The Somme (2005)

The Somme Movie Poster Country United Kingdom Directed by Carl Hindmarch Release Date November 15, 2005 Language English French German Main Cast Character Actor Captain Charlie May Ed Stoppard Sergeant Richard H Tawney Patrick Kennedy Franz Cassel Robert Cambrinus Eversmann Ralf Rueller General Rawlinson Ewan Stewart Barberon Jean-David Beroard German Gunner Adam Ganne

The Somme is a 2005 British produced documentary for Channel Four about the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The documentary tells the story of British, French and German soldiers during this battle. The focus is on the struggle for Ovillers and Mametz (Danzig Alley). In 2006 the BBC documentary The Somme – From Defeat to Victory describes the struggle of the northern village Thiepval.

The following weapons were used in the film The Somme:

Revolvers

Webley Mk. VI

The Webley Mk. VI revolver is used by some British officers including Capt. Charlie May (Ed Stoppard).

Webley Mk. VI - .455 Webley

Capt. May readies his Webley.

He takes cover with his revolver.

Nagant M1895

Lieutenant Alfred Bundy (William Beck) uses a revolver that resemble to a Nagant M1895.

Russian Nagant 1895, produced 1920s. The rounded front sight is a sign of revolvers produced from 1890s until 1930 - 7.62x38N

Lieutenant Bundy walks with revolver through No Man's Land.

He's pinned down on a crater.

Rifles

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III*

Some British soldiers use Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III* rifles. Pvt. Cyril Jose (Oliver Jones) is seen with one during basic training. Sergeant Tawney (Patrick Kennedy) is seen also with a Mk III* as he marches to the front.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III* - .303 British

Pvt. Jose stabs his bayonet into a sandbag during the drill.

Full view of his rifle.

British soldiers march with No. I Mk III*.

A Mk III* with fixed Pattern 1907 sword bayonet.

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I

British soldiers carry anachronistic Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I rifles with adapters to install Pattern 1907 sword bayonets from the No. I Mk III. The No. 4 Mk. I usually used a spike bayonet.

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I - .303 British

Close up on the adapter of a No. 4 Mk I.

Sergeant Richard H. Tawney (Patrick Kennedy) advanes with a SMLE through No Man's Land.

He chambers a round...

...and takes aim.

Capt. May's men fire their rifles.

Pvt. Burke (Nick Figgis) aims his rifle.

Front view of the scene.

He holds the No. 4 Mk I.

Persian Mauser 98/29

German soldiers use anachronistic VZ-98/29 Persian Mausers standing for correct Gewehr 98s.

Czech Persian Mauser 98/29 with bayonet - 7.92x57mm Mauser

German soldier Eversmann (Ralf Rueller) with his Mauser in the shelter.

Cassel's men in the background fire their Mauser rifles.

Eversmann aims his Mauser.

He works the bolt.

Berthier Mle 1916 Carbine

The Berthier Mle 1916 is used by French soldiers including Fraisse (David Bertrand) and Barberon (Jean-David Beroard).

Berthier Model 1916 Carabine - 8x50mm R

French soldiers fire their Berthiers.

Machine Guns

Lewis Gun

A Lewis Gun is held by a British soldier.

Lewis Gun - .303 British

The gunner is seen in the backrground.

The gunner marches with the Lewis.

Maxim MG 08

The Maxim MG08 is fired by German solders including Franz Cassel's (Robert Cambrinus) men.

Maxim MG08 on 'sledge' mount - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German holds the Maxim.

Close up of the trigger.

The German Gunner (Adam Ganne) aims the Maxim.

Rear view.

The Maxim being fired.

Handgrenades

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

German soldiers can briefly seen with stick grenades. They seem to be anachronistic Model 24 Stielhandgranate instead of accurate Model 15 or Model 16.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" high-explosive fragmentation hand grenade

A German soldier throws a Stick grenade behind Cassel.

A grenade next to him. Note there is no star-shaped plate screw cap like the Model 16.