Few
events in history have captured my attention quite like this one. Over the years,
I've learned a lot about the ship and it's tragic story, but until I saw the movie, it was
just a historical event that happened long ago. Afterwards, it became something very
real. The movie isn't just a big Hollywood blockbuster, it's a piece of living
history, able to transport viewers back in time to see what it might have been like to be
a passenger on the world's greatest ocean liner of it's day. The Titanic movie effected me much like Schindler's List did
after I'd seen it: I was speechless. It wasn't until days later that I was
able to put into words my feelings about the movie. Some people may be cynical about
the tremendous following and numerous awards the movie has gotten. But, they should
remember that it was a real event first and a film event second. It is not only for them that I post my thoughts on the Titanic
experience, but also for those who may also share my feelings about both the tragedy and
the movie.
There Are No Words: Reflections on Titanic As I walked out of the movie theater after seeing
the movie nominated for 14 Academy Awards, there were literally no words that could
describe the experience. When historical fact is combined with Hollywood film, the
results are often less than the expectations. This was not the case with Titanic.
For the first time that I can remember, the
theater was virtually silent during the entire three and a half hours. The first
images projected were those of the majestic ship once proudly hailed as UNSINKABLE resting
on the ocean floor. Then the never before seen interiors of the great liner that
director James Cameron captured on his six month pre-production journey to Titanic's final
resting place further emphasized the scale of the tragedy. I was immediately
transported back to the splendor and opulence of 1912 to sail on Titanic's fated maiden
voyage. Luck and near tragedy intersect
time and time again in eerie foreshadow as the story of Rose, Jack and Titanic herself is
revealed. It was a lucky hand of poker that gave Jack the tickets.
It was Rose's near suicide attempt over her impending marriage that brought the two
together. It was love that helped one survive. It was man's mastery over machinery that
forged Titanic out of dreams and steel. It was human arrogance that deemed her
unsinkable. It was nature that proved them wrong. Woven in the tapestry of Jack and Rose's story were the real
names and faces of Titanic's passengers. Wealthy men like Benjamin Guggenheim
and John Jacob Astor, Molly Brown, Captain Edward J. Smith, Bruce Ismay, and Thomas
Andrews were remarkably portrayed. Who is to say that Jack and Rose were only
"fictional" characters through whose eyes and ears we see the story
unfold? There were a vast number of people on that ship whose stories we don't
know. In my heart and mind, I believed them to be real and still do even now.
It was a night to remember and thanks to the
magic of modern day film, it will not be forgotten. This version of the tragedy
captured what it's predecessors some how could not. The magnitude of losses suffered
was rendered in complete detail. A marvel of beauty, design and achievement was gone
forever. Over fifteen hundred men, women and children lost their lives on that calm,
moonless April 15th early morning. The only words that can fully capture the
depth of emotion that the images and story evoke are these: There are no
words. You must see it to understand.
There is much more to be
seen on these few pages than just my "review." I want to pay respect to
the ship that was and the people who lost their lives as well as celebrate the movie that
brought their stories to life. Follow the links below to continue your tour of the
Titanic pages or one of the other sections that I have here. But, as always, you are
welcome to return at any time.