Top 10 Mistakes You ACTUALLY See in the Movie
Top 10 Mistakes You ACTUALLY See in the Movie
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Uh... whoops! Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 mistakes you ACTUALLY see in the movie. For this list, we’re looking at the biggest visible errors and gaffs that made their way into the final cuts of films. We’ll be excluding animated movies from our list, though do be sure to give “Let It Go” another look in “Frozen.”
#10: Disappearing Badge
“Inglourious Basterds” (2009) The titular group of brutal WWII American soldiers is introduced earlier in this movie, but it isn’t until we see them in action that we truly get to see firsthand what they’re all about. While the shocking violence initiated by the “Bear Jew” against a Nazi officer is quite distracting, eagle-eyed viewers noticed a problem with the officer’s uniform. The officer, named Feldwebel, displays a badge on the right side of his chest. However, after the Bear Jew beats him to death, the badge is gone from Feldwebel’s uniform in close up shots, only to return in wider shots.
#9: Chin Smack
“Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971) This colorful and enchanting movie has a lot of memorable musical numbers, but few speak to children quite like “The Candy Man.” Kids, and kids at heart, love candy, and this song epitomizes the feeling that sweets make the whole world sweeter. Still, even this cavity-inducing song isn’t without its faults. While singing about the wonders of Wonka, this candy store owner moves about his store with grace…save for the moment where he hits a little girl in the chin when he opens the counter while she’s leaning over it. Who can give you head trauma~? Or maybe a little scar~? The Candy Man can!
#8: Changing Breakfasts
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“Pretty Woman” (1990) This hit romantic comedy requires little introduction. But just in case… “Pretty Woman” is about a businessman, Edward, who forms a relationship with a call girl, Vivian, after hiring her for a week. It may be a beloved film, but it still has its issues. Although there are some things that haven’t aged well about it, one of its more visible mistakes can be seen during the breakfast scene between Edward and Vivian after their first night in a hotel together. As the camera switches back and forth between them, the breakfast item held by Vivian switches between a croissant and a pancake. If only someone could rescue us from bad continuity!
#7: Spelling Error
“The Dark Knight Rises” (2012) The third installment of “The Dark Knight” trilogy is arguably its most uneven. But while there are some story elements that have us rolling our eyes (why would Commissioner Gordan send all the cops into the sewers?!), the mistake we’ll be discussing is significantly more subtle. After being robbed by Catwoman, Bruce Wayne decides to do some research on the perpetrator. While looking through old newspapers, Bruce comes across a paper with the headline, “Police Suspect ‘Cat’ Burglar in Jewel Hiest.” H-I-E-S-T. It’s pretty sad that the filmmakers all managed to miss this simple spelling error. Probably too late to get a reprint.!
#6: Extra Foresight
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“North by Northwest” (1959) An Alfred Hitchcock classic, “North by Northwest” follows Roger Thornhill, a man mistaken for a spy who becomes wrapped up in a series of adventures as he tries to escape his pursuers. Although often cited as one of the best movies ever made, it also has one of the most famous movie mistakes. Near the climax of the movie, Thornhill and femme fatale Eve have a confrontation at a café in the shadow of Mt. Rushmore. Eve eventually pulls out a gun and shoots Thornhill. However, just before this, a boy in the background behind Eve can be seen plugging his ears in anticipation of the loud noise. Hitchcock may be the master of suspense, but this kid clearly couldn’t wait.
#5: Gas Canister
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“Gladiator” (2000) In this beloved historical drama, disgraced roman general Maximus must fight to avenge his family. “Gladiator” may be an Oscar winning movie, but it’s still not perfect. In one of the movie’s central set pieces, Maximus and his fellow gladiators are set up to lose a mock battle in the Colosseum. Thanks to teamwork and Maximus’ leadership, they’re able to prevail against their better equipped foes, who also have chariots. During the fight, one of the chariots is tipped over, revealing a gas canister that was attached to the back. As advanced as the Romans were, we doubt they were using gasoline in their vehicles yet.
#4: Magic Light Switch
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“Grease” (1978) A classic musical celebrating the 1950s, “Grease” may be about teenage romance, but the biggest gaff, among a surprising number of mistakes, is made by one of the adult characters. While closing up the soda shop for the night, one of the waitresses goes to turn off the light switch with her elbow. However, despite not actually touching the switch, and holding her arm in midair for a few seconds, the lights still go off. While that kind of thing might fly in a stage version of the musical, the fact that it’s immortalized on camera is pretty embarrassing.
#3: Bonk!
“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977) While it may be a hugely influential movie, “A New Hope” isn’t without its rough edges. Despite some sterling effects for the time, the film has its share of screw ups. One of the most notable involves one of the franchise’s infamously incompetent stormtroopers. When the white masked goons break into a control room on the Death Star, one of the stormtroopers visibly smacks his head against the door. Sure, it’s nice to see one of them actually hit something for once – but it would’ve been nice if it were with their guns, and not one of their noggins.
#2: Anachronistic Vehicle
“Braveheart” (1995) There are actually several notable background mistakes in this “historical” epic, but this is easily the biggest. During a famous battle in the movie between the English and the Scottish, the English cavalry charge towards their foes. However, in one shot a white car can be seen behind the charging horses in the distance. One hopes that it was just a passerby who happened by the shoot and not a crew member's vehicle. If the car did belong to the English, it certainly would’ve made their charge more effective. Watch out for spikes! How this one made it through editing, we’ll never know, but it certainly adds some levity upon repeat viewings! Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Fake Drinking “Legally Blonde” (2001) Precut Glass “The Fifth Element” (1997) Surprise Surprise “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) No Cameras at Hogwarts “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002) Vanishing Jacket “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)
#1: Fake Baby
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“American Sniper” (2014) “American Sniper” may tell the story of the deadliest sniper in American military history, Chris Kyle, but it also contains a moment deadly to audiences’ believability. After returning home to spend time with his wife and newborn baby, Kyle holds his son in the boy’s nursery room. The only problem? It’s quite obviously a fake baby. You can literally see actor Bradley Cooper using his thumb to make the doll’s hand move! We get that having real babies on-set can be tough, and special effects and animatronics can be pricey, but come on!
