Finding Neverland (2004)
Goofs
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Anachronisms (1) |
Continuity (6) |
Crew or equipment visible (1) |
Factual errors (1) |
Miscellaneous (1) |
Spoilers (2)
Anachronisms
The first scene of "Finding Neverland", is set in 1903, the opening night of James Barrie's play "Little Mary". The vehicle in which Mr & Mrs Snow arrive is a Rolls-Royce model 40/50 HP, also known as a "Silver Ghost". This is an anachronism. The Rolls-Royce company was formed in 1904, with production of the 40/50 HP started in 1907. Moreover, the car has a "Flying Lady" mascot on the radiator which was not designed by Charles Sykes until 1911. The specific car is identifiable from its registration number - BM 8794. It is chassis number 1979, which was delivered new on 10th May 1912. The car used to drive to the summer cottage is a Mitchell Tourer, made in Racine Wisconsin, USA. Although the Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company was founded in 1903, the model in the film appears to be about 1911, judging by the shape and style of the lettering on the radiator. It's certainly no earlier than 1910.
Continuity
When Barrie is rebuffing Peter for saying Porthos is just a dog, the stuffed toys behind Peter change orientation in relation to Peter at least twice.
When J.M. gets out of the car when they are on their way to the cottage to shoo off the sheep, the road is muddy with puddles all around. When he gets back in the car, the road is perfectly fine.
Barrie's dog "changes" between two dogs throughout the film. In the scene where Barrie dances with his dog, the dog he dances with has a tinge of ginger in his hair, whereas before the dog did not.
When Barrie is explaining the concept of the play to Frohman, there is a car approaching them from behind as they walk down the street. The position of the car changes dramatically between shots, though the continuity of the conversation is unchanged.
When Peter is knocking down the stage for his play he steps over the "sun", but in the next shot he grabs it from its spot leaning against a wall.
While they are watching the play in the Davies' home Michael goes from leaning onto his mother to sitting up straight to leaning on his mother again.
Crew or equipment visible
When Peter is knocking over his set for his play, a man in a t-shirt, blue jeans and a baseball cap is reflected in the window.
Factual errors
As with most factually-based movies, many people and incidents from J.M. Barrie's biography are conflated and rearranged for dramatic purposes.
Miscellaneous
How did J M Barrrie get an orchestra into the house without anyone knowing.
Spoilers
Character error
When Mrs. Barrie confesses her adultery to her husband, she says that he "will have heard about Gilbert and I"; this should be "Gilbert and me."
Factual errors
There was much literary license taken regarding J.M. Barrie and his relationships with key characters. He and his wife didn't divorce until several years after the film's time period. Also, Sylvia's husband didn't die several years after the film; Sylvia didn't until 1910, six years after the Peter Pan premiere. Barrie knew the boys for several years before their apparent first meeting.
