Best war movie continuity mistakes of all time

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High Road to China picture

Continuity mistake: When Tom Selleck rolls his plane upside down to dump the Afghan at several thousand feet altitude, you plainly see stationary tree tops at the bottom of the frame.

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Three Kings picture

Continuity mistake: In one scene, some of Saddam's troops pour oil all over Mark Whalberg's face (while forcing him to bite down on a CD so it runs into his mouth) in an attempt to torture him. The next scene, when he is rescued, he has nothing but the requisite smudges and "movie dirt" on his face. Apparently the Iraqis decided to clean the oil slick off of his face before he got rescued.

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Sink the Bismarck picture

Continuity mistake: The Bismarck is sighted by a British agent in southern Norway, sailing out of the Baltic into the North Sea - east to west. But the view through the agent's binoculars shows the ship sailing from right to left on the screen - which would be sailing west to east from the point of view of an observer on the Norwegian coast.

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The Great Dictator picture

Continuity mistake: During the middle of the film, a butler comes in and out of the Dictator's office several times repeatedly. The door is open and shows the corridor outside the office, casting the shadow of a window off-screen. The shadow changes from small to big bewteen shots.

Sacha

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Enemy at the Gates picture

Continuity mistake: In the scene taking place at the fountain, Danilov's rifle has a round receiver. When he hands the rifle over to Zaitsev, the rifle has a hex receiver. When Zaitsev hands the rifle back, the rifle has a round receiver again. (00:17:30)

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Full Metal Jacket picture Video

Continuity mistake: In the opening scene, Gunnery Sgt. Hartman is making his speech and passes by Privates Cowboy and Joker on his way to the other side of the barracks. On his way he passes Private Pyle standing to the right of Private Joker. Later in the scene, when he rushes over to confront Private Joker and then moves on to Private Cowboy and then Private Pyle, Private Pyle is on the left of Private Joker. (00:02:00)

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Glory picture

Continuity mistake: During the first battle in the woods, the Union Regiment levels their un-bayonetted weapons and fires a volley at the Confederates. About 3 seconds later, without the order having been given, they are in hand to hand combat with bayonets fixed.

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Inglourious Basterds picture

Continuity mistake: In the scene where they are playing 20 questions, the barmaid and the barman are invited to join in, in the next shot they are back behind the bar and then a few moments later they are playing 20 questions again.

kangorrillarpig

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The Hurt Locker picture

Continuity mistake: James is described on the cast list as a Staff Sergeant, but he wears the rank insignia of a Sergeant First Class.

Necrothesp

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American Sniper picture

Continuity mistake: When the two Humvees are leaving, they get intercepted by a green Renault 12 which they shoot up and ram. The Humvee after hitting the Renault then hits a wall and suffers damage. After the Humvees come to a halt some moments later, the wall damaged Humvee is now pristine again.

GalahadFairlight

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Operation Pacific picture

Continuity mistake: When the Japanese ship is about to be torpedoed, there are no numbers or letters on its side. In the next shot, when the ship explodes, a large white "265" is visible on the port side of the ship.

keiko

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Apocalypse Now picture Video

Continuity mistake: In the playboy bunny scene, the helicopter's main rotor keeps on starting and stopping. (01:06:39)

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Rules of Engagement picture

Continuity mistake: The soldiers takes off from the aircraft carrier in Boeing CH-46 helicopters. In the next scene they are flying towards the target and the helicopters are magically upgraded to the Boeing CH-47 model. The mistake is clearly seen when counting the landing gear on the two types. The CH-46 has a single front landing gear and the CH-47 has a double landing gear in the front.

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The Last Samurai picture

Continuity mistake: When Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Ujio, is riding his horse and charging the howitzers, he gets shot by the gatling gun and falls down dead. In the next scene he can be seen in the upper left corner still riding, wearing his distinctive gold circle armor. (02:04:40)

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Casablanca picture

Continuity mistake: In the final scenes at the airport, when Rick is talking to Major Strasser, the epaulettes on Strasser's shoulders alternately appear and disappear. (01:40:05)

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Three Musketeers picture

Continuity mistake: In one extended scene, Chris O'Donnell is talking with someone. Almost every time the camera comes back to him, the ties on his shirt are first crossed, then uncrossed, etc.

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1917 picture

Continuity mistake: The injury Schofield suffers to his neck is healed by the time that he gets to the front line.

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Black Hawk Down picture Black Hawk Down mistake picture

Continuity mistake: In the scene where Star 41 is called to the first crash site, it has mini guns and rockets, but when it gets to the site it has seats for people. (00:50:20 - 01:02:00)

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Patton picture

Continuity mistake: In the scene before Patton hears the news of getting relieved of command, he is walking with his NCO aide George, who is wearing E6 rank on his shirt. In the following scene while getting ready for bed, the same sergeant is now wearing E5 rank.

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The End of the Affair picture

Continuity mistake: When Parkis the detective comes to give his first report Maurice is shaving. The shaving cream on Maurice's face keeps appearing and disappearing throughout the scene, most obviously when he looks aroud the corner. (00:23:40)

NancyFelix

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