Top Ten Gun Movies

[IndyFlyer]

Good article in the May 2006 'Guns and Ammo' magazine titled 'Shooting Script'. The resident arms historian rates his top ten out of thousands from his viewing. They were chosen due to a firearm being used to advance the plot, the way an actor handled a gun, or when a filmaker went out of his way to ensure that a period or locale was appropriate. You'll have to give it a read at your local magazine rack as an internet link is not available. Grab it before the June issue takes over. Good firearm summaries for each title, here is the list, in no particular order:

Battleground-1949
Enemy at the Gates-2001
The Four Feathers-1939
The Last Hunt-1956
The Mummy-1999
Prizoner of Zenda-1937
The Sand Pebbles-1966
Unconquered-1947
The Wind and the Lion-1975
Zulu-1964

[J_Weaver]

I'm surprised that Dirty Harry didn't make the list. Because of that movie the world went .44 mag crazy. S&W couldn't make model 29's fast enough.

Thanks for posting!

[Indy45]

IndyFlyer,

Neat post - I'll look for that G&A issue.

When I saw the topic I immediately thought of Die Hard I and II; now THAT was effective movie use of firearms.

Other movies I'd add to the list (not necessarily for gun historical or handling accuracy, just for cool) are:
- True Lies
- Band of Brothers
- The Professionals
- The Magnificent 7
- Quigley Down Under
- Silverado

Regards,
Indy45

[IndyFlyer]

I initially thought the same regarding 'Dirty Harry' and how it gave new life to the Model 29, and the author actually mentioned DH in his conclusion, along with a few others, and how there were scores of movies that he would like to have included. I'm sure it'll be addressed in the 'letters to the editor' section in the months to follow. Nice additions from Indy45 as well. The article is worth a read, brief but informative write ups related to firearms on each of the selected movies. It'll make you want to watch them all for sure!

[Terryhimself]

I would have to throw last man standing in the pot. Whenever I get home sick to see a man and his pet .45's in action, this will do the job!

[JAN]

It looks as "Bowling for Columbine" didn´t make the list - pretty authentic I´d say...

Best regards

JAN

[Bufflehead Jones]

I am afraid that I don't think much of the guys list. I have to agree with my friend J Weaver. He left off the number one gun movie of all time in Dirty Harry. Heck, one of the sequels was called Magnum Force. How can you think of Dirty Harry, and not think of the .44 magnum.

I don't know how a gun could possibly advance the plot more than this. "hut! I know what you're thinkin' punk. You're thinkin' did he fire six shots or only five. Now to tell you the truth, I forgot myself in all of this excitement. But bein' this is a .44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and will blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question. Do I feel lucky? Well, do 'ya, punk?" (sadistic laugh while lunging for the gun) BOOOOOM!....Splash.

The main character uses this dialog two times in the movie, once in the beginning and once at the end. In between, the gun becomes almost a character in the film, moreso, than in any other movie that I can think of, off the top of my head. Heck, I always thought that the inspiration for Dirty Harry Callahan, was me, early in my carreer.

[Erri]

Maybe The Matrix (the first one) might be considered... no?

It looks as "Bowling for Columbine" didn´t make the list - pretty authentic I´d say...

Best regards

JAN

ow well... touché

[Andiana]

I think that Terminator 2 should be added to the list as well.

[Dutch_jones]

face/off.

and

desperado

once upon a time in mexico

ehm
... thats it for now

[Luisiana Jones]

I thought Enemy at the gates was a belic/war film more than a gun film. uhm...

[pigirondan]

Last Man Standing.

[Michaelson]

My opinion? "Last of the Mohicans" with Daniel Day Lewis...if you're talking about firearms and the handling there of...followed closely by "Quigley Down Under". Why? The actors actually took months of hands on lessons with firearms experts until they were proficient with the rifles they used. Lewis even ate and slept with his 15 pound flintlock rifle every waking minute, day in and day out, as he prepared to film "LofM" so it would appear to be just an extension of the character. Next time you get to watch this movie, take note of his handling of that long rifle in all his scenes....especially his correct loading of the rifle at a full run uphill in the mountains! It exhausts me everytime I see it. It is correct in every detail, and yet it goes on so smoothly in the scene, you really don't notice him doing it.

Selleck did the same with his rifle in "Quigley", and he actually purchased and still OWNS the Sharps rifle he used in the movie. From the article I read at the time, he became quite a marksman with that monster, so his was not exactly a 'performance' per se. He KNEW what to expect from his rifle, and was true to the depiction on screen. Though all 'make believe', that Sharps was and is more than capable to fire those accurate long range shots, and Selleck knew it from first hand experience. It shows in his performance in the way he handled the firearm.

That's what I appreciate in watching a true craftsman work....and Lewis and Selleck ARE true craftsmen in the art of movie making and character creation, and this expert handling of a mechanical devise is just a small example of that craftsmanship. It's all going on right in front of you, and yet you don't even notice it. THAT'S why it's a 'craft'....the ACTORS know it, and want it to BE correct to the point that it just looks natural.

Sorry for the ramble....

Regards! Michaelson

[J_Weaver]

Good post Michealson! Many movies, (Last Man Standing, The Matrix Terminator, etc) Are shoot 'em ups that are way off base when it comes to handling and use. Its always nice to see a film that goes the extra mile to get things right.