Filmmaking is a complex process involving numerous departments, and costume design is just one of many essential aspects. Even though it is a single component, it requires extensive research and collaboration. Costume designers must study the historical period of the film to ensure accuracy. After creating the costumes, they must be approved by the director, who may request adjustments. Actors must then wear them correctly, while hair and makeup teams ensure continuity in appearance. Additionally, continuity teams work to maintain consistency in every scene, and editors review footage to catch any inconsistencies. Despite these efforts, costume-related mistakes can still make their way into the final cut. Here are some notable examples:
‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’: An Extra Crew Member
In the dueling scene of the second Harry Potter film, a crew member can be spotted standing among the students in the background. To avoid reshooting, the scene was darkened in post-production, but the individual remains visible upon closer inspection.
‘The Wizard of Oz’: Dorothy’s Changing Hair Length
The Wizard of Oz is a classic film, but it contains a number of continuity errors. One noticeable inconsistency is the length of Dorothy’s hair, which alternates between different lengths in various scenes. Since films are often not shot in sequence, maintaining perfect continuity can be challenging, and reshoots can sometimes result in noticeable differences.
‘Braveheart’: Kilts from a Later Era
The historical drama Braveheart is well known for its portrayal of Scottish history, but the costumes are not entirely accurate to the time period. The film is set in the 13th century, yet the characters wear kilts, which were not commonly worn until the 16th century. While the face paint used in the film aligns with historical references, the inclusion of kilts was a creative choice rather than a historical one.
‘Dirty Dancing’: Modern-Style Jean Shorts
Dirty Dancing is set in the 1960s, but the main character, Baby, is seen wearing denim shorts that resemble styles that gained widespread popularity in the 1970s. While fashion trends evolve gradually, this particular style was not as common during the time period in which the film is set.
‘The Last Samurai’: Outdated Armor
In The Last Samurai, Tom Cruise’s character, a retired U.S. officer, joins a group of samurai in 19th-century Japan. However, the armor worn in the film is more reflective of earlier centuries rather than the 1870s. While the film takes inspiration from historical events, the choice of armor appears to be based more on aesthetics than period accuracy.
‘Pirates of the Caribbean’: Incorrect British Military Uniforms
The first Pirates of the Caribbean film takes place in the 1720s, yet the British soldiers in the movie wear bright red coats commonly associated with the later 18th century. During the film’s time period, British military uniforms were typically a darker shade of red, known as madder red, with the brighter scarlet coats reserved for specific ranks.
‘Django Unchained’: Sunglasses Out of Time
In Django Unchained, the main character wears round sunglasses that were not common in 1858 America, the film’s setting. However, this choice was intentional rather than an oversight, as director Quentin Tarantino often incorporates stylistic elements that may not align with historical accuracy.
‘Jurassic Park’: Hair Continuity Error
Jurassic Park is widely recognized for its impressive visual effects and attention to detail. However, in one scene, a lead character’s hairstyle appears neat in one shot and noticeably messier in the next. While a minor inconsistency, it highlights how difficult it is to maintain perfect continuity in film production.
‘The Mummy’: Sudden Position Changes
While not a costume mistake, The Mummy contains a noticeable continuity error during a key action scene. In one moment, two characters are positioned on one side of the main character, and in the next, they appear on the opposite side. The director later acknowledged that this was due to the removal of a few scenes that would have shown them changing positions.
‘John Carter of Mars’: Costumes Differ from the Source Material
In John Carter, the costume design for Princess Dejah Thoris differs from the descriptions found in the original book series. While the film’s version of her outfit is still elaborate, it is more modest compared to the source material. This change was likely made to align with modern cinematic standards.
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