10 Insanely Accurate War Film Details

10. Eldridge's Tabasco Sauce - The Hurt Locker

Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker received critical acclaim for its ultra-intense portrayal of a soldier's wartime existence and the deep psychological toll that armed conflict exacts on those involved.

The Hurt Locker's combat and bomb disposal sequences feature a spectacular level of attention to detail, reflecting the production's consultation with real-life military experts. The attire, weaponry and equipment used by Jeremy Renner and Co. are all rooted in that of real US ordnance and equipment from the Iraq War, subtly underlining the film's emphasis on the individual soldier's experience as opposed to the broader complexities of the conflict.

One of Bigelow's more intricate touches can be seen attached to the name tag of Brian Geraghty's Specialist Owen Eldridge. Upon close inspection, Eldridge is shown to have a small bottle of Tabasco sauce strapped to the front of his uniform. It's such a bizarre inclusion amongst the camouflaged gear and high-tech armaments that it seems like a blatant mistake.

However, a little digging reveals a long and storied history between the US military and the hot sauce. Tabasco has long been used by soldiers in order to spice up bland MRE rations - it's even chronologically accurate. The sauce has been included in field packs since 1990, 14 years before The Hurt Locker takes place.