There is both laughing and crying to be done during The Lord of the Rings, but one goof is even funnier for appearing twice. Although Peter Jackson’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies are some of the best fantasy pictures in existence, they make mistakes too. Adapting the three-part novel by English high fantasy originator J.R.R. Tolkien was an involved task, involving condensing ample subject matter, cutting many characters, and amplifying the roles of others. Despite the many changes Jackson made, one of his biggest mistakes was actually on set.

The world of The Lord of the Rings was created meticulously by New Line Cinema and WingNut Films, with Wētā Workshop at the helm of much of the character, costume, and prop design. The New Zealand setting of the movies was as mind-blowing as the intricate costumes, with sH๏τs panning over stunning landscapes that were burned into the minds of millions. But a couple of sH๏τs from the opening scenes of the trilogy were memorable for other reasons, including the unintentional inclusion of certain modern-day objects that didn’t quite belong in Middle-earth.

If You Look Closely, You Can See A Car In The Background Of The Shire In The Fellowship Of The Ring

Peter Jackson Missed One Key Detail In The Fellowship Of The Ring

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ending was nearly perfect, but its beginning made a hilarious mistake. As the idyllic Shire setting is introduced alongside Howard Shore’s iconic theme, one car is missed barreling along a road in the background of a sH๏τ. This humorous mistake isn’t totally clear to those who have their eyes on the foreground, but it is definitely enough to dislodge someone’s suspension of disbelief. This is especially the case because evidence of modern-day vehicles appears again in the Shire, at another point.

There Are Also Tire Tracks During Gandalf’s Visit To The Shire In The Lord Of The Rings

The Shire Didn’t Appear Entirely Otherworldly In Lord Of The Rings

Although Hobbiton, located in the Shire, was an otherworldly locale set in the heart of Middle-earth, some tire tracks brought eagle-eyed viewers back down to earth for the minute they were viewable. This is another funny goof made during The Fellowship of the Ring, doubled in comedy value by it being the second instance of viewable contemporary infrastructure in the movie. Although subtle, the tire tracks can be seen behind the wagon of Gandalf, one of Lord of the Rings’ five Wizards, or Istari, as they are known in Quenya.

Gandalf moved his wagon down the dirt track near the start of The Fellowship of the Ring, with many curious children in tow. The kids’ endearing fascination with Gandalf was luckily distracting enough for many viewers not to notice that the wagon’s tracks didn’t exactly reflect the wagon’s wheels. There were tire tracks instead, making the two members of the Fellowship of the Ring on board the wagon appear to be operating a most magical and mysterious chariot indeed. Regardless, any errors in The Lord of the Rings were excused due to their majesty, celebrated by fans and critics alike.