Factual error: Then, as now, every recruit reporting to boot camp would be tested for illegal drugs, first by a urine test and then by a broad spectrum blood test in the case of a positive result. There is no reason for Elmo to try to hide his stash when the recruits are told they are to be tested - he is going to come up positive anyway. He may as well just say he has changed his mind and walk away. He is entitled to do that any time up to ten days after he signed on, and it happened a lot in real life!
Factual error: Though it's set in England, hospital personnel use American terms like "charts" and "orderly". In any British hospital these should be "case notes" and "porter", respectively .
Factual error: Looking at the dimensions of the low-loader and the dimensions of the ambulance, Victor is laying at 90 degrees to the ambulance as we see a shot from the front of the vehicle (over the lower wishbone). There's no way that he could mend the transmission without his legs sticking out the tarpaulin and not being seen.
Factual error: The boxcars in the opening scene have bar codes, but the film is set in the 1930s.
Factual error: During most of the close action shots of Perseus flying on Pegasus, you should see some wing expansion, but do not - only during the wide pan claymation shots.
Factual error: When Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn are filling the boat up with fuel early in the movie, when the gas pump is shown, Henry Fonda is looking at the pump. $19.00 is the total sale but 29+ gallons purchased, at .67+ cents per gallon... The total sale should be over $19.43, probably closer to $20 but I can't read the fractions of gallons or cents. (00:14:10)
Suggested correction: Those drug tests didn't exist in 81.
Did you watch the film? The recruits are told they are about to take a broad spectrum drug test - not they are going to be searched for drugs, they are going to tested for the presence of illegal drugs in their systems. As has been pointed out such drug tests were mandatory at the time the film is set but that is not important - in the context of the film Elmo's action make no sense as he is going to be tested for drugs. Hiding his stash makes no sense at all as it will not solve his immediate problem. The posting is correct and the correction is nonsensical.
Drug testing of recruits commenced in the United States on a trial basis in 1975 and became compulsory in 1977. In 1981 every single volunteer would have to take a broad spectrum drug test before being allowed to start boot camp.
What specific drug tests didn't exist? Nixon directed a military drug urinalysis program in 1971 and the DoD started random drug testing in 1974 (not that testing deterred drug use).
Bishop73
I enlisted in 1982. I got a single drug test at the meps and didn't get tested again during an entire 3 year enlistment. In fact, I didn't receive a drug test until 2 years into my second enlistment. The military just wasn't as strict on drug testing.
ssgemt