THE TITANIC - MAIDEN VOYAGE - 10 April 1912

 

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Titanic’s keel was laid on March 22, 1909.  For the next twenty-six months, Harland & Wolff’s shipyard workers labored nine hours a day, six days a week, to construct her massive hull (98/0001.A1).  The White Star flagships would have both reciprocating steam engines, the norm for the period, and a turbine engine to power the center of three propellers.  Moreover, a double-plated bottom and a sophisticated system of watertight compartments provided the utmost in security.  

 

 

 

Titanic moored at Southampton

 

 

The Titanic was conceived in 1907 and met with disaster in 1912, a brief existence but one fraught with all the drama of a Greek tragedy.  It was the beginning of the twentieth century, a time of optimism and progress. The transatlantic transport of passengers, cargo, and mail was brisk and competitive.  In the spirit of this competition, managing director of the White Star Line, J. Bruce Ismay, engaged the Belfast shipbuilding company of Harland & Wolff to build three leviathans that would become the largest moving objects created by man.  The three Royal Mail Ships were to be called Olympic, Titanic, and Gigantic.  Gigantic was later re-named Britannic. The ships were to be virtually identical in size and structure, but Titanic was to be the true shining star.

 

On May 31, 1911, her superstructure completed, Titanic slipped gracefully into the River Lagan launched on twenty-two tons of tallow, train oil, and soap, and was towed to the fitting out basin. It was now time for the three thousand carpenters, engineers, electricians, plumbers, painters, master mechanics, and interior designers to fit the Titanic with the latest in marine technology and the most sumptuous fixtures and furniture. Finally, on April 2, 1912 she was ready. Certified seaworthy, Harland & Wolff handed her over to the White Star Line and the Royal Mail Triple-Screw Steamer Titanic departed for her place in history.

 

 

 

Tugs take Titanic out to sea

 

 

Technology had been delivering a steady stream of miracles for the better part of two decades and people were beginning to take this spiral of progress for granted.  What better demonstration of humanity's mastery over nature than the launch of Titanic.  She was the largest and most luxurious moving object ever built by the hand of man, billed as unsinkable.  Four-and-a-half days later, the world had changed.  The maiden voyage of the "ship of dreams" ended as a nightmare beyond fiction and the loss of hundreds of lives.  Mankind's faith in its own indomitable power was severely shaken, the result of arrogance, complacency and greed.

 

 

TITANIC MOVIE BLOCKBUSTER 1997

 

Not to discredit the three earlier Titanic films, James Cameron's "Titanic" is an epic, action-packed romance set against the ill-fated maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic, the pride and joy of the White Star Line and, at the time, the largest moving object ever built. She was the most luxurious liner of her era.  They called her the "ship of dreams" which ultimately carried over 1,500 people to their death in the ice cold waters of the North Atlantic in the early hours of April 15, 1912.  Cameron's film benefits from modern effects and modern diving equipment, which coupled with superb direction and great performances keeps you riveted from the start.  

 

The journey of "Titanic" begins in the present, at the site of the ship's watery grave, two-and-a-half miles under the ocean surface. This twist works really well.  An ambitious fortune hunter (Bill Paxton) is determined to plumb the treasures of this once-stately ship, only to bring to the surface a story left untold. The tragic ruins melt away to reveal the glittering palace that was Titanic as it prepares to launch on its maiden voyage from England. Amidst the thousands of well-wishers bidding a fond bon voyage, destiny has called two young souls, daring them to nurture a passion that would change their lives forever.

 

Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) is a 17-year-old, upper-class American suffocating under the rigid confines and expectations of Edwardian society who falls for a free-spirited young steerage passenger named Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio). Once he opens her eyes to the world that lies outside her gilded cage, Rose and Jack's forbidden love begins a powerful mystery that ultimately echoes across the years into the present. Nothing on earth is going to come between them -- not even something as unimaginable as the sinking of Titanic.

 

Also inhabiting this floating microcosm are Cal Hockley, played by Billy Zane, heir to a huge fortune and Rose's fiancé, and Ruth DeWitt Bukater, Rose's socially driven mother, played by Frances Fisher. Oscar® winner Kathy Bates is featured as the ship's most colorful real-life passenger, Molly Brown. Other historic figures include Captain E.J. Smith (Bernard Hill), White Star Line's managing director J. Bruce Ismay (Jonathan Hyde), and master shipbuilder and primary architect of Titanic, Thomas Andrews (Victor Garber). Also participating in this devastating hand of fate dealt to the passengers of Titanic are an Italian emigrant named Fabrizio De Rossi (Danny Nucci), Jack's poor but determined best friend; and Spicer Lovejoy (David Warner), Cal Hockley's ruthlessly loyal valet.

 

 

 

Directed by  James Cameron

Writing credits (WGAJames Cameron (written by)

 

Genre: Action / Drama / History / Romance 


Tagline: Collide With Destiny.



Plot Summary: 

 

Fictional romantic tale of a rich girl and poor boy who meet on the ill-fated voyage of the 'unsinkable' ship Titanic, a name to stir the imagination. Set during the unimaginable catastrophe, this is one of the untold stories that lay in mystery two and a half miles beneath the waves of the North Atlantic. A tale of buried love, bravery, treasure and treachery, hidden by time and tragedy, waiting to be discovered. A beautiful socialite, a penniless artist and a priceless diamond come together in a tale of passionate romance that nothing on earth could stop. A destiny so incredible that no one could have imagined it.

 

It all begins with deep-sea explorer Brock Lovett reaches the most famous shipwreck of all and recovers a safe he believes contains a rare blue diamond called 'The Heart of the Ocean'.   But the safe holds only a drawing of a beautiful woman wearing the diamond. When Brock is later interviewed on TV, he shows the drawing to the cameras, and a 100-year-old woman named Rose Calvert living in Michigan recognizes the woman in the drawing - it is her!

 

Rose is airlifted to Brock's salvage vessell, where she tells her story of the Titanic and its ill-fated voyage. Engaged to a would-be steel magnate, Caledon Hockley, she boards the Titanic's first-class suites with him & her mother in Southampton. Also boarding are Jack Dawson & his friend Fabrizio, after a lucky poker game wins them tickets in steerage. When Rose contemplates suicide by standing on the ship's stern railings Jack Dawson in 3rd class, pulls her back onto the ship, when a bond is forged. as a thank-you, Jack is invited by her into 1st-class for diner the following day. Rose's mother & Cal Hockley use desperate measures to keep them apart, to include a deadly detective. But that strategy goes out the window when the Titanic collides with an iceberg, and due to a design flaw begins to sink, despite her title the 'unsinkable ship'.  Now Rose & Jack must struggle to stay alive amongst the other 2000 passengers also in fear of their lives.  The tragedy is played out with some survivors left to tell the tale.

 



User Comments: A Movie People Love To Hate 

User Rating: ******* 7.0/10 (109,385 votes) 



Cast overview, first billed only:

 

Leonardo DiCaprio

Jack Dawson

Kate Winslet

Rose DeWitt Bukater

Billy Zane

Caledon 'Cal' Hockley

Kathy Bates

Molly Brown

Frances Fisher

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

Gloria Stuart

Old Rose

Bill Paxton

Brock Lovett

Bernard Hill

Captain Edward J. Smith

David Warner

Spicer Lovejoy

Victor Garber

Thomas Andrews

Jonathan Hyde

J. Bruce Ismay

Suzy Amis

Lizzy Calvert

Lewis Abernathy

Lewis Bodine

Nicholas Cascone

Bobby Buell

Dr. Anatoly M. Sagalevitch

Anatoly Milkailavich

 

 

 

 

 

Leonardo di Caprio & Kate Winslet

 

 

 

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Interviews with the cast of TITANIC

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The Wreck of Titanic 12,500 Feet Beneath the Atlantic

Complete Information on the Movie, Its Stars and Filmmakers

Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Artwork and Documents Never Before Seen

 

 

This James Cameron film is presented by Paramount Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox.  it is a Lightstorm Entertainment Production, starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Bernard Hill, Jonathan Hyde, Danny Nucci, David Warner and Bill Paxton. The film was written and directed by James Cameron, is produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, and Rae Sanchini is the executive producer.

 

 

 

 

LA TRAMA

 

Il transatlantico Titanic salpa da Southampton in Inghilterra il 10 Aprile 1912, con oltre 1500 passeggeri a bordo divisi in tre classi a seconda delle differenze sociali. La diciassettenne d’alta borghesia Rose DeWitt Bukater, promessa sposa a Caledon Hockley, incontra un passeggero di terza classe, Jack Dawson, e se ne innamora perdutamente. I due progettano di fuggire insieme verso una vita più libera e  felice, ma nella notte tra il 14 e il 15 aprile il Titanic entra in collisione con un iceberg, gettando un ombra funesta sul futuro dei due innamorati. 

 

 

IL FILM

 

 

Titanic è senza dubbio il più grande film realizzato negli anni ’90, generatore di un vero e proprio fenomeno sociale che l’ha visto trionfare con critica e pubblico come pochi kolossal possono ancora permettersi. James Cameron dirige la sua storia con grande tecnica e molto sentimento, concedendosi licenze poetiche che danno vita a scene emozionanti e suggestive tanto quanto la ricostruzione del disastro: l’incontro tra Jack e Rose è pieno di romanticismo e trasporto, giovani innamorati che rendono indimenticabili sequenze cariche di tensione e ardore come la scena del primo bacio, del ritratto, della decisione di vivere per sempre insieme. Ma l’ineluttabilità del destino è invincibile, i nostri eroi romantici verranno separati dalla rivincita della natura sull’arroganza dell’uomo, solo due delle numerose vittime di un incidente tanto doloroso e infausto.  

 

Jack e Rose, imperniati di echi e ricordi degni di Romeo e Giulietta, si fanno carico dell’impatto emotivo della storia, portando i loro cuori nella centralità della vicenda e indispensabili nel dare alla sfera tragica dell’evento un punto necessario per regalare emozioni e momenti toccanti con la loro bellissima, tragica e romantica storia d’amore.  Il personaggio di Rose domina il film, protagonista imperfetta ma adorabile ben caratterizzata e arricchita dall’interpretazione  passionale e intensa di Kate Winslet. Jack è l’eroe romantico, l’appuntamento con il destino che salva la principessa perduta e la libera dalle costrizioni sociali, ben impersonato da un Di Caprio innocente e angelico con sfumature naturali e misurate.  

 

 

 

Kate Winslet as Rose Dawson

 

 

 

Cameron ben contrappone i due mondi opposti di Jack e Rose, infondendo grande caratterizzazione ad entrambi, dipingendo un’atmosfera contratta ed oppressa nelle scene ambientate in prima classe e frenesia e vitalità in quelle di terza, senza mai perdere di vista il Titanic, nave assoluta dominatrice del film ed esplorata in tutto e per tutto con il suo impatto e la sua grandiosità, sogno presto infranto di una società classista e tecnologica.  

 

Titanic è un film maestoso e solenne, ad ampio respiro, eccellente in tutte le sue parti (una menzione speciale per la suggestiva e drammatica colonna sonora composta da James Corner), nella storia d’amore drammatica e avvincente, nell’inabissamento di una nave considerata inaffondabile e la tragedia che ne consegue e nella cornice contemporanea forse afflitta da qualche stonatura e superfluità evitabili, ma capace di generare commozione e turbamento sulle conclusioni metaforiche di un disastro che ha segnato un’epoca in modo altamente simbolico. Da ricordare come il manifesto del legame tra il vecchio e il nuovo: la passione delle vecchie e classiche storie d'amore unita alla tecnologia più avanzata dei nostri anni. Un lungo viaggio commovente, toccante e decisamente memorabile.  

 

 

IL PERSONAGGIO (Rose) & L’INTERPRETAZIONE DI KATE WINSLET  

 

Rose DeWitt Bukater è una diciassettenne d'alta borghesia viziata e sofferente. La madre Ruth la obbliga a sposare l'insopportabile miliardario Caledon Hockley per far fronte ad una crisi economica. Grazie all’incontro con Jack Dawson però, Rose riesce a tirare fuori tutta la sua passione, il suo ardore, la simpatia che tiene nascosta. Infatti, se all'inizio ci appare come una rigida, composta, chiusa e altezzosa ragazza, alla fine si trasforma delicatamente in una gentile, romantica, appassionata e sarcastica donna amabile e affascinante. Un personaggio complesso ma ben costruito per Kate Winslet, che sta alla base di tutto il film e ne diventa il vero tema portante. La storia d'amore è accompagnata dal graduale cambiamento di Rose, che affronta il passaggio da ragazza ad adulta e nel corso della storia ci mostra tutte le sue qualità di donna divertente, ironica, romantica, che grazie a una passione di tre giorni riesce a cambiare in meglio tutta la sua vita.  

 

Un personaggio imperdibile per Kate Winslet, che in questo film ha l’onore di interpretare la parte migliore e di regalare la miglior performance: la Winslet è eccellente nel rivelare il cambiamento di Rose, con momenti altamente emozionanti e un immedesimazione totale nel ruolo. Kate interpreta con assoluta credibilità ogni minimo cambio di tono e di sfumatura, donando al personaggio la sua emotività, fisicità e intensità e riuscendo a far diventare Rose la nostra eroina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

A - Z FILMS INDEX

 

 

 

13 GOING ON 30

A PERFECT STORM

ALIEN

AUSTIN POWERS

BABE

BACK TO THE FUTURE

BATMAN

BRAVEHEART

BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S

BRIDGET JONES' DIARY

CAST AWAY

CATWOMAN

CHRISTINE

CON AIR

CROCODILE DUNDEE

DEAD CALM

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

DIE HARD

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

DISCLOSURE

DOLORES CLAIBORNE

DR. NO

ERIN BROCKOVICH

FIRE ON THE AMAZON

FREE WILLY

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

GLADIATOR

GOLDFINGER

HARRY POTTER

HORNBLOWER

JAMES BOND

JAWS

JURASSIC PARK

KING KONG

MAN ON FIRE

MASTER and COMMANDER

MEAN GIRLS

MEDICINE MAN

MEN OF HONOUR

MISERY

MISS CONGENIALITY

MUMMY RETURNS

 

 

 

MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY

NAKED GUN

NATIONAL TREASURE

OVERBOARD

PARENT TRAP

PAYBACK

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

PSYCHO

P2 DEAD MANS CHEST

RACE THE SUN

RAMBO

ROB ROY

ROXANNE

SCOTT OF THE ANTARCTIC

SEABISCUIT

SPEED

SPIDERMAN

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

STAR GATE

THE 39 STEPS

THE AVIATOR

THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO

THE DAMBUSTERS

THE FLY

THE MATRIX

THE PATRIOT

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

THE TERMINATOR

THE THING

THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH

THE WORLDS FASTEST INDIAN

THUNDERBALL

TITANIC

TOP GUN

TREASURE ISLAND

TROY

TRUE GRIT

UNFORGIVEN

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE

WAR OF THE WORLDS  

WATERLOO BRIDGE

ZULU

 

 

 

 

A - Z ACTORS INDEX

 

 

 

Angelina Jolie

Anthony Hopkins

Arnold Shwazenneger

Arnold Vosloo

Brad Pitt

Brendan Fraser

Bruce Willis

Catherine Zeta Jones

Charlize Theron

Chris Cooper

Clint Eastwood

Daniel Craig

Demi Moore

Denzel Washington

Eric Bana

Eva Green

George Clooney

Gerard Depardieu

Goldie Hawn

Gregory Peck

Halle Berry

Harvey Keitel

Humphrey Bogart

Ian Holm

Ingrid Bergman

Jack Black

Jack Nicholson

James Caan

James Cromwell

Jean Reno

 

 

 

Jeff Bridges

Jim Carrey

Joaquin Phoenix

John Hurt

John Travolta

John Wayne

Johnny Depp

Judi Dench

Julia Roberts

Julie Andrews

Kate Hudson

Kate Winslett

Kathy Bates

Keanu Reeves

Keira Knightley

Kevin Spacey

Kirsten Dunst

Kurt Russell

Leonardo di Caprio

Liam Neeson

Linda Kozlowski

Lindsay Lohan

Mads Mikkelsen

Marlon Brando

Matthew McConaughey

Mel Gibson

Michael Cain

Michael Douglas

Michael J Fox

Michael Keaton

Morgan Freeman

 

 

Naomi Watts

Nicholas Cage

Nicole Kidman

Orlando Bloom

Paul Bettany

Paul Hogan

Pierce Brosnan

Rachel Weisz

Rennee Zellweger

Richard Gere

Robert de Niro

Roger Moore

Russell Crowe

Sam Neil

Samuel L Jackson

Sandra Bullock

Sean Connery

Sharon Stone

Sigourney Weaver

Stanley Baker

Steve Martin

Steven Segal

Slyvester Stalone

Tim Roth

Tobey Maguire

Tom Cruise

Tom Hanks

Tommy Lee Jones

Uma Thurman

Willem Dafoe

 

 

 

 

 

Titanic: frequently asked questions

Titanic Facts: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Titanic
Dimensions and Statistics, Safety Features, Luxuries and Accommodations, Galley Supplies, Survivor Rates and much more.

The Saga of the Titanic
Why such a compelling and enduring interest in the Titanic? Why even to this day has Titanic become in some circles synonymous with, ”colossal, disaster, luxury, greed, pride, invincibility, wealth, heroism, stupidity, mystery and intrigue?


The Final Seconds before Collision: 12 Part Series
Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12
The standard account of the last seconds before the Titanic collided with the fatal iceberg derives from “Shipping Casualties (Loss of the Steamship “Titanic”)”, the report of the investigators who conducted the British Enquiry into the sinking.

Parallels Between the 9-11 and Titanic Tragedies
Hatred and jealousy was the root cause and precursor to the horrific tragedy of 9-11 and greed was the root cause, the precursor to the sinking of the Titanic that put luxury and speed ahead of safety and penny-pinching in material purchase and construction ahead of common sense.

The Carvers of the Titanic
Dreamers dream dreams and craftsman make things with their hands, hearts and tools. When dreamers and craftsman come together, visions take shape and objects of art and utility are created.

Titanic Chronology: A Clear Timeline of Events Related to the Titanic
What happened and when? A full and detailed account of the chronology around the Titanic

Dr. Washinton Dodge's Account of the Wrek
San Francisco’s Assessor Tells Story of the Wreck of the Titanic from which he
Escapes After Thrilling Experience

RMS Titanic Iceberg FAQ
How large was the iceberg that sank the RMS TITANIC? Where did the RMS TITANIC actually hit the iceberg? Other than the RMS TITANIC, what ships have struck icebergs?

Raising the Titanic
The Utah Museum of Natural History and the LDS Church's Zions Securities are in negotiations to bring a traveling exhibit that displays artifacts from the famous sunken ocean liner into empty space this summer at Main Street's ZCMI Center.

 

Bogus Titanic Claims Shown
A telegram signed "White Star Line", dated April 15, 1912, with claims that Titanic was safe, goes on display to mark the 92nd anniversary of the tragedy.

 

Titanic Captain Blamed For Wreck
Senate Committee Also Scores Captain of the Steamer Californian. COULD HAVE SAVED ALL. Praise for Carpathia Crew and Gold Medal for her Captain.

How the Titanic Would Look If It Stood in Market Street
The April 17, 1912 edition of The San Francisco Examiner featured a front-page photograph to illustrate the sheer size of the sunken Titanic.

Local Titanic Headlines From the News: California
"Two U.C. Men Lost In Wreck of Titanic" , "Local Mining Man is on Titanic's Death List", "Herman Klaber on board the Titanic", "San Francisco Doctor not on Ill-Fated Ship", "Sacramento Pair in Passenger List"

Dr. Dodge: "Several Boats Lowered Only Half Filled"
One Doctors story Of Rescue and how he "Tumbled In” when told to.

White Star Offices Here Are Deserted
San Francisco Agents of Lost Liner Without News of Disaster

Rusticles Thrive on the Titanic
Tiny microbes are at work 3,800 m under the sea at the site of the Titanic shipwreck. The microbes feed off iron from the ship, forming icicle-shaped “rusticles.” Although rusticle formations on Titanic have been observed for many years, not much effort has gone into studying them.

RMS Titanic Expedition 2003
NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration (OE) is the program lead for all Titanic information. In June 2003, OE sponsored an 11-day research cruise to the wreck site aboard the Russian Research Vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. The vessel is equipped with two three-person submersibles (Mir I and Mir II) capable of diving to depths of 6,000 meters; the depth of the Titanic is 3,800 m.

 

 

The above links point to a site sponsored by: The Shining Sea Foundation and Prints of Poetry.

The Shining Sea Foundation is dedicated to the design, construction, and sailing of the next great American clipper ship, “The Shining Sea.” click here to learn more  

Prints of Poetry and The Shining Sea Foundation
218 E. Main Street
Suite 114
Newark, DE 19711

Tel: (302) 731-0766    Fax: (302) 731-0298

 

general email: info@titanic-nautical.com       webmaster: greg@titanic-nautical.com

 



 

 

 

RELATED SITES

 

The Titanic Historical Society, Inc.  is also dedicated to preserving the history of this great ship and the White Star line that commissioned her.  The Society was formed in 1963.  THS invites you to visit the Titanic Museum, a unique collection of personal items donated by survivors and their families, historical documents and memorabilia from Titanic, Olympic, Britannic and White Star Line ships. 

 

 

The Titanic Historical Society, Inc.
PO Box 51053
208 Main Street
Indian Orchard MA
01151-0053    USA

Tel (413) 543 4770   Fax (413) 583 3633

email: titanicinfo@titanichistoricalsociety.org

THS homepage | Events | Society Facts | Museum | Membership
Museum Shop | Commutator | Contact Us

 

 

 

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