Titanic at 25: A Deep Dive Into Its Enduring Success

By: Kelly Oakley

It’s been 25 years since James Cameron’s cinematic masterpiece, Titanic, sailed into theatres. We were swept up in the romantic tale of Jack and Rose, the star-crossed lovers whose tragic end saw Jack sacrifice himself for Rose in the depths of the Atlantic.

Even after 25 years, the iconic scenes of Titanic continue to be adored, such as Jack holding Rose at the prow during the ship’s last sunset. The movie has attained a level of perpetuity that only a few films achieve. Younger generations still watch this timeless masterpiece, and its famous quote “I’m the king of the world” remains popular among anachronistic youth.

Titanic release

Titanic is a work of historical fiction that seamlessly blends tragedy, romance, and precision to create an emotionally impactful experience. The film was a hit upon its release. Praised by reviewers, The New York Times called it a magnificent spectacle that invited comparison to “Gone With the Wind.”

Despite some criticism from certain critics, the movie went on to win an unprecedented eleven Academy Awards, a feat only accomplished by two other films since the Academy’s inception in 1929.

The real Titanic

The Titanic’s sinking is one of the most harrowing and well-known tragedies in American history. Built in Belfast Harbour by White Star Line and Harland and Wolff, the RMS Titanic was the largest ship afloat at the time of its completion in 1911.

It boasted ten decks of ornate baroque interiors, luxurious amenities such as a gymnasium, cigar lounge, and heated swimming pool, but tragically lacked enough lifeboats to accommodate all passengers due to outdated safety regulations and complacency from White Star Line. This oversight sealed the fate of many men, women, and children onboard.

The sinking of the Titanic

On April 10th, 1912, the much-anticipated voyage of the Titanic set sail from Southampton, England, bound for New York. However, the voyage of hope quickly turned tragic on April 14th, when the 46,329-ton ship struck a 400-feet long iceberg.

In just two hours and forty minutes, the “unsinkable” Titanic sank to the ocean floor, claiming the lives of 1,517 passengers. The tradition of initially loading lifeboats with women and children caused delays, leading to them being launched with insufficient passengers. As a result, just over 700 people survived.

As the Titanic sank, the ship’s band played music to soothe terrified passengers. The crew launched fireworks to attract attention from other ships, but the effort failed as the sinking was mistaken for celebration. Only two out of the twenty lifeboats returned to retrieve passengers from the icy water, leaving many to drown or freeze to death.

The Titanic today

In 1985, the once-majestic Titanic was discovered by oceanographer Robert Ballard, 73 years after it sunk to the ocean floor. Resting two and a half miles below sea level, the vessel was a haunting sight, stripped of life, purpose, and grandeur. The debris field spanned an area of 15 square miles, with the ship’s hull buried under 45 feet of mud and silt, concealing its once-beautiful features from the world.

In 2022, new footage of the Titanic revealed astonishing detail and is said to be the highest quality capture of the sunken ship.

James Cameron’s commitment to historical accuracy

In 1996, renowned director and writer James Cameron undertook the production of Titanic in Mexico, building a meticulous scale replica of half of the ship.

He went to great lengths to bring authenticity to the story, bringing an etiquette coach to teach the actors about the mannerisms of 1912’s upper class, recreating the ship’s interior based on original drawings and photographs, and enlisting the original manufacturer of the ship’s carpet to recreate the furnishings. Cameron also commissioned similar re-creations of sculptures and woodwork, even ensuring the ashtrays matched those used by the White Star Line with precise accuracy.

Setting the scene for success

In Titanic, the story begins with a team of deep-sea explorers led by the narcissistic Brock Lovett, portrayed by Bill Paxton, who embark on a mission to search for treasure in the wreckage of the ship. The crew bravely dives 12,000 feet in a submersible, discovering a sketch of a scantily clad woman wearing the prized Heart of the Ocean pendant.

The 101-year-old Rose, captivatingly played by Gloria Stuart, claims to be the woman in the drawing and shares the story of her unforgettable journey aboard the Titanic. As Rose narrates the tale, she helps the exploration team understand the emotional weight of their findings and the significance of the ship’s tragic legacy.

The radiant Rose DeWitt Bukater boards the Titanic with her wealthy and tyrannical fiancé, Cal Hockley, whom she reluctantly agreed to marry under the pressure of her foolish mother. The ship carries passengers from a range of economic backgrounds, with third-class passengers subjected to hygiene inspections and lice checks, highlighting the social divide.

Meanwhile, the charming and youthful Jack Dawson wins a third-class ticket in a poker game at a nearby tavern. Soon after boarding, Jack finds himself in steerage on the “Ship of Dreams,” reveling in his victory and showcasing his adventurous spirit as a refreshing antidote to Rose’s suffocating world.

When Jack and Rose meet

Jack and Rose’s fateful first encounter takes place at the stern of the ship, where Jack heroically saves a trapped and suicidal Rose from plunging into the icy depths of the Atlantic. From the outset, the stark contrast between their socioeconomic backgrounds is made clear: Rose feels trapped and suffocated by the confines of her wealthy upbringing, while Jack embodies a carefree spirit and a lust for life that transcends money.

As their relationship unfolds throughout the film, Jack helps Rose to break free from the shackles of her privileged existence and embrace a life of adventure and self-discovery, urging her to let go of the past and discover who she truly is.

Parallels between the Titanic and Rose

James Cameron aimed to give the Titanic a character of its own, drawing parallels between the ship and the film’s protagonist, Rose. Both are depicted as prized possessions of men, with the ship serving as a self-gratifying symbol of male dominance. Cal sees Rose as his property, demanding that she honors him like a wife obeys her husband.

Meanwhile, Ismay, the chairman of the White Star Line, boasts of the Titanic’s grandeur, calling it “the largest moving object ever made by the hand of man in all of history” during a dinner party. But in the end, the ship’s demise becomes a metaphor for Rose’s journey towards independence and womanhood, as she sheds the constraints of a society that values possessions over individuality.

From love story to tragedy

At the 90-minute mark, Titanic shifts its tone from a love story to a tragedy. After spending time watching Jack and Rose’s romance unfold, as they explore every corner of the ship, the unthinkable happens—the Titanic collides with an iceberg, setting in motion the events that will lead to its eventual demise. The ship sinks over the course of two hours and forty minutes, giving the film enough time to make a deep emotional impact on its viewers.

As chaos and panic set in, passengers fight for their lives and the limited number of lifeboats available. The sinking of the Titanic becomes a haunting tale of human nature, offering endless displays of gallantry or cowardice, all against the backdrop of that last, caliginous night, with passengers adrift in icy seas, forever etched in our memories.

An unforgettable ending

The heart-wrenching ending is what makes Titanic so emotionally powerful. Jack and Rose fight for survival in the ocean, amongst 1,500 other souls. Rose has nestled on a plank of wood, while Jack remains unprotected in the unsurvivable water. He tells her to live a fulfilling life and ultimately sacrifices himself to ensure her survival.

Why did Jack have to die?

Jack’s death is a tragic reminder that life is fragile and can be taken away at any moment. However, he exists to empower Rose, and once his purpose is fulfilled, he’s gone.

The film cuts back to an older Rose, who has kept Jack alive in her heart all these years. She returns the Heart of the Ocean pendant to the ocean, symbolizing her letting go of the past and moving on with her life. The film’s ending reminds us to cherish every moment and to make the most of our time on earth. Love can endure, even when people are gone, and we should make each day count.

Titanic’s enduring legacy

After more than two decades, Titanic’s buoyancy has remained a testament to incredible filmmaking. Director James Cameron’s expert pacing and storytelling leave an indelible mark, compelling viewers to return to the film time and time again. Simply put, Titanic is a true gem of the film industry that is too good to sink.