From the Vault: Remington 11-87 from "No Country for Old Men"

Published on December 6, 2019
Duration: 3:52

This entry details the creation of a movie prop suppressor for a Remington 11-87 used in 'No Country for Old Men.' Prop master Larry Zanoff explains how the suppressor was designed to look homemade and was non-functional, with sound effects added in post-production. The process highlights the creative problem-solving involved in film armory.

Quick Summary

The silenced shotgun in 'No Country for Old Men' was a modified Remington 11-87. A custom, non-functional prop suppressor was built for it to achieve the desired 'homemade' aesthetic. The suppressor featured rough machining marks and non-flush screws, and the iconic sound effect was added in post-production.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Hero Weapons
  2. 00:33Character and Script Requirements
  3. 01:04The Challenge of a Semi-Auto Suppressor
  4. 02:00Designing the 'Homemade' Look
  5. 02:57Prop Reality vs. Film Sound

Frequently Asked Questions

What shotgun was used for the silenced weapon in 'No Country for Old Men'?

The silenced shotgun in 'No Country for Old Men' was a modified Remington 11-87. A custom, non-functional prop suppressor was built for it to achieve the desired 'homemade' aesthetic required by the film's prop master.

Was the suppressor on the Remington 11-87 in 'No Country for Old Men' functional?

No, the suppressor on the Remington 11-87 used in 'No Country for Old Men' was a non-functional metal prop. The iconic silenced sound effect was created entirely through post-production sound editing.

Why was a custom suppressor needed for the Remington 11-87 in the movie?

The film's script required a semi-automatic suppressed shotgun. At the time, the only existing suppressed shotgun was a pump-action Remington 870, so a custom suppressor had to be built for the semi-automatic Remington 11-87.

How was the 'homemade' look of the movie prop suppressor achieved?

The prop suppressor was designed with intentional rough machining marks and non-flush screws. This gave it a 'garage-built' appearance, fitting the character's persona in 'No Country for Old Men'.

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