The Somme (2005)

The Somme Movie Poster Country United Kingdom Directed by Carl Hindmarch Release Date November 15, 2005 Language English French German Studio Channel 4 Television Corporation Darlow Smithson Productions National Geographic Channel Distributor Channel 4 Television Corporation Main Cast Character Actor Capt. Charlie May Ed Stoppard Sgt. 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 and tells the story of British, French, and German soldiers during this battle. The focus is on the struggle for Ovillers and Mametz (Danzig Alley).

The 2006 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

Enfield No. 2

The Enfield No. 2 is anachronistically used by some British officers including Capt. Charlie May (Ed Stoppard), must likely standing in for the time period correct Webley Mk VI.

Enfield No. 2 Mark I - .38 S&W

Webley Mark VI - .455 Webley; for reference

Capt. May readies his Enfield.

He takes cover with his revolver.

Nagant M1895

Lieutenant Alfred Bundy (William Beck) uses a revolver that appears to be a Russian Nagant M1895.

Nagant 1895, produced 1920s - 7.62x38N

Lieutenant Bundy walks with his 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 an Mk III* as he marches to the front. The SMLE rifles are fitted with P07 sword and Persian Mauser bayonets.

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

Pvt. Jose stabs his bayonet into a sandbag during the drill. The bayonet's blade fits a correct P07.

Full view of his rifle.

British soldiers march with No. I Mk III*.

An Mk III* with fixed Persian 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 and Mauser bayonets. The No. 4 Mk. I usually used a spike bayonet.

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

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

Sergeant Richard H. Tawney (Patrick Kennedy) advances with an 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.

Mauser Puška vz. 98/29

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

Mauser Puška vz. 98/29 with vz. 23 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 Carabine

The Berthier Model 1916 Carabine 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 carried 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 soldiers including Franz Cassel's (Robert Cambrinus) men.

Maxim MG 08 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German gets the Maxim in position.

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

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

A German soldier behind Cassel throws a Stick grenade.

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