Factual error: Just before it shows Ailbileen using her newly built outside bathroom, there is a overview shot of Elizabeth's house. The house has architectural (3 dimensional) shingles installed but according to Nachi.org, these shingles were not introduced to market until the 1970's.
Factual error: When Minny is explaining to Celia how to cook/fry chicken, she lists things one can do with Crisco, all while holding the can of Crisco. The label on the can of Crisco was light blue until 1988, when it was then changed to the medium blue which is shown in the scene.
Factual error: Several scenes show cast members talking on telephones with modular cord plugs connecting the phone to the handsets. These modular plugs were not yet invented.
Factual error: The aerial shot of Celia Foote's plantation toward the end of the field shows the fence rows lined with round hay bales. Round hay bales were not in the United States until the 1970s. Also, a cotton farm does not have round hay bales.
Factual error: In the scene where Minny is delivering the pie to Hilly she is walking down the driveway and the sprinklers are running. Gear driven water sprinklers were not introduced until 1974.
Factual error: There's a scene where one of the maids is vacuuming the bear in the house. At this point in the movie, it is around 1962-1963. President Kennedy hasn't been assassinated yet. Then the camera moves to a shot of the vacuum cleaner. It is an Electrolux Olympia canister made in 1978. I know, because I have two of them.
Factual error: In the background behind the lady talking in New York, the W R Grace building is in the background, but the building wasn't built until 1973.
Factual error: The opening song is "Jackson," with Skeeter driving home, by Johnny Cash and June Carter which was recorded in 1967. The movie takes place in 1963.
