Factual error: CIA headquarters in Langley has its own firefighting unit and never, ever calls for outside help. In fact it is official CIA policy that they would rather have a building and its contents burn to the ground than allow unauthorised access by firefighters they know nothing about.
Mission: Impossible (1996)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: Brian De Palma
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Ving Rhames, Jean Reno, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vanessa Redgrave, Henry Czerny, Emmanuelle Béart
Jim Phelps (Voight) finds Ethan at the trian station in London and tells him that Kittridge is the mole. Ethan pretends to believe him but he actually has got it all figured out (that Phelps faked his own death and killed the rest of the team) and tells Phelps about the exchange on the trian so he will turn up. On the train Ethan gives Max the NOC list and Luther sends a jamming signal so she can't send it. Meanwhile Ethan (disguised as Phelps) tests Claire to see if she knew about all of what happining. It turns out she knew about Phelps and Ethan reveals himself. Phelps then comes out with a gun and is busted when Ethan puts on the camera glasses and then Phelps shoots claire, killing her. He goes on the roof of the trian to be picked up by Kriger(Reno) in a chopper. (Who now we know works for Phelps). Ethan attaches the chopper to the trian and Phelps jumps on the chopper. So does Ethan and he sticks the explosive gum on the chopper killing Kriger and Phelps. Max is busted by Kittridge and Luther and Ethan and let back in to IMF.
More mistakes in Mission: Impossible
Franz Krieger: If we're going to Virginia why don't we drop by Fort Knox? I could fly a helicopter through the lobby and set it down right inside the vault. And it would be a hell of a lot easier than breaking into the goddamn CIA.
Trivia: Director Brian De Palma reportedly had creative difficulties with Tom Cruise, who was also a producer and thus had final say in the decisions made during production. While this has been disputed, many have noted the fact that De Palma did very little press for the film (including "politely excusing" himself from scheduled media interviews at the last moment) and never took up an offer to record an audio commentary for the film as evidence.
Question: Did Ethan actually know it was a mole hunt to trap Jim, or was he oblivious until he worked it out at the train station?
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Answer: Ethan never thought it was a mole hunt to trap Jim. He found out from Kittridge at the restaurant that it was a mole hunt, but Kittridge believes that Ethan is the mole (the money his parents mysteriously receive). At the station Ethan realises that Jim must be the mole since it is too convenient both he and his wife survived. However, the hunt to catch the mole was never directed at Jim - Kittridge never suspected him until at the end when he sees Jim alive.
swordfish
Actually had suspicions before Jim showed up. Ethan found the Bible that was stamped from the Drake Hotel. Where Jim had literally just come back from before the mission. It made no sense otherwise why that would be in Jim's possession.