Life Is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

Life Is Beautiful (Italian: La vita è bella) is a very touching 1997 film about a writer named Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni) and his family being sent to a concentration camp during last years of World War II (1944-1945). Part of the film was based on Benigni's own family during the war where his father had survived three years in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in modern day Lower Saxony. However Bergen-Belsen was liberated by the British 11th Armored Division while the camp in the film was liberated by Americans. The film was well received, was a financial success, and won the Best Music, Original Dramatic Score, Best Foreign Language Film, Directing, Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture awards at the 71st Academy Awards. Despite this, the film has also received some criticism for what some call "misplaced humor".

The following weapons were used in the film Life Is Beautiful:

Submachine Guns

MP38

What appear to be MP38 submachine guns are seen with some German soldiers.

MP38 - 9x19mm

A German soldier with an MP38 as he directs Jews into the train car.

MP40

The MP40 is used by some of the guards.

MP40 - 9x19mm

A German soldier with an MP40.

A soldier aims his MP40.

Rifles

Karabiner 98k

Wehrmacht soldiers carry Karabiner 98k rifles.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Werhmact soldiers march down a street with their Karabiner 98k rifles slung.

German soldiers in the back of a truck with their Karabiner 98k rifles.

M1 Garand

US soldiers liberating the camp carry M1 Garands.

M1 Garand - .30-06

US soldiers in the background with M1 Garand rifles.

VZ-24 Czech Mauser

A camp guard uses what appears to be a VZ-24 Czech Mauser.

Czech vz. 24 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A guard keeps Guido away from his wife by blocking him in with his VZ-24 Czech Mauser rifle.

Machine Guns

Browning M2

An American M4 Sherman tank part of the liberation force has a Browning M2 mounted on it.

Browning M2 on vehicle mount - .50 BMG

A M4 Sherman tank rides up to Joshua with its mounted M2 Browning.

A look at the Browning as a crewman opens up the hatch.

A look at the M2 from Joshua's POV (a bit of a brick joke here as Joshua's father said he would "win" a real tank. Though he didn't win the one the crewmen allowed him to ride in it after the camp's liberation). Note the M5 anti-tank gun up front.

A final look at the .50 Cal as Joshua scans the crowd of saved prisoners for his mother.

Browning M1919A4

The M4 Sherman that arrives at the camp also has coaxial Browning M1919A4s.

Browning M1919A4 - .30-06 Springfield

A M4 Sherman tank rides up to Joshua with its mounted M2 Browning and its coaxial Browning M1919A4s.

Trivia

Joshua's Toy Tank

Interestingly, Joshua's (Giorgio Cantarini) toy tank is modeled after a Panzer IV.

Joshua's toy Panzer IV.