No, the safes featured in the movie Army of Thieves are not real; they are entirely fictional constructs central to the film's narrative and the wider Army of the Dead universe.
These extraordinary safes are depicted as the mythical creations of a legendary, albeit fictional, German locksmith named Hans Wagner. Wagner is portrayed as an unparalleled artisan whose work transcended mere security devices, becoming true masterpieces of engineering and art. Each safe, known as a "Wagner," is a unique challenge, designed with an intricate series of tumblers and mechanisms that make them seemingly impenetrable.
The pursuit of these legendary safes forms the core of Army of Thieves, as the protagonist, Sebastian Schumm (later known as Ludwig Dieter), is drawn into a high-stakes heist to crack three of them. These specific safes are:
- The Rheingold
- The Valkyrie
- The Siegfried
The narrative builds towards the ultimate safe, the "Götterdämmerung," which is also a creation of Hans Wagner and becomes the primary objective for Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) and his team in the sequel, Army of the Dead. This specific vault, located beneath a casino in a zombie-infested Las Vegas, represents the pinnacle of Wagner's design, posing an unprecedented challenge that Ludwig Dieter is uniquely equipped to face.
Fictional Design vs. Real-World Safes
While the Hans Wagner safes are fictional, their depiction draws inspiration from the real-world art of safe-making and the fascination with complex mechanical puzzles. However, the level of artistic flair, near-mythical status, and unique, almost mystical, unlocking processes attributed to Wagner's creations set them apart from genuine security vaults.
Here's a comparison highlighting the distinction:
| Feature | Hans Wagner Safes (Fictional) | Real-World High-Security Safes |
|---|---|---|
| Originator | Legendary, mythical, and fictional locksmith Hans Wagner | Established and reputable manufacturers (e.g., Mosler, Chubb, Fichet-Bauche) |
| Nature | Unique art pieces; mechanical puzzles with complex, bespoke mechanisms | Engineered for maximum physical resistance, fireproofing, and sophisticated locking systems |
| Complexity Focus | Artistic and mechanical intricacy, often with narrative-driven elements | Material science, advanced lock technology (digital, biometric), structural integrity, alarm integration |
| Cultural Impact | Central to a specific cinematic universe's lore and character development | Essential for securing valuables, data, and critical assets globally; recognized for proven security standards |
The Army of Thieves and Army of the Dead films utilize these fictional safes to create a compelling backdrop for their action-heist plots, showcasing the unique talents of their characters and building a rich mythological lore around the art of safecracking.
