François Richet and starring Vincent Cassel as the French criminal Jacques Mesrine. Based on Mesrine's autobiographical book "L'instinct de mort", Killer Instinct details Mesrine's rise in the Paris criminal underworld after serving in the army in Algeria, as well as his early exploits in Paris, and later in Quebec, Canada. Part 2 is known as Mesrine: Public Enemy Number 1.

Mesrine Poster

The following firearms were used in the film Mesrine: Killer Instinct:

Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

MAT-49

Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel) is shown using a MAT-49 submachine gun during his military service in Algeria.

MAT-49 submachinegun.

Mesrine is about to use this weapon to hit a prisoner during an interrogation during the war in Algeria.

The officer hands Mesrine his pistol to shoot the prisoner. The officer exchanges his pistol for the MAT-49

In Paris Mesrine is attacked by another gang, who shoot at him from a moving vehicle. It is difficult to tell what type of automatic weapon this is.

M1911 pistol

Mesrine uses a M1911 pistol to execute a prisoner in Algeria. Later, he acquires a nickel-plated M1911 in France that he uses for much of the movie.

Colt Government Model

Mesrine executes the prisoner, a turning point which convinces him that he could be a murderer not for the government, but for his own gain. Mesrine has an almost identical pistol upon his arrival back from in Paris, his new one seems to be nickle plated though, not blued like the one in this picture.

His own pistol is turned against him by his new boss, Guido (played by Gérard Depardieu) who lifted it from him when they hugged for the first time. This is the pistol that Mesrine uses throughout most of the rest of the movie.

12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun

Paul (Gilles Lellouche) steals a 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun from an apartment that he and Mesrine rob in Paris. Mesrine's partner in Quebec, Jean-Paul Mercier (Roy Dupuis), also carries a double barreled shotgun when he is confronted by two park rangers in the forest.

Generic Double Barrel Shotgun picture

Paul (played by Gilles Lellouche)finds an antique shotgun during their first robbery in Paris.

After pretending to be police officers they walk away from the scene of the crime.

In Canada, Mesrine and his new partner Jean-Paul (played by Roy Dupuis) murder two elderly Park Rangers. Jean-Paul uses a double barreled coachgun.

After expending his two rounds Jean-Paul uses his coachgun to bludgeon the Ranger to death.

Uzi

During the shootout at the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul prison in Quebec, Mesrine throws an Uzi submachine gun into the prison yard in an attempt to enable the prisoners to escape.

Uzi 9mm.

During the final shootout, Mesrine throws weapons into the prison yard to try and enable a breakout. Only one weapon makes it, this Uzi with extra mags attached.

Most of the actors show good weapon handling skills, though this prisoner shoots down the barrel.

Ruger Mini-14

Guards in the watchtowers at the prison are armed with Ruger Mini-14 rifles.

Standard Ruger Mini 14.

During the breakout attempt, most of the injuries and deaths are caused by the riflemen in the watchtowers armed with Mini 14s.

Winchester 1300

Most of the prison guards seem to be armed with Winchester 1300 shotguns. Later, two park rangers who come upon Mesrine and his accomplices in the forest are also armed with 1300s.

Winchester 1300 defender.

Winchester 1300.

Reloading during the battle - this looks like a Remington 870?

Shooting in the air to get all the prisoners on the deck.

Guards about to be blindsided by the prisoner with the Uzi...

The park rangers are armed with riot guns.

The park rangers are unaware who they are dealing with and dont shoulder their weapons. Jean-Paul is already reaching for his coachgun.

M16A2

Mesrine and his accomplice Jean-Paul Messier (Roy Dupuis) are armed with M16A2 rifles when they attack the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul prison. Their rifles have multiple magazines taped together and appear to have bayonet lugs despite having non-threaded barrels (similar to post-ban AR-15A2s).

M16A2.

Jean-Paul and with his M16A2.

File:MesrinesM16b.jpg

Mesrine firing his M16A2.

As the battle is quite long, the filmmakers take time to show both sides reloading which adds to the overall realism of the sequence.

Jean-Paul sustains a shoulder wound early in the battle and is unable to use his left arm.

Jean-Paul attempts to fire his M16A2 single handed, but his aim is ineffective as the rifle jumps around uncontrollably.

Unknown Revolvers

I am still trying to confirm these weapons - if anyone has any ideas please write below!

I will be updating this section (when I get back from the set! lol) am also doing some screencapping as well. These are ARIZONA sheriffs deputies but the scene takes place in Arches National park, which is in UTAH! There are tons of 'mistakes' made by these French Filmmakers! ;) And a lot of the guns are anachronistic to the period. MPM

During the bar-fight Mesrine pulls out a small revolver which he uses to shoot 1 of the thugs with twice. It is only seen very briefly, and only in this one scene. Anybody know this weapon?

File:Mesrineroadblock1.jpg

In the United States he is finally caught by Sheriffs who set up a roadblock. They carry a number of shotguns and revolvers.

File:Mesrineroadblock2.jpg

Close up of the Sheriffs revolver.

File:Mesrinesrevolver1.jpg

After they have been stopped by the roadblock, Mesrine's girlfriend reaches for a small revolver. He wisely disarms her and throws the weapon down into the floor of the car.

Jean-Paul target shooting.

Same scene as above.

Silenced Pistols

Guido uses a silenced pistol to kill a rival.

Same scene from above, different angle.

Later on, both Guido and Paul are killed by an assassin also armed with a silenced pistol.

Manufrance Rapid

Mesrine uses a French 12 Gauge slide-action Manufrance Rapid shotgun during the casino robbery. This hunting shotgun usually had an extended magazine. Its action is similar to that of the Remington 870 but it has an aluminum receiver. Sold in the USA during the 1970-s as La Salle Riot Gun.

The woman's shotgun is NOT the same as Mesrines'. The bolt, ejector hole shape and receiver pins are different. MPM

Sawed-off shotgun Rapid used in the Casino robbery in Paris.

Same weapon as above.

Same weapon as above.

His girlfriend Jeanette Schneider (Cécile De France) wields this riot-gun during the casino robbery.

Same weapon as above.

After escaping prison in Canada Mesrine and Jean-Paul go on a bank robbery spree. He is seen here carrying a pistol grip shotgun.

Mk 2 hand grenade

Mercier uses a Mk 2 hand grenade to destroy a police cruiser when he and Mesrine decide to abort the attack on the prison.

Mk 2 hand grenade.

Jean-Paul uses a grenade to destroy the police cruiser, allowing them to escape.

Same weapon as above.