Team Zissou’s Glock 17: A Pistol as Quirky as the Crew

In The Life Aquatic, Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) and his crew embark on a mission to hunt down the “jaguar shark” that killed Zissou’s partner, Esteban. Along the way, they face pirates, corporate espionage, and internal strife. One of the film’s most memorable action scenes involves Team Zissou raiding their own research vessel, the Belafonte, after it is hijacked by Filipino pirates.

During this sequence, several crew members, including Klaus Daimler (Willem Dafoe) and Pelé dos Santos (Seu Jorge), arm themselves with Glock 17 pistols (along with other firearms like the M16 and the FN FAL). The Glocks are used in close-quarters combat as the team retakes their ship in a chaotic, slow-motion shootout—a signature Wes Anderson moment, blending humor, tension, and stylized violence.

Why the Glock 17?

The Glock 17 is an interesting choice for Team Zissou, and it fits the film’s themes in a few ways:

1. Practicality & Reliability – The Glock 17 is known for its durability and simplicity, making it a logical choice for a ragtag crew of oceanographers-turned-mercenaries. It’s a no-nonsense gun for a crew that operates in unpredictable conditions.
2. Modern Yet Understated – Unlike flashy revolvers or vintage pistols, the Glock 17 is a utilitarian weapon. It doesn’t distract from the film’s aesthetic but still feels appropriate for a modern (if slightly anachronistic) adventure.
3. International Appeal – The Glock is Austrian-made but widely used by military and police forces worldwide. Given that Team Zissou is an international crew, it makes sense they’d use a globally recognized sidearm.

The Real-World Glock 17: A Brief History

The Glock 17, introduced in 1982, revolutionized handgun design with its polymer frame, striker-fired mechanism, and high-capacity magazine (17 rounds, hence the name). It was initially met with skepticism but quickly became a favorite among law enforcement and militaries due to its:

• Lightweight construction (thanks to its polymer frame)
• Minimal maintenance requirements (few moving parts, resistant to corrosion—ideal for maritime environments)
• Consistent trigger pull (unlike traditional double-action/single-action pistols)

Given these traits, it’s no surprise that the Glock 17 would be a plausible sidearm for a seafaring crew like Team Zissou, even if their mission is more scientific than militaristic.

Wes Anderson’s Stylized Take on Firearms

Wes Anderson’s films often feature guns, but they’re never portrayed with gritty realism. Instead, they’re part of the carefully composed, almost theatrical aesthetic. The shootout in The Life Aquatic is a perfect example:

• Slow-motion gunfire – The action is deliberately paced, making the violence feel surreal rather than brutal.
• Bright color contrasts – The red Team Zissou beanies and blue uniforms stand out against the ship’s interiors.
• Deadpan humor – The crew treats the firefight with the same detached professionalism as their research work.

The Glock 17 fits into this aesthetic because it’s a functional tool rather than a symbol of machismo. It’s just another piece of equipment in Zissou’s bizarre world.

The Glock 17 as a Symbol of Team Zissou’s Quirky Professionalism

While The Life Aquatic isn’t a gun-heavy film, the inclusion of the Glock 17 is a subtle but meaningful detail. It reinforces the idea that Team Zissou, despite their flaws and eccentricities, are professionals who take their mission seriously—even when that mission involves storming their own ship with handguns.

The Glock’s reliability and ubiquity make it a fitting choice for a crew that operates on the edge of chaos, whether facing pirates, funding crises, or existential dread. And in true Wes Anderson fashion, even a firearm becomes part of the film’s meticulously crafted, slightly absurd charm.

So next time you watch The Life Aquatic, keep an eye out for that sleek, black Glock 17—because in the world of Steve Zissou, even a pistol can be a thing of understated beauty.

Bonus: Did Team Zissou Actually Need Guns?

An interesting question—given that Zissou’s crew are oceanographers, not soldiers. But in the film’s universe, where piracy and corporate warfare exist, their armament makes a weird kind of sense. The Glock 17, then, is both a practical tool and a symbol of their transition from researchers to reluctant adventurers.

Would Jacques Cousteau have carried a Glock? Probably not. But Steve Zissou? Absolutely.

What do you think? Was the Glock 17 the right choice for Team Zissou? Let us know in the comments!