Best war movie factual errors of 1953

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Stalag 17 picture

Factual error: When Lt. Dunbar is being interrogated in the Commandant's office you can see a map on the far wall. It is a map of Germany dictated by the Treaty of Versailles which ended World War I because it shows E. Prussia separated from Germany and does not include the annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia. These annexations were completed before the start of World War II in '39 and certainly before late '44, early '45 when the film took place. It is highly unlikely any German officer would have this map displayed not only because it's inaccurate but because it displayed the territorial losses brought on by the humiliating defeat of World War I.

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From Here To Eternity picture

Factual error: As the first wave of Japanese bombers approach the harbor, there is a brief shot of Pearl Harbor. In the background an aircraft can be seen. There were no carriers in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

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The Cruel Sea picture

Factual error: The footage of the Murmansk convoy firing at attacking German planes is actually Pacific footage of Kamikaze attacks. The density of the fire was only possible because of the lavish AA available then, unlike the meager AA of convoy escorts.

Larry Redfield

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Sailor of the King picture

Factual error: If we are to assume that the British cruisers were Dido class with 5.25" guns, the assertion that the Essen would outrange them by 5000 yards is pretty much true. However, in order for the Brits to launch torpedoes, they would have had to close to inside of 20K yards, well within range of their main guns. Thus said, if the British cruisers were any of their 6 inch gun class, there would have been no advantage in range.

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