MovieChat Forums > Donnie Brasco (1997) Discussion > John Wayne dead in June 1979, but there'...

John Wayne dead in June 1979, but there's 2 feet of snow in New Jersey?

posted 9 years ago by Justin C
3 replies | jump to latest

So about halfway or so through the movie, a character holds up the New York Post with John Wayne has died on the cover, so it's June 1979, but it's 12 degrees and 2 feet of snow in New Jersey? Couldn't they have done a little research on the chronological facts? Also some of the songs were anachronistic, like Neil Diamond's "Love on the Rocks" being played in early 1979 when that song didn't come out until late 1980. Maybe it's my OCD, maybe not many others care about this stuff, but anachronisms like this always bother me in a period piece like this.

[–] mastersslave74 9 years ago

Actually, the wife said he was away for three months. I questioned it when the wife was shoveling snow and later Pacino says it's Mother's Day... but once the wife said he was gone for 3 mos.. it does make sense... I like in NJ and have had large amounts of snow in March. Also, here, holy communion is usually in the spring. By the girl's communion, it was already established he had been gone for a long time.

As far as the music, I couldn't tell you.. but that is my observation.

[–] Humboldtdda 9 years ago

Well in reality Pistone's family was moved all over the country 9 months into the 6-year operation for their protection. They didn't stay in NJ. Good catch though. There would not have been snow in June of '79!

[–] travise1986 9 years ago

They also got the date for the death of 'the boss' Galante wrong. He was killed in July 1979 but in the movie when they're in the car and Lefty has the paper and is talking about the hit, it appears that it's still winter.