Factual error: Detective Chief Inspector Kapoor is suddenly shown in uniform with inspector's rank insignia. Detectives never wear uniform (except rarely on formal occasions) and he has apparently dropped a rank.
Necrothesp
26th Jul 2015
Black Work (2015)
7th Jul 2015
Penny Dreadful (2014)
Factual error: Inspector Rusk uses the term "trope" in its modern meaning of a theme or motif. This usage did not come into vogue until the late 20th century; the first such usage recorded by the OED was in 1975. The series is set in the 1890s and the language used is generally that of the time.
7th Jul 2015
Penny Dreadful (2014)
Factual error: Educated characters, including an eminent scholar, continually translate 'Lupus Dei' as 'Hound of God'. Even someone with the most basic Latin would know it actually means 'Wolf of God'.
7th Jul 2015
Penny Dreadful (2014)
Factual error: Inspector Rusk lost an arm while serving in the army before he became a policeman. A one-armed man would never have been allowed to join the police in Victorian England - as today, all police officers had to join as uniformed constables and they had to be completely physically fit and able-bodied. Only the most senior officers (well above inspector) could join directly in a senior rank.
6th Jul 2015
Penny Dreadful (2014)
Factual error: Sir Malcolm and Evelyn fire the Mauser C96 Broomhandle pistol. The series is set in 1891 or 1892 and this weapon was not introduced until 1897.
6th Jul 2015
Penny Dreadful (2014)
Factual error: Sir Malcolm tells Vanessa to wear a facemask when they go to minister to the poor as cholera is rife in the area. However, the series is set in the 1890s and it had been well-known since the 1850s that cholera was caused by contaminated food and water and not by airborne germs. As an educated man, Sir Malcolm is bound to know this.
21st Jun 2015
1864 (2014)
Factual error: Helmuth von Moltke is addressed and referred to several times as Field Marshal. He wasn't promoted to that rank until 1871. He was a lieutenant-general during the Second Schleswig War in 1864.
21st Apr 2015
The Devil's Rock (2011)
Factual error: Colonel Meyer's promotions are listed in his SS ID card as Hauptmann, Oberstleutnant and Oberst. Since the SS used a different ranking system from the Wehrmacht, they should actually be Hauptsturmführer, Obersturmbannführer and Standartenführer.
21st Apr 2015
Pompeii (2014)
Factual error: There was no Roman law saying a gladiator had to be freed after a certain number of victories and no gladiator would have believed there was. It was entirely up to his owner whether or when he was freed.
21st Apr 2015
Pompeii (2014)
Factual error: The people of Pompeii are frequently referred to as not being Roman citizens. They very definitely were Roman citizens with full rights. You didn't have to come from the actual City of Rome to be a Roman citizen, as is implied in this film.
19th Apr 2015
Haven (2010)
Factual error: The 1725 issue of 'The Haven Herald' used as part of every episode's title sequence is packed with errors. It is written in modern English, with some very modern turns of phrase (e.g. Had it with this town, get on with her life). The same paragraph appears twice. It is headed "Haven, Me." - Maine was part of Massachusetts until 1820 and the abbreviation was not commonly used at all until the 20th century. And it costs 2 cents - until 1793 British-style pounds, shillings and pence were used throughout America. Also, February 18th 1725 was a Sunday, not a Tuesday.
17th Apr 2015
The Borgias (2011)
The Beautiful Deception - S2-E3
Factual error: Cardinal della Rovere says he wishes to join the Dominican Order instead of the Capuchin Order because the former's rule is stricter. In actual fact, the Capuchin rule is one of the strictest of all Roman Catholic orders, something which della Rovere would certainly have known.
11th Apr 2015
The Blood on Satan's Claw (1971)
Factual error: When the judge is interrogating Margaret, a very un-18th century filling can be seen in her teeth.
2nd Dec 2014
The Fall (2013)
Factual error: Superintendent Gibson wears her Metropolitan Police uniform to the press conference. She is wearing a tie, but female officers in the Met instead wear a black and white cravat.
15th Oct 2014
Sherlock (2010)
Factual error: In "The Bloody Guardsman" case, the guardsmen are on sentry duty unarmed. Sentries always carry rifles.
13th Oct 2014
Sherlock (2010)
Factual error: In "The Bloody Guardsman" case, Bainbridge, who is in the Welsh Guards, is referred to by everyone, including himself, as "Private Bainbridge." The Foot Guards use the rank of Guardsman instead of Private.
9th Jul 2014
Ironclad (2011)
Factual error: King John succeeded in capturing Rochester Castle. The French arrived in England about six months later.
9th Jul 2014
Ironclad (2011)
Factual error: William d'Aubigny was not killed during the siege. He survived to support John's son, Henry III.
9th Jul 2014
Ironclad (2011)
Factual error: Rochester Castle is seen standing alone and isolated from any other settlement. In actual fact it stands on the edge of the City of Rochester and very close to Rochester Cathedral, both of which certainly existed at this time.
5th May 2014
Grimm (2011)
Factual error: Frankie's official military record shows her rank and grade as Specialist E-3. E-3 is a Private First Class. A Specialist is E-4.