Continuity mistake: During the classroom scene, the spelling of of Genghis Khan's name on the chalkboard changes from "Genghis Khan" to "Ghenghis Khan" between shots. (00:04:50)
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
1 picture
Directed by: Stephen Herek
Starring: Keanu Reeves, George Carlin, Alex Winter
Factual error: When Bill and Ted grab Beethoven, we are shown the piano he was playing which is a Steinweg (Steinweg later changed his name to Steinway when he immigrated to the United States). Steinweg made their first piano in 1835, and the model shown was built in Braunschweig so must have been made after 1858, but Beethoven died in 1827, years before a Steinweg piano existed. Also the onscreen graphic says it's 1810. (00:47:50)
Trivia: The shots of the French army are from the 1956 film War and Peace.
Question: Is the portrayal of the historical figures and their respective surroundings accurate in any way?
Answer: Not entirely, especially Beethoven. He was supposed to be in the early stages of his deafness, and he showed no signs of resentment towards Napoleon, whom he once admired, until he crowned himself Emperor of France. This caused Beethoven to despise him and rename his Third Symphony to Eroica, which was originally titled "Bonaparte Symphony" when he admired Napoleon.
Answer: Yes and no. The basic premises are all right; the years are accurate, and maybe the costumes. Napoleon was at war in 1805, and Joan of Arc was undoubtedly in church at some time during 1429, etc. But everything with the mysterious King Henry and his two teenage daughters in the middle ages is completely fabricated. Although there were four King Henrys during that century, none of them fit the age or family situation seen in the film.
Krista