Factual error: While Aron is copying a page from the Utah Canyon-lands guidebook, a location labeled "Aron Ralston's chockstone" can be seen, despite the fact that the film takes place during the incident. This is because the actual Utah Canyons guidebook was used during filming, which had been updated to include said location. (00:39:15)
Continuity mistake: When Aron Ralston falls off the bike he is thrown few yards away of his bike into a bush. However, when he is taking the photo the bike is under his head.
Revealing mistake: The overhead shot of Aron swimming at the end of the film shows him having two full arms.
Factual error: In both scenes with Brian, Aron's boss, he is wearing a T-shirt that can be identified as being a product of the website www.someecards.com. This website did not launch until 2007, but the movie is set in 2003.
Factual error: Though the film takes place in 2003, modern-styled (2010) Mountain Dew cans can be seen during Aron's dream sequence when he attends the party.
Continuity mistake: After swimming in the pool, Aron, Kristi and Megan pose for a picture. The feathers in both girls' hair are on their right. When Aron presses the shutter on the camera, the feather in Megan's hair has switched to her left.
Continuity mistake: In the scene where Aron finds the family who help him, there is a shot of a shadow of Aron with his arm raised in the air. The arm raised is on his left side. For this to be correct, the shadow would have to be cast in front of Aron. However, in the very next shot, Aron's face is lit by the sun, so any shadow would have to be cast behind him. This is contradictory.
Continuity mistake: When Aron cries Kristi's name his hair swaps from messy to brushed.
Factual error: The film takes place in April of 2003 and a flashback shows Aron Ralston attending a Utah Jazz game. However the theme of the basketball court was not used by the Jazz until the start of the 2004-05 NBA season. Additionally the name of the arena displayed on the court is Energy Solutions Arena whereas the building was called the Delta Center until November 2006.
Continuity mistake: When Aron cuts his arm, the amount of blood around his mouth increases or decreases randomly, from very bloody to spotless and back to bloody.
Continuity mistake: The first time Aron tries to cut his arm, he stabs a blunt knife and a blob of blood rushes out. When the angle changes the blob is gone and is a mere stain, then it changes back to the blob, and yet again back to the stain.
Deliberate mistake: During some shots seen from the camera when Aron is filming his diary the camera performs some subtle movements to keep him in frame. These movements are from a tripod as they're too subtle and controlled to be from someone operating the camera with one arm and moving around as much as James Franco was.
Continuity mistake: When Aron, Kristi and Megan are squeezing between the rocks before falling into the pool, Megan changes from bracing with her entire forearm to bracing with just her hand between shots.
Continuity mistake: Aron places his stuff on the rock and the leg on his glasses is either over the watch strap or behind, depending on the angle focusing.
Factual error: The slot canyon with the underground pool that Aron and the girls dive in is nowhere near Blue John Canyon. It is actually the Homestead Resort Crater located in Midway, Utah approximately 200 miles northwest.
Continuity mistake: Aron is taping himself while explaining how he failed to cut his arm. From his POV the rope in front of the camera is falling diagonally away from the lens. From the opposite angle the rope is falling straight parallel to the camera.
Chosen answer: The actual name is Bluejohn Canyon. According to online tourist info for Utah, "It appears to have been named after a minor Robbers Roost outlaw by the name of John Griffith. Griffith had one blue eye and one brown eye and thus was saddled with the nickname "Blue John." It is recognized that he kept stolen horses in the area, perhaps watering them at nearby springs. In the fall of 1899 Griffith is reported to have put in at Hite with a small boat with the intention of reaching Lee's Ferry. He was never heard from again."
raywest ★