Factual error: It's late 18th, possibly early 19th century and, as Jane and her sister walk along the beach, a construction crane is visible on the horizon.
Factual error: During a montage depicting Afghan fighters shooting down Soviet aircraft, the stock military shots show an A6 Intruder, an F4 Phantom, and soon after, an F-16 Falcon getting shot down. All are jets Russia never used, as they are American aircraft. (01:22:15)
Factual error: When Bob Ford opens the box under the bed, on top is an issue of "The Jesse James Stories" weekly, which was published from 1901-1903 - fully twenty years after the events of this film. (00:36:10)
Factual error: Most of the semi trucks shown in the movie are much newer than 1990, even 1992. One of the trucks that gives Chris a ride has a DOT color-coded inspection sticker in a style that was not around in the early 90's.
Factual error: When Jean-Dominique is taken on a boat ride, a 'Speedferries' vessel can be seen in the background. This company did not commence business until 2004, years after the time in which the story is set and years after Bauby's death in 1997.
Factual error: In the beginning of the film, a variety of different suitors are presented to Elizabeth. Amongst them are Eric XIV of Sweden, reportedly "still madly in love [with her]". Even though he was born the same year as Elizabeth; when this film takes place, in 1585, he had already been dead for 8 years.
Factual error: When challenged by Henry Lowe, Professor Tolson begins to recite the infamous William Lynch speech. However, the speech was proved to be a hoax that was actually written in the 1990s. No text could have existed at the time of this scene for Tolson to quote.
Factual error: The phone at the Peacocks house is too modern for the time - the cord going into the handset had a clip in cord versus being attached directly to the piece.
Factual error: When Richard asks Art his opinion of his book, a copy of "Haymarket Scrapbook" is on a shelf. This book was first published in 1986, yet Richard's book will be published in 1981. (01:03:00)
Factual error: After Carlton Leach and his friends have been tricked by the kids, a huge fight starts, and police arrive to break it up, a Ford Sierra is seen in the background. The fight is set in 1982, but the model shown is from the early 1990's - impossible for 1982.
Factual error: At the end of the movie, Pat is watching a news report about John Lennon's death, which is intercut with scenes of Darby making preparations for his fatal overdose. Darby died almost a whole day before Lennon's assassination.
Factual error: The Mustang used to take Sylvia to her parents at the circus when she escapes is a 1967. The scene is set in 1965.