Can I tell you how excited I am??? I am the biggest Titanic fan…even though it tends to get a little cheesy at times. I’ve been fascinated and obsessed with the shipwreck for as long as I can remember. In college I wrote a research paper on the wreck and the history behind the ship. So, imagine my excitement that the story was being made into a film in 1997. I remember being in the theater, 21 years old, completely mesmerized by the flashbacks and how accurate James Cameron made everything look. All the photos and people I had studied were coming alive on film. It has remained one of my favorite films since.
So, I can’t wait to see the film again in 3D when it comes to theaters on April 4. Will you go? Here’s some trivia about the film to get you as excited as I am:
—When James Cameron decided to include real footage of the Titanic’s remains on the seabed, he did not want to simply shoot from inside a submersible as had been done for the IMAX documentary Titanica. To allow filming from outside the sub, Cameron’s brother Mike Cameron and Panavision developed a deep-sea camera system capable of withstanding the 400 atmospheres of pressure at that depth.
—12 dives were necessary. On the last two dives, shots were taken by sending a remotely operated vehicle into the wreck; James Cameron had intended using this device only as a prop.
—James Cameron went on the dives to the real Titanic himself, and found it an overwhelming emotional experience to actually see it. He ended up spending more time with the ship than its living passengers did.
—Most of the decor on the ship was either reconstructed by or under the supervision of researchers of the White Star Line, the original company which constructed and furnished the Titanic.
—The scenes during which Thomas Andrews chastises Second Office Charles Lightoller for sending the boats away without filling them to capacity is the only scene in the entire film in which the actors’ breath was not digitally added in later.
—The staircase is not actually technically accurate being slightly larger in the film than it was in real life. This is because people in 1997 were actually a bit taller than in 1912 so they would have looked out of place on a staircase that fit the correct dimensions.
—The “full-size” ship exterior set was constructed in a tank on a beach south of Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico. Construction started on the 85th anniversary of the real Titanic’s launch – May 31, 1996 (see also A Night to Remember). To reduce costs, the number of instances of some repeated components (such as windows) was reduced, and other parts (such as the funnels and lifeboats) were built at 90% scale to produce the correct visual appearance. The set was oriented to face into the prevailing wind so that the smoke from the funnels would blow the right way.
—Gloria Stuart, being only 86, was aged by makeup to play Rose at age 101. She did not find this a pleasant experience.
—The most expensive first-class suite on the Titanic cost $4,350, the equivalent of about $75,000 today.
—Gloria Stuart was the only person who worked in the production of the film who was actually living in 1912.
—Reba McEntire was offered and had accepted the role of Molly Brown, but due to later schedule conflicts, had to turn it down.
—Kate Winslet was one of the few actors who didn’t want to wear a wetsuit during the water scenes; as a result, she got pneumonia, and nearly quit the production as a result. However, Cameron persuaded her to stay.
—The hands seen sketching Rose are not Leonardo DiCaprio‘s, but director James Cameron‘s. In post-production, Cameron, who is left-handed, mirror-imaged the sketching shots so the artist would be appear to be right-handed, like DiCaprio.
And photos of the original tragedy:
All photos courtesy of Google images
Trivia courtesy of IMDB
I can’t wait to see it again. It’s one of my favorites and never fails to make me cry.
I am excited to see it again. And I am not that into 3D movies
I love this movie too and cannot wait!!! It’s actually released in time for my birthday weekend so I’m planning a trip to see it!
Victoria xxx
Oh I cannot wait to see the movie again.
I wrote a post about this a few weeks ago and was surprised by how many people are as excited about it as I am! I love it so much! Fun facts you included!!! I hope I don’t get a headache seeing it in 3D. Hahaha. I’m so old!
I.can’t.freaking.wait.to see this movie again on the big screen. I remember seeing it for the first time like it was yesterday. And I LOVE your trivia! I only knew 2 of those fun facts! I’m deg going to see this when it comes back out next month. Great post girl!
Part of me always thinks that Jack might make it this time. It will be awesome to see it in theatres again!
I loved learning more about the production, and such! What a cool post! I’ve always loved the history behind the Titanic. One of my Uncle’s something uncles was one of the few men pulled from the water. Crazy, right?
But I have to admit that I detest the film. Though I’m impressed by the set accuracy! I just don’t love the story the choose to tell.
I so wish it wasn’t in 3D. It make me queasy! Heart that flick!
Soooo interesting! I loved Titanic (sadly i can’t see 3-D movies) but the tidbits of information you gave were so fun!
Like you, I am (and always have been) a huge titanic fan. Not the movie so much BUT I was obsessed with the original ship. Great post
xo
I must say, I AM a crazy fan of the Titanic! And Leonardo and Kate! I had posters in my room, calendars, T-Shirts and anything else you can think of that was related to Titanic! But I had no clue that the drawing scene was James Cameron’s hands! Great info! Thanks for sharing!!!
What an incredible post! I loved reading all of the movie-magic facts. When I was a freshman in college James Cameron came and spoke to us about the production. It was so cool to see how passionately he dove into making the movie!
Great post. I love history and loved this movie.
When this movie came out I was in 8th grade and I saw it in the theatre with my BFF over 10 times! Lol!! We were totaly in love w/ Mr. DiCaprio. Kind of still am. 🙂
One of my favorite movies of all time! I saw it twice in the theater and many, many more times on DVD. Great post Kori!
Love this movie!! Will be great to see it in Theatre.
I remember seeing this movie in the 7th grade when it came out in a brand new movie theatre. OMG what an experience. So excited!
i looovvveee the titanic! i cry EVERY time. i’ve always been super fascinated by the original story as well…. and those photos too. great post!
Xxx.