Hollywood has a lot to answer for when it comes to landmines. The dramatic “click” when a hero steps on one, followed by a tense moment of lifting the foot slowly before running—it’s pure fiction. In reality:
- Landmines do not make a soft “click” sound when stepped on.
- They do not wait for pressure to be lifted before exploding.
- Detonation happens the moment sufficient pressure is applied.
Landmines are explosive devices designed to destroy or disable targets—vehicles, personnel, or animals—that pass over or near them. Most anti-personnel mines require 5–15 kg (11–33 lbs) of pressure to trigger, exploding instantly upon activation. There is no audible warning, no dramatic delay—just immediate, devastating force.
Common Types and How They Work
- Blast Mines (e.g., PMN, VS-50): Pressure on the top plate compresses a spring, releasing a firing pin into the detonator. Boom—instantly.
- Bounding Mines (e.g., Valmara 69): Initial pressure launches the mine into the air before it explodes at waist height.
- Tripwire Mines: Activated by tension on a wire—no “click” or lift delay.
The “click and lift” trope likely stems from movie sound design for suspense, seen in films like No Man’s Land (2001) or video games. Real mines offer no such mercy.
The Real Danger
Over 110 million landmines remain in 60+ countries, killing or maiming 4,000–5,000 people yearly (mostly civilians). Organizations like the HALO Trust and MAG work to clear them, but myths can endanger lives—believing in a “click” might encourage risky behavior.
Lessons for Today
This myth highlights how media shapes perception. Like the De Loys ape hoax or the Eltanin Antenna mystery, fiction can obscure truth—with deadly consequences.
Landmines don’t click. They don’t wait. They just explode.
Stay safe. Stay informed.
