Best history TV mistakes of all time

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Medici: Masters of Florence picture

Purgatory - S1-E7

Continuity mistake: During the Medici brothers vs. Marco Bello confrontation near the end of the episode Lorenzo grabs a candlestick to defend himself against Marco Bello's knife - you can even notice a candle slipping off the candlestick. As Marco Bello turns to leave the chamber, however, Lorenzo's hands are empty and the candlestick rests on the table. In the next shot he's holding it again, with the candle sitting atop of the candlestick. (00:47:30)

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Birdsong picture

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Factual error: The battalion commander wears the correct crown and pip of a lieutenant-colonel, but the four cuff rings of a full colonel (lieutenant-colonels wore three).

Necrothesp

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Underground picture

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Factual error: "Underground" is set in 1857 Georgia, yet the padded baseball glove August Pullman gives to his son is of a type used during the early 20th century. Before 1883 when padded gloves were first manufactured, gloves were either not used by baseball players or railroad brakeman's gloves were used.

Scott215

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The Chosen picture

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Factual error: In season 1, there is an Egyptian woman wearing ornate jewellery around her head. Unfortunately, at least 3 components are old UK currency coins from the latter half of the 20th century. Clearly visible are copper 2p pieces and one old silver 10p coin. (00:38:40)

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House of Guinness picture

Episode #1.6 - S1-E6

Continuity mistake: Arthur and Edward are sitting in their office with their lawyer having a long discussion. The lawyer is sitting at one end of the table with Arthur at the other end. When the show returns to them after a brief cutaway, the lawyer is seated at the side of the table.

bnemirow

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Masters of the Air picture

Part Nine - S1-E9

Revealing mistake: Major John "Bucky" Egan is struggling with a German soldier while Major Gale "Buck" Cleven escapes. He holds the soldier's rifle, which is a rubber prop, as it bends during the struggle.

Matdan97

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The Hot Zone picture

Arrival - S1-E1

Factual error: Season 1 Episode 1 Arrival - Doctor Jaax is a Lt. Col. in the US Army. Her BDU blouse has a US flag on the right sleeve. The time period of the show is 1988, as there is a doctor wearing a Dukakis T-shirt. The US Army didn't have a US flag on the BDU uniform until 2005. (00:11:20)

Snag.1

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A Small Light picture

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Factual error: Karl Silberbauer, who headed the raid on the secret annexe, wears the insignia of an SS-Sturmbannführer (major). He was actually an SS-Hauptscharführer (senior sergeant). His superior is addressed in German as "Herr Major" (not an SS rank and not how an SS officer would be addressed), but wears the insignia of an SS-Standartenführer (colonel).

Necrothesp

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Shogun picture

Episode #1.1 - S1-E1

Character mistake: In the opening minutes of the first episode, as the Erasmus is struggling through a storm, Blackthorne is told that the boatswain is dead. He checks the corpse and then says, "Get the body aloft," which would entail carrying the deceased up the mast. The correct order would be "Get the body topside."

mdwalker

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I, Claudius picture

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Revealing mistake: The set where Augustus visits Agrippa on Lesbos for reconciliation is the same set where Augustus already was before - he was there earlier, reading the news of Marcellus' death while he was away from Rome to visit the Eastern provinces. But as stated, he had not visited Lesbos at all, because he and Agrippa had temporarily fallen out. (00:39:30 - 00:41:30)

Spiny Norman

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The Tower picture

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Factual error: Both Inspector Shaw and Chief Inspector Bailie wear their medal ribbons in the wrong order. The Golden Jubilee Medal is worn first, followed by the Diamond Jubilee Medal, followed by (for Bailie) the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

Necrothesp

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Six (2017)

Six picture

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Factual error: The Navy Seals call in air support and provide a fire mission to given coordinates. The targets are engaged with rockets and gatling/chain guns. The UH-60 Black Hawk is shown leaving after the air strike. This UH-60 however only had mini-guns in the doors. The type of UH-60 needed for this action would be the UH-60 DAP, which is configured as a gunship and has no troop carrying capacity. The DAP can carry chain guns, mini-guns, missiles and or rockets. (00:03:00 - 00:03:23)

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