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Gardens of Stone

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
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Gardens of Stone
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Movie Poster
Country Flag of the United States.jpg United States
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Release Date 1987
Language English
Studio American Zoetrope
Distributor TriStar Pictures
Main Cast
Character Actor
Sergeant First Class Clell Hazard James Caan
Sergeant Major "Goody" Nelson James Earl Jones
Specialist Jack "Jackie" Willow D.B. Sweeney
Captain Homer Thomas Dean Stockwell
Specialist Pete Deveber Elias Koteas
Sergeant Flanagan Laurence Fishburne
Sergeant Albert Wildman Casey Siemaszko
Rachel Fields Mary Stuart Masterson
Samantha Davis Anjelica Huston
First Lieutenant Webber Sam Bottoms



Gardens of Stone is a 1987 Vietnam War-era drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Unlike the many other Vietnam War movies that were released in the mid-1980's, this film focused on how the war affected the troops stationed in the United States. In this case the soldiers of the famed 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). The 3rd Infantry is the ceremonial unit that guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, conducts burial services at Arlington National Cemetery as well as other ceremonial functions. Unfortunately the release date for the film was sandwiched between Platoon and Full Metal Jacket and was overlooked. The movie was filmed on location in Washington D.C. with the full cooperation of the U.S. Army in the summer of 1986. Many of the soldiers were actual 3rd Infantry. The film's cast included James Caan, James Earl Jones, D.B. Sweeney, and former Apocalypse Now cast members Sam Bottoms and Laurence Fishburne (who made his feature debut at 14 in that film).


The following weapons were used in the film Gardens of Stone:


M1911A1

Sergeant First Class Hazard (James Caan) carries the M1911A1 during the F.T.X. (Field Training Exercise).

World War II issued Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP
Pvt. Wildman (Casey Siemaszko) is too noisy and blundering during the F.T.X. He trips a flare and SFC Hazard (James Caan) shows him the possible consequences of being such a klutz.
Willow (D.B. Sweeney) and SFC Hazard (James Caan) prepare to capture a sleeping officer during the F.T.X.

M14 Rifle

Though the M16A1 was being issued by 1968, the M14 was still being used by the 3rd Infantry in Washington D.C, both for ceremonial functions as well as its battle rifle. The M14 is still issued to soldiers assigned to the Old Guard.

M14 rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO
Old Guard soldiers render the 3-volley salute at a funeral.
SFC Hazard (James Caan) leads his platoon.To his left his Sgt Flanagan (Laurence Fishburne).
Specialist Willow (D.B. Sweeney) and Pvt. Wildman (Casey Siemaszko).
Sgt. Flanagan (Laurence Fishburne) with his M14 during a Field Training Exercise. .
Specialist Willow (D.B. Sweeney) during the F.T.X.

M16A1

The M16A1 is seen briefly in a television newscast of fighting in South Vietnam.

M16A1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm.
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Charleville Musket

The soldiers of the Continental Color Guard are seen carrying the Charleville Musket.

Original Charleville Mle 1766 - .69 caliber
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M60 Machine Gun

The M60 Machine Gun appears briefly during the Field Training Exercise sequence. It is carried by Pvt. Wildman (Casey Siemaszko)

M60 machine gun with bipod folded - 7.62x51mm NATO
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