MOVIE NEWS – Gunsmith Mike Burch defends the controversial decision to use live ammunition on the set of Reveille after the Rust tragedy.

At a time when real guns and live ammunition are being banned from most film and television productions, gun operator Mike Burch is making a splash in the industry by taking the opposite route on the set of the upcoming World War II drama Reveille. Of course, the idea of deliberately using live ammunition on a film set is extremely controversial, given what happened to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rozsda 2021. Still, Burch and writer-director Michael Akkerman made the decision to use live ammunition on the set of Reveille, though they insist it was done so under strict safety protocols and under the supervision of a weapons operator, along with costume consultants Brian McCallion and Samuel Niles.

“Michael Akkerman and I debated a lot about whether to use blanks or live rounds on set for a sense of realism,” Burch explains in a statement. “There were a lot of questions, rightly so, but in the end the actors gave their consent and were free to use live ammunition for certain shots. When the word ‘cut’ was said, we went to each actor individually and, apart from turning on the safety, instructed them not to move , until me, Brian and Samuel cleared the firearm”.”

The master-at-arms added: “It was a bit nerve-wracking to be honest, but everyone cooperated flawlessly to ensure that the firearms were cleared by at least three people before the actors got off the ground. Safety was our number one concern, and this was done in accordance with the basic rules of handling firearms. we were able to reach”.”

Reveille is inspired by real events. The film is described as a historically accurate depiction of World War II, as Akkerman, along with Footstep Researchers Myra Miller PhD, used archival documents and interviews with family members of World War II survivors. Based on this, he wrote a drama that “takes the audience on a visceral journey where nationality and loyalty blur and the rules of war are tested in an unprecedented way.”

According to the synopsis, the film is “set in 1943, when an American squad engages in skirmishes with German soldiers along the Winter Line in central Italy. When artillery shells begin to rain down, the Americans must respect the rules of war and protect their wounded prisoners.” Huddled in a cave and forced to see the enemy as human, the soldiers grapple with unimaginable moral questions that transcend the boundaries of nationality and loyalty.”

Real guns and live ammunition are banned from most movie sets

Other filmmakers also keep guns and live ammunition away from filming locations. This includes Guy Ritchie, who used airsoft guns for his latest film, The Covenant. Speaking to Newsweek, Ritchie called the gun ban a “relief” and admitted that he never liked bringing guns on set.

“I’ve never, ever liked real firearms,” the director said. “I had no idea why we were still in the business with real firearms. It was one of those things that everyone was doing, and it’s a huge relief … to not have that sword hanging over us anymore.”

Reveille will be released on Friday, August 4, 2023 in digital and VOD formats.

Source: Movieweb