Corrected entry: In one scene when Wyatt Earp is crying out in the middle of town and it's raining, around Wyatt, the street is soaked and puddled with pouring rain, a few feet further up the street is clearly still hard-packed dirt where the sprinklers stop - you can even see exactly where the "rain" ends.
Steve Kozak
27th Aug 2001
Tombstone (1993)
Correction: I've had it raining at my house and the neighbors is dry.
3rd Oct 2006
The Guardian (2006)
Factual error: When the new candidates report in to Rescue Swimmer School, one of the airmen is wearing the Silver Star ribbon. The person is too young to have served in another service, and there are no other service's ribbons worn - and the Coast Guard hasn't issued a Silver Star since Vietnam.
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: Nobody is wearing medals except for the captain and Randall in the entire scene.
27th Aug 2001
Glory (1989)
Corrected entry: When the 54th Mass is shown marching into battle the Sergeant Major is wearing private's leathers (traps). Noncommissioned officers (sergeants and above) had traps with detailed, rectangluar belt buckles, not the oval "US" buckle. This is most obvious when they are marching towards Fort Wagner.
Correction: This person is assuming that everything was available when someone was promoted. It could have been a battlefield promotion - it is well documented that soldiers who were promoted on the field had to wait for shipments of new gear.
The accoutrements mentioned were presented to him when he was promoted to Sgt major on the boat...he received his senior NCO sword, bayonet and belt...he had the accoutrements.
1st Mar 2011
Glory (1989)
Other mistake: In the scene where muskets are issued to the 54th Massachusetts, only Pvt. Jupiter Sharts is revealed to be a marksman worthy of training the other troops by virtue of having previously hunted squirrels. The camera then zooms to a closeup of Pvt. Sharts aiming down the barrel with the wrong eye closed.
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: There are many people who are opposite eye dominant...my one buddy shoots a gun right-handed but is left eye dominant...it's common, and isn't a mistake.
Depends on exactly what the mistake is saying - to me it reads like the eye over the barrel is shut, which would throw his aim off significantly.
8th Mar 2017
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Factual error: When the Japanese commander is committing seppuku near the end of the final battle, after he makes the first cut his second cuts his head clean off, and it can be seen falling to the ground in front of his body. While having a second perform this act was indeed commonly part of the ritual, the second was actually supposed to ensure that the neck was not cut cleanly through, i.e. He was supposed to stop short and leave the head attached to the body by a small flap of tissue. It was considered extremely undignified and unnecessarily messy for the head to come clean off and roll around on the ground. For that reason, it was important to choose a second who was a skilled swordsman.
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: While factually you are correct, s**t happens...when does anything in war go as it's supposed to? Just because something is supposed to go a certain way and doesn't, doesn't mean it was a mistake in the filming.
22nd Jan 2018
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Factual error: Throughout the battle scenes on the ridge, the machine gunners can be seen picking up the guns to fire on the move. While not impossible, not as painless as it is made to appear. The M1919 .30 caliber air cooled machine gun was light enough to carry. But for the gunner to hold an already hot barrel and continue firing would have been extremely painful without the issued heat retardant mitten or the barrel "hoop" w/ wooden handle. These fixes allowed the gun to be fired on the move and saved many from having their palms burned and scarred for life.
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: They have barrel shrouds which dissipate the heat and allow a grip...they are not in contact with the barrel.
1st Nov 2017
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Factual error: When Sergeant Howell is first introduced, the corporal assisting him calls the barracks to attention. You do not call "attention" for an NCO, however - you call "at ease."
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: They are in boot camp. You stand at attention when they say you stand at attention. Especially when your Drill Sergeant walks in.
This is absolutely incorrect. In the United States Army, soldiers stand "at ease" in the presence of a non-commissioned officer (such as a drill sergeant). Soldiers only stand at "attention" when in formation or in the presence of a commissioned officer. Having served, I am very well acquainted with the appropriate procedure.
Suggested correction: When you are in basic training, if you are called to attention you come to attention...if you are told to bend over and scratch your 6, you do just that...these men are not yet soldiers.
16th Dec 2011
Ladder 49 (2004)
Character mistake: At their wedding, the Priest announces Jack and Linda as Mr & Mrs Morris, instead of Morrison. (00:37:45)
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: He says Morrison clear as day.
12th Sep 2002
Zulu (1964)
Continuity mistake: During one of the attacks, the Zulus are charging en masse towards the ramparts manned by British riflemen. When Bromhead yells "Fire!" the soldiers open fire with their rifles....and some Zulus at the REAR of the charge fall dead whilst those in the front continue charging, uninjured.
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: Soldiers miss more than they hit enemy soldiers...they could simply have missed warriors in the front and the bullets hit others further back in the formation.
7th May 2003
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Corrected entry: In the scene where the two Delta snipers are defending Durant's crash site, a few sounds gets mixed up. When the boys first arrive they pull Durant out of the chopper and place him in a hut. Gordon runs back out and start to shoot. He is using his M4, but the sound is from Shugart's M21. When the two snipers are dead we see Durant fire off his last round when Somalis are over-running the chopper. The gun he used was Gordon's M4, but the sound was from his own MP5. (01:32:46)
Correction: Shughart uses an M14, not an M21, and Gordon uses a CAR-15, not an M4. Durant uses an MP5K. The actual difference in sound is negligible in this scene, the snap of the CAR-15 blends in with the crowd.
Correction: Also, the fact that the M4 has a suppressor on it will make it sound different.
27th Aug 2003
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Continuity mistake: When Randy Shugart and Gary Gordon arrive to defend the downed chopper, Shugart is shooting his rifle as a right-hander, but in one short sequence as they're pulling Mike Durant to cover he is shooting as a left-hander. The shot has obviously been reversed as the bolt of the M14 and the height adjustment knob on the aim point optic are on the wrong side of the rifle. (01:29:00)
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: You can see him change shoulders as he goes back into the building.
The mistake is valid. He's shooting with the rifle against his right shoulder and you can see the flag patch on his right shoulder. In the next shot, after the guy is pulled out, the rifle is against his left shoulder and he turns, he doesn't change shoulders as the rifle is still against his left shoulder after he turns. However, there is no longer a flag patch on his right shoulder, meaning the shot was flipped as indicated.
25th Feb 2011
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Continuity mistake: When they call for a stretcher for Blackburn, the stretcher is half folded up. The camera does an instant cut and it is now fully open. They don't unfold that quickly. (00:45:40)
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: The scene shows them opening it that quickly.
The stretcher changes from partially opened to fully opened between shots. Meaning no time has elapsed to finishing opening it, which is why it's a continuity mistake.
29th Mar 2018
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Visible crew/equipment: Just after Pilla is killed we see Aidid walking with his MP5. In his sunglasses the camera is reflected as clear as day. (00:48:20)
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: That wasn't Aidid, and the person you mention didn't have an MP5.
18th Apr 2004
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Factual error: In the movie, the Rangers and Delta operators defending the crash site are engaged by several 'technicals' (pick-up trucks with crew served weapons mounted) including one with a recoilless rifle directed by the Somali 'head honcho'. Also, several technicals seem to (somewhat implausibly) spring from the woodwork as they flee the city on foot... However, during the entire course of the actual battle, there was never a SINGLE mention of the pinned down forces being engaged by such vehicles and the Rambo-style capture of the recoilless rifle was a comical fabrication.
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: Technicals engaged US forces throughout the battle. Although they may not have been engaged by a technical with a recoilless rifle, they most certainly were engaged by technicals.
22nd Sep 2003
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Deliberate mistake: When the list of the KIA during the raid is showing, the name of Matt Rierson is up there but he died 3 days later from a mortar attack on the base. (02:11:50)
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: Although he was killed 2 days later, he is still considered a casualty of the battle in official records so it's not a mistake.
8th Feb 2018
We Were Soldiers (2002)
Factual error: Throughout the battle, the artillery rounds impact far too soon after they have been called in. While the artillery supporting 1/7 CAV at Ia Drang did have some pre-planned targets, it is impossible for any gun crew to receive a fire mission, adjust the gun, and fire the round as quickly as depicted (i.e., in a matter of seconds).
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: Several times you hear them say artillery at previously established coordinates...the guns were already dialled in to where they needed to be and all they had to do was shoot them.
6th Jan 2005
Tears of the Sun (2003)
Corrected entry: Lt. Waters (played by Bruce Willis) is well into his thirties, if not early forties. The character seems to be remarkably old for someone who is still only a Lieutenant. Since this is the most junior commissioned rank it is almost exclusively occupied by much younger officers, there also being an age restriction within which a commission can be awarded. The only reason to remain a Lieutenant would be due to being unworthy of promotion, but then why put such a soldier in charge of a high profile rescue mission?
Correction: He might not actually want a promotion, rather being in charge of small units in dire situations at which he is apparently very good; a character decision, even if slightly strange, is not a film mistake. (Also, a lieutenant in the Navy is NOT one of the most junior ranks. A Navy LT is equivalent to an Army, Marine, or Air Force Captain. They are experienced personnel and members usually stay at this rank for four to seven years prior to being promoted to the next rank.)
Correction: He could also be a "mustang" meaning he began his career as an enlisted man and eventually earned a commission.
5th Jun 2004
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Corrected entry: In the scene where the ATP is ambushed by the two groups of Americans we see Cpt. Miller take their right flank and kill three Germans trying to run for it. But watch as he shoots. The second he stops shooting an explosion goes off in the background 20 yards away. This can't happen with the gun he's firing (Thompson) because it doesn't shoot explosive rounds. In addition to the shooting, a German messed up by getting shot way after Cpt. Miller stopped shooting.
Correction: The explosion is caused by a bazooka in Ryan's group, not Miller's Thompson.
Correction: One of the airborne soldiers shot the 3rd German.
18th Mar 2009
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Factual error: The American troops at Ramelle bridge are supposed to be fighting the 2nd SS Panzer Division. Two things wrong: the 2nd SS never had Tiger tanks in Normandy, having turned over their Tiger battalion to another unit in Russia prior to being transferred to France. Second, in the scenes with the Tigers, a 1st SS Panzerkorps insignia (Crossed Keys) is seen on the front right hull of the Tigers; 2nd SS Panzer Division was never a part of 1st SS Panzerkorps.
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: Nowhere is it said that they were exclusively fighting the 2nd SS Panzer division...the only hint of the 2nd SS is the recon probe (half-track scene.) Different units are more than capable of linking up and fighting together (2nd rangers and 101st for example) it is also stated that there are only 2 bridges intact along the Merderet river and that the Germans need to get their armor across anywhere they can. It's entirely plausible that multiple armor units converged and fought together.
The map Capt. Miller pulls out during the scene where they are questioning the columns of soldiers by the glider wreckage shows "2nd SS Panzer" written on his map at the location where they need to go, the city of Ramelle.
That is 100% correct Scott, but where does it say that it is exclusively the 2nd SS Panzer division? Multiple units can link up together, especially when there are only 2 intact bridges to cross a river that needs to be crossed...other units are more than capable of converging together to do just that.
6th Mar 2020
Flight of the Intruder (1991)
Corrected entry: Glover's shoulder boards at end of movie are for commander, not captain.
Correction: It's stated he was selected for captain. He is still the rank of commander until he is officially promoted. Being selected doesn't mean he has been promoted yet, no different than being promoted at work. If it's May 1st and you get promoted to a higher position effective July 1st, it doesn't mean you are the title you have been promoted to until you officially begin in that position.
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.
Correction: This actually happens in Arizona. I was down in tombstone and it happened where you can see where rain stops and starts - it's pretty neat.
No that's just bad direction.
John Caiola