Movie Masterpiece: Titanic

Last night I watched Titanic in it's entirety, for the first time in a while, and came to the conclusion that it is to be considered an epic masterpiece; in the likes of Lord of the Rings, Schindler's List, Reds or Gladiator to name a few. I've seen it multiple teams over the years, usually on TV, and have always considered it in top regards, however now feel it deserves to be ranked among the greatest films of all time.

This is because it succeeds on a grand scale in every category of film-making there is. It is a non-stop awe-inspiring experience from it's visual effects, plot-line, acting, choreography, soundtrack, directing, editing, sound-mixing, etc. It's no wonder this film, directed by James Cameron, cleaned up at the 1997 Academy Awards. It collected 14 nominations and 11 wins one of the most of any films and rightfully deserved. It's a visual wonder with a story to match, unlike anything before it, and truly a work of cinema art. I believe what makes this film so sensational, is it's romantic plot-line submerged in the historical catastrophe of the Titanic.

Historical Element

This film does a phenomenal job of giving the viewer a visual idea of what the historical disaster might have been like. It especially captures the magnificence of this mighty ship, through vivid detail of the interior and exterior. It was a ten deck vessel, the largest ship of it's time and truly must have been a wonder to be seen. It was meticulously designed by the naval architect, Thomas Andrews, and was considered an unsinkable ship. However this pride in it's design was it's greatest flaw, and it's lack of lifeboats made it's sinking one of the deadliest maritime disasters in peacetime history.

On April 10th of 1912 the RMS Titanic made it's maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. It was commanded by Captain Edward Smith, who was preparing to retire after at the age of 62 after this final voyage. The ships passengers ranged from some of the wealthiest people in the world such as John Jacob Astor and Margaret Molly Brown who simply wanted to be a part of history. There were also many lower class members and immigrants looking to start a new life in America. The passengers were divided into three classes, in which their value determined their service level.

On April 14th, at 11:40 pm the Titanic suddenly spotted an iceberg in the hazy night and were unable to avoid hitting it. The iceberg struck the starboard side of the ship, creating a series of holes below the waterline that quickly flooded five of the ships watertight compartments. The ship only had a couple hours before it would be fully submerged in water, and this led to an emergency evacuation. Passengers were asked to wear their life vests, and remain calm as women and children were first loaded into the lifeboats. A violin concerto, led by Wallace Hartley, played on the deck to try to avoid a panic and eventually went down with the ship.

The ship's crew were ill-prepared for such a situation and only filled the lifeboats half full. Many of the women and children were able to safely evacuate the ship, while most the male passengers and crew went down with the ship. It took about 3 hours after the ship had struck the iceberg, to break in half and fully sink.

710 passengers were saved, while 1500 quickly died of hypothermia in the freezing cold waters. This included the captain, the architect, several upper class members, and mostly lower class and crew members. The remaining survivors were later collected at 4am by the RMS Carpathia, which had responded to its distress call. One can only imagine the horrific scene that it was, however the film does an incredible job of capturing what a dramatic situation it may have been.

Romantic Element

James Cameron has succeed in his direction of this film by romanticizing the historical tragedy. This is achieved through a scale model of the Titanic, incredible visual and audio effects, thousands of extras, period costumes and makeup, and a powerful score from James Horner and the voice of Celine Dion.

However the key element of this film, is the romantic dynamic between Jack Dawson and Rose Bukater played brilliantly by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. It is a passionate rags-to-riches-love-story; the usual plot of rich girl falls for the poor boy. However it is intensified all the more with the complications of a love affair and the catastrophe of the sinking ship. This setting and story makes for one of the greatest romance films of all time in my opinion.

Rose is a first class passenger unhappy with her soon to be marriage to a successful businessman. Jack is a third class passenger and a very enthusiastic artist who lives for the moment. The two meet when Jack stops her from committing suicide, and tells her he's now "involved", a clever way of saying he is hopelessly in love with her. An instant connection is formed, despite the social barriers between them. Most of this restraint is due to their complete opposite social classes. Rose's snooty mother, her wealthy fiance, and her fiance's bodyguard become aware of this attraction, and intent to bring an end to it. Jack and Rose thus engage in a scandalous love affair fueled by passion. They flee together from their constraints as they laugh, dance, embrace, and make love on the ship. Despite all the barriers between them they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together once the ship lands.

However tragedy suddenly occurs, and soon their relationship has become all the more dire. Even as the calamity begins to unfold they are still inseparable. They are at full union as they constantly save one another in the midst of doom. Sadly their relationship, just like the sinking boat, comes to a tragic end in the freezing water. Jack has accepted his death and tells Rose he has no regrets, and wishes her a long life of happiness. He freezes in the water, while Rose is later rescued. She goes on to live her own life in America with her valuable diamond necklace.

At the end of this film, in present day, it is clear that Rose has lived a full life, married with children and grandchildren. However it seems obvious that her heart was always with Jack after sharing her story. After she tells her story she drops her valuable heart shaped diamond into the ocean, perhaps a metaphor that her heart was indeed always with Jack. After this she lies in a bed, and appears to have some form of dream or perhaps an ascension in the afterlife. In this vision she is reunited with her one true love on-board the Titanic. It is a heavenly scene and the perfect ending to this masterful film.