Colonel Redl

Colonel Redl Original German Poster Country Hungary Austria Federal Republic of Germany Directed by István Szabó Release Date 1985 Language German Hungarian Studio MAFILM Objektiv Filmstudio Manfred Durniok Filmproduktion Mokep Main Cast Character Actor Col. Alfred Redl Klaus Maria Brandauer Maj. Gen. Von Roden Hans Christian Blech Archduke Franz Ferdinand Armin Mueller-Stahl Katalin Kubinyi Gudrun Landgrebe Col. Kristof Kubinyi Jan Niklas Alfredo Velocchio László Gálffi

Colonel Redl (German title Oberst Redl, Hungarian title Redl ezredes) is a 1985 Hungarian-Austrian historical drama directed by Hungarian director István Szabó. It stars Klaus Maria Brandauer as Alfred Redl, Colonel of the Austro-Hungarian army, the head of the counter-intelligence branch of the Austro-Hungarian General Staff who was exposed as the leading spy for Russian military intelligence and committed suicide in May 1913. Contrary to known events, the film shows Redl not a spy but a victim of a plot, instrumented by Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

The film won the BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1985. Same year it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and won the Jury Prize at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival.

The following weapons were used in the film Colonel Redl:

Pistols

Femaru 37M

In several scenes Alfred Redl (Klaus Maria Brandauer) holds anachronistic Femaru 37M pistol that is out of time for about 25 years.

Hungarian-issued Femaru 37M in 9 x 17mm Browning Short

Redl fires at a pack of rabid dogs on the night street of a small town in Galicia.

Redl holds his pistol in the scene of the conflict with Alfredo Velocchio (Laszlo Galffi).

Redl aims.

A view from the muzzle.

Redl committed suicide.

A good view of the pistol on the B&W promotional still.

Percussion Dueling Pistol

Percussion Dueling Pistols are used in the duel of Lt. Baron Kristof Kubinyi (Jan Niklas) and Lt. Jaromil Schorm (Károly Eperjes). They appear to be modern replicas of unknown manufacturer.

Modern replica of Lepage percussion dueling pistol.

Two pistols in box.

Lt. Kubinyi holds the pistol.

Lt. Schorm holds the pistol.

Closeup of a pistol.

Rifles

Mannlicher M1895 Short Rifle

In the scene of exercises Austro-Hungarian soldiers mostly hold short version of Mannlicher M1895 rifle. These rifles are most likely 1930s conversion of Austrian (M95/30) or Hungarian (M95/31) origin. All rifles are fitted with standard M95M bayonets.

Steyr M1895 Short Rifle (M1930 Conversion) - 8x56mmR Mannlicher

Mannlicher short rifle is seen at the left.

A good view of Mannlicher short rifle at the right.

Soldiers with Mannlicher short rifles in center and right.

A good view of the bayonet.

Mannlicher M1895 Carbine

Dragoons of Austro-Hungarian army carry Mannlicher M1895 Carbines. These carbines have sling swivels placed below stocks that allows to identify them as Stutzen carbines (Cavalry carbines had swivels placed on the side of stock).

Steyr Repertier-Stutzen M1895 - 8x50mmR Mannlicher

Carbines have typical feature of original M95s - stacking pins that protrudes forward on the left side of the rifle.

The position of sling swivels match Stutzen carbines.

Another view of the rifle.

FEG 35M

Some Hungarian FEG 35M rifles are also seen. These rifles are also fitted with M95M bayonets despite the standard bayonet for 35M differs in size and shape.

Hungarian FEG Puska 1935 Minta (35M) rifle - 8x56mmR Mannlicher

A soldier at the right holds 35M rifle, identified by the angular shape of the magazine.

35M rifle is seen at the left.

Other Weapons

Dummy Hand Grenade

In the scene of exercises Austro-Hungarian soldiers throw stick hand grenades. They bear resemblance with Austro-Hungarian Rohrhandgranate or German Stielhandgranate but are most likely generic mockups.

An example of German Stielhandgranate: Model 16

Trivia

Artillery

Austro-Hungarian artillery is seen in documentary footage of Great War.

8cm FK 05/08 field gun in action.

Siedge mortar, supposedly 42cm M16.

Hungarian Poster