View Full Version : Leicas in movies
Yesterday I saw the movie "Blood Diamond" from 2006. One of the characters (Jeniffer Connelly) is an American activist journalist in Africa in 1998.
She uses a camera that looks like a Leica M6. The camera even has a lens with a rectangular hood attached to it.
However It seems that the sound effects guy did not bother to record the Leica shutter noise, and used a standard "camera shutter effect". So, the camera looks like a Leica but definitely doesn't sound like one :rolleyes:
Anyone remembers other movies featuring Leicas?
Spy Game, Brad Pitt's seen toting a pair of Leicas, an M6 and an M4-P or two M6's, I can't tell.
http://photo.net/bboard-uploads/00CTgb-24014984.jpg
Bavaricus
08-21-2007, 08:06
Anyone remembers other movies featuring Leicas?
CLOSER with Julia Roberts as photographer
Scarlett Johansson in her next movie by Woodie Allen
markinlondon
08-21-2007, 08:37
Try this list for a fairly comprehensive Leica spotting roundup.
http://nemeng.com/leica/005ea.shtml
So, the camera looks like a Leica but definitely doesn't sound like one :rolleyes:
And, she takes way too much time to focus (I'm thinking about the scene in which she's interviewing a soldier) for being a photojournalist...
(not important, but remarking this instead of just admiring Jenny's lovely face made me earn a strange look from my girl... "homo-camera-erotic!" she said...:D)
Leicas were common in the cinema of the 1950s and 1960s, as were Rollei TLRs and press cameras.
BillBlackwell
08-21-2007, 13:14
In Blood Diamond, sound notwithstanding, Jennifer uses a Leica M6 and a 4th version 35mm Summicron (Canadian).
erikhaugsby
08-21-2007, 13:34
Leicas were common in the cinema of the 1950s and 1960s, as were Rollei TLRs and press cameras.
A Rolleiflex is used for candid group portraits in the opening scene of Good Night, and Good Luck
SolaresLarrave
08-21-2007, 13:44
There's an M6 in the movie Big Fish, with Billy Crudup and Albert Finney. It's also in the hands of another fictional photojournalist...
Actually, Brad Pitt is known to be a big Leica fan and user. He probably selected the cameras for the movie.
Vincenzo Maielli
09-19-2007, 09:40
A Leica M6 was used in the Palermo railway station scene for the "God Father III" movie, a Leica III C (i believe) in "Mogambo", a Leica M4 (near a couple of Nikon F and F2) in "Under Fire", a Leica Minilux in "One Our Photo", a Leica R6 in "Before the rain".
Ciao.
Vincenzo
Mr_Flibble
09-19-2007, 09:55
In an episode of "'Allo 'Allo" I saw recently, no idea which one, the German colonel takes a picture of the painting of the "Fallen Madonna with the big boobies" by Van Klump with a screwmount Leica, with synchronized flash unit.
In Blood Diamond, sound notwithstanding, Jennifer uses a Leica M6 and a 4th version 35mm Summicron (Canadian).
Canadian you say, what makes you say it's a Canadian? :confused:
Spy Game, Brad Pitt's seen toting a pair of Leicas, an M6 and an M4-P or two M6's, I can't tell.
I can, two M6's
BillBlackwell
09-19-2007, 10:08
Canadian you say, what makes you say it's a Canadian? :confused:
Because a close inspection of the lens on her M6 reads "Made In Canada." The lens barrel design indicates it's a v4 Summicron.
Maya Sansa in "La meglio gioventů" (badly translated as "The best of youth") uses a Leica M4 in the last episode.
Because a close inspection of the lens on her M6 reads "Made In Canada." The lens barrel design indicates it's a v4 Summicron.
Aha, still gotta see the movie. Will be looking for that bit. Thanks!
Never Satisfied
09-19-2007, 12:17
Nick NOLTE in Under Fire sporting a M4??? and a 35mm 'Cron. Andrew.
xayraa33
09-19-2007, 12:44
Charles Bronson in his" A Man With A Camera" series, 1958 to 1960.
Bronson was Mike Kovac, a Leica M3 toting photographer.
iridium7777
09-19-2007, 12:55
ahh.. the worst movie ever... don't know the name :bang: a family in an excursion get lost somewhere in the desert and find a little town where everyone just dissapeared one day in '40's... the kid is using an m6, with some excellent sounds added for when he takes the pictures. i also think in the movie it shows up as a zoom lens :D:D
anyone know the movie?
I'm pretty sure Werner used a Leica of some sort (Barnack possibly?) in Das Boot.
A truly amazing film, too.
ZorkiKat
09-19-2007, 19:50
"Aimee & Jaguar", a German artfilm from 1999. Shows many Leicas in action. Including accessories like the add-on delayed release and baseplate-attached flash gun. It's one of the movies I've seen where Leica are shown accurately in terms of time (III or IIIa, none of the later models) or use. Many scenes showing the actors focusing, viewing and even winding the delayed release in the proper "Leica" way.
In contrast, one scene in another movie, "Surviving Picasso" (there are actually at least 2 scenes where a Leica figured) set during the Liberation of Paris in WWII showed a photoreporter with a Leica. But problem is, his Leica had a CEYOO flash gun on it,- and this accessory was introduced around 1950.
Another film where Leicas and other vintage cameras figure is "A Month By the Lake".
Jay
Mr_Flibble
09-19-2007, 22:23
I'm pretty sure Werner used a Leica of some sort (Barnack possibly?) in Das Boot.
Buchheim wrote 'Das Boot' from his own experiences as a photographer on board of U96 during WW2. He himself used a Leica (that eventually got so encrusted with salt it had to be taken apart and fixed by one of the ships mechanics). His book "U-boat War" contains a good number of the 6000 photos he shot.
He died in February this year by the way.
jeffmatsler
09-19-2007, 22:39
In Chinatown and The Two Jakes, Jack Nicholson sports a Leica III series camera.
etrigan63
09-19-2007, 22:53
Josh Lucas in the 2005 film Stealth uses a Leica M7 with a 35mm 'Lux when he is on shore leave with Jessica Biel.
czamagni
09-20-2007, 02:08
In "La terra vista dalla luna", by Pier Paolo Pasolini (1966), there are a couple of two strange tourists (he is short and fat, she is tall and thin) that walk around shooting pictures. One of their cameras is a screw mount Leica, if I've correctly spotted it.
Regards.
The latest Woddy Allen movie "Vicky Christina Barcelona" features Penelope Cruz using a M7 (my guess) and recommending it to her co-character instead of the digital camera she's using ...
What was the camera Jimmy Stewart used in Rear Window. Could it have been a leica with Visoflex?
Vic
Penélope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Photo: Weinstein Company
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=67409&stc=1&d=1233978995
Penélope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Photo: Weinstein Company
This was a great movie and she was ridiculous hot in the movie.
I wnet and seen Coraline tonight. Last thing I expected was an M in a stop animation movie. Even better was that they even got the M3 style frame lines right (I think) when they did the through the lens point of view.
ZeissFan
02-06-2009, 20:27
In a Starsky and Hutch episode (TV series), a guy on the street is holding an Argus C-3. That's an American Leica, I think.
The Mission Impossible series used the Retina Reflex III frequently and occasionally a Rolleiflex. A couple of the early James Bond movies used a Rolleiflex.
I have to confess that I can't recall seeing a movie that involved a Leica.
tmfabian
02-06-2009, 20:36
some new sandra bullock movie....during the commercial, this was the only part i noticed.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_O0rlnmu8Iu4/SWeckxI1DjI/AAAAAAAABd0/B6i6zDdBxG0/s400/Picture%201.png
Noserider
02-06-2009, 20:52
Teen sex comedy "Eurotrip" has one character with an M7, proudly displayed and described, and while in Amsterdam at a camera shop the cute female camera store clerk notices and admires the Leica and then takes him out back, wink wink. He later pawns the camera to help his friends continue the trip. I know, TOTAL Fiction. I'd never pawn a Leica, but it has helped with the ladies...
BTMarcais
02-06-2009, 22:13
What was the camera Jimmy Stewart used in Rear Window. Could it have been a leica with Visoflex?
Vic
It was an Exacta I think...
telenous
02-06-2009, 23:42
It was an Exacta I think...
The Exacta logo was blacked out (more stealthy? :D) but you can actually make out it's the model with left-hand shutter release (and wind-on, I think). Hitchcock actually used a dummy camera made from cardboard. Ditto for the long lens.
BTW, I 've read many times (but don't know if true), the story between Stewart's and Kelly's characters is loosely based on Robert Capa and Hitchcock's friend, Ingrid Bergman.
Great film. If only Jimmy Stewart were using a Visoflex, ah, can't have all :D
nitrogen28
02-07-2009, 01:01
Penélope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Photo: Weinstein Company
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=67409&stc=1&d=1233978995
Here some more information why Scarlett and Penelope are using a Leica.
http://www.imaginginfo.com/web/online/News/Leica-Honors-Films-Woody-Allen-With-Special-Camera/3$4411
Penélope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Photo: Weinstein Company
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=67409&stc=1&d=1233978995
SWOONS!!!!:)
Buchheim wrote 'Das Boot' from his own experiences as a photographer on board of U96 during WW2. He himself used a Leica (that eventually got so encrusted with salt it had to be taken apart and fixed by one of the ships mechanics). His book "U-boat War" contains a good number of the 6000 photos he shot.
He died in February this year by the way.
In the movie Lt Werner possibly uses a Leica III, and since the action is during late 41, possibly a IIIa or b or c! From all the times I saw the director's and the uncut version I never manage to pin'point the exact model. And the caracter was luck that, that oiled rag didn't hit him when he was taking the photos...
(scene that in real life would happend).
By the way, what king of "ISO" he is using? Since his taking photos on the tower and latter in the forward compartmen.
The latest Woddy Allen movie "Vicky Christina Barcelona" features Penelope Cruz using a M7 (my guess) and recommending it to her co-character instead of the digital camera she's using ...
It's a M6 ;)
Robin Harrison
02-23-2009, 03:29
It's a M6 ;)
I just saw the movie yesterday.
An M6 was my guess too. But what about the lens? The chrome looked to shiny for a Leica lens. I was thinking maybe a Canon LTM 50?
Robin Harrison
02-23-2009, 03:31
I just saw the movie yesterday.
An M6 was my guess too. But what about the lens? The chrome looked to shiny for a Leica lens. I was thinking maybe a Canon LTM 50?
For bonus points...are there any other Leicas belonging to Oscar winning characters? I see Ms. Cruz picked up the gong for her firery but relatively brief performance!
Florian1234
02-25-2009, 11:31
In "Simone" from 2002 one guy has a black Leica, either M6 or M7.:)
I'm just watching it on German tv.
There are quite a few. But the one that always jumps first to my mind is Godfather 3 perhaps because unlike other films you actually get to see a Leica M sitting on a bedside up close. (Gosh we really ARE a pathetic bunch aren't we :^) )
pesphoto
02-25-2009, 12:01
High Art...for it's Leica's and...ally sheedy
Brad Maestas
08-23-2009, 09:47
Spy Game, Brad Pitt's seen toting a pair of Leicas, an M6 and an M4-P or two M6's, I can't tell.
http://photo.net/bboard-uploads/00CTgb-24014984.jpg
I have loaded up my Netflix queue with some of those off the nemeng list and it's been fun doing some Leica spotting.
Regarding "Spy Game," Brad is using two M6's. One black, one chrome.
Looking closely, I noticed a continuity error in one sequence.
In the Beirut hospital sequence (~01:07:00) it alternates between a black M6 in the front shot and a chrome M6 in the back shot.
@Robin Harrison: regarding other famous actors that are legit Leica-philes, Brendan Fraser is another one.
Another one that I recently saw that I didn't know had a Leica in it beforehand was "Palermo Shooting." A bit of a pretentious offering from Wim Wenders but watchable nonetheless. The Leica is not owned by the main character but rather an older woman he randomly meets on a terrace.
martin s
08-23-2009, 09:52
bit of a pretentious offering from Wim Wenders but watchable nonetheless.
Pretentious, huh? That's what literally everyone is saying. Weird, since I usually don't find Wim Wender stuff to be pretentious at all.
martin
In the movie Das Boot: Herbert Grönemeyer uses a Leica screwmount camera
Double Negative
08-23-2009, 12:09
In a new movie "All About Steve" the lead character uses a Leica M8 and 2/35 Summicron. Check out the trailer (http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/allaboutsteve/) at 1:29. In the split-second leading up to it, they flash a viewfinder view... Not quite an RF, not quite an SLR... ;)
In an episode of "'Allo 'Allo" I saw recently, no idea which one, the German colonel takes a picture of the painting of the "Fallen Madonna with the big boobies" by Van Klump with a screwmount Leica, with synchronized flash unit.
Have seen most of them, missed the reunion program, and evidently this one as well.
If they start running it again, I would watch it -- may have to find a copy at the library.
Regards, John
I think the main character in Californication handed an M8 to a young woman, told her to use it on manual because she would learn more?
Sean Connery had a spiffy Rollei, with a tape recorder as Bond. I think he was on a boat? I would think the bad guys would get suspicious as it was not the obligatory Minox.
There also was a BBC series with a police inspector during WWII, and someone was using a Leica SM for document photography.
Brad Maestas
08-23-2009, 13:06
Pretentious, huh? That's what literally everyone is saying. Weird, since I usually don't find Wim Wender stuff to be pretentious at all.
martin
You know, I don't usually either but this one sorta has that tone to it. It's not in your face but the endless symbolism and almost forced "inner meaning" makes it a bit tedious. That's my only critique.
I do still own one of Sunny Bono's Leica CL's, though I gave the Contax to Zu.
He had a very serious collection of cameras, IIIg, M3 ss, Nikon SP's, His widow is a very nice lady, and Congressman.
Regards, John
Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) uses an M8 in the Dark Knight. :cool:
Double Negative
08-24-2009, 12:26
I do still own one of Sunny Bono's Leica CL's, though I gave the Contax to Zu...
Nice one! It's interesting to own not only a camera, but a camera with a bit of history to it.
I have Seal's M8. :)
Zu is from Prague, doubt if she appreciates the history in her Contax, but it is there. ;-)
kevinyuyu
09-24-2009, 22:23
i saw this movie .. pretty good one .. i'm not sure that is the real life those labors lived ..if it's real then it's so cruel
robklurfield
09-25-2009, 04:31
Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johannsen in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.Two shooters, one M.
elshaneo
09-25-2009, 05:03
In the movie "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", I'm quite certain that it was a Leica M6 with a Leica M 50mm f/1.5 Summarit lens :p
Nick NOLTE in Under Fire sporting a M4??? and a 35mm 'Cron. Andrew.
AFAIK, that's a Leica M4-P.
manfromh
11-28-2009, 10:44
Maybe it has been mentioned, but there is an M3 (held by Julie Delpy) in 2 Days In Paris.
In the film, Midnight Meat Train (2008) based on story of Clive Barker, the main character is a pro/street photographer, he used an Leica M.
PollitowuzHere
11-29-2009, 08:49
Coraline has a chrome M3 during one of the scenes.
aperture64
11-29-2009, 11:13
Pirate Radio just came out and features an M2 or M3.
tom.w.bn
11-29-2009, 11:27
In "Baader Meinhof Komplex", a journalist uses a Leica in one scene where they added a loud SLR sound whenever he takes a photo.
Is it possible, that sound engineers always use the same camera sound in films?
In the Belly of an Architect filmed by Peter Greenaway, a female reporter shots the Rome's Colloseum with a leica M3!
sojournerphoto
11-29-2009, 11:37
LAst night saw this Christmas' chanel advert on telly and the lady takes a pic with a digital M at the end. I'd guess it's an M9 being product placed.
Mike
Pirate Radio just came out and features an M2 or M3.
I saw the camera too, but the movie seems to be released as 'The Boat that Rocked' in the EU. Nice film, recommended.
DanOnRoute66
11-29-2009, 11:54
Michael Mann's "Ali" is a fest of vintage equipment, especially the extended fight sequence early in the film showing Cassius Clay (as Ali originally was known) beating Sonny Liston. I haven't seen it in awhile but I vaguely recall seeing a Nikon F2 a few years ahead of its time in among the press cameras.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ljQDJ4EILc - such a beautifully shot ad and audrey tautou uses the m9(?)
tom.w.bn
12-09-2009, 12:15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ljQDJ4EILc - such a beautifully shot ad and audrey tautou uses the m9(?)
Yes. A really nice short film. Camera is an M8 because you can see the film counter display on the top left.
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