Factual error: McVay gives the order to cease zigzagging, full speed ahead, but the Japanese sub commander gives the target speed of 12 knots for the torpedo solution. The Indianapolis was capable of a speed in excess of 30 knots.
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage (2016)
Directed by: Mario Van Peebles
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Thomas Jane, Tom Sizemore, Matt Lanter
Factual error: Before departure, Captain McNeely asks if the ship's mission has anything to do with the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was highly classified, and it is doubtful that McNeely had heard the project's name. In fact, there is historical debate as to whether or not he knew what the cargo was that he was carrying.
Other mistake: Sloppy animation: In the opening scene, the propeller of one of the Japanese planes stops just as it rolls into its dive.
Trivia: In his address to his crew, Nicholas Cage says "Without me, you are worthless. You are my crew. And without you, I am worthless." This line is borrowed from Full Metal Jacket (1987): "Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless."
Admiral Parnell: President Truman has chosen you and your crew to lead a highly classified mission.
Captain McVay: There will always be war until we kill off our own species.
Join the mailing list
Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.