Kate Winslet's Note
Kate Winslet’s Note: After landing the role of Rose, Kate Winslet sent director James Cameron a rose with a note saying, “I’m ready.”
Sky Reshoot
Sky Reshoot: James Cameron reshot a scene to accurately depict the sky on the night the Titanic sank, responding to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson’s observations about the moon and stars.
Based on their true story
Inspiration from Real Passengers: The elderly couple depicted in the film, Isidor and Ida Straus, were real passengers who perished during the sinking. Their portrayal in the film was based on their true story.
Cameron's Sketch
Cameron’s Sketch: James Cameron personally drew the nude sketch of Rose that Jack Dawson creates in the film.
Exploration of the Wreck
Exploration of the Wreck: Cameron has explored the Titanic wreck more than any of its actual passengers, making over 30 dives to the site.
High Production Cost
High Production Cost: The film’s budget was around $200 million, translating to over $1 million per minute of screen time.
Historical Accuracy
Historical Accuracy: Much of the ship’s interior decor in the movie was historically accurate, with Cameron using footage from the wreck to replicate the original design.
Real Caviar on Set
Real Caviar on Set: To enhance authenticity, actors in the dining scenes consumed real Beluga caviar, which is extremely expensive.
DiCaprio's Pet Lizard
DiCaprio’s Pet Lizard: Leonardo DiCaprio brought his pet lizard, named Blizzard, to the set, often seen with him during filming.
Spiked Chowder Incident
Spiked Chowder Incident: During filming in Nova Scotia, cast and crew unknowingly consumed clam chowder that was spiked with PCP, leading to a hospital visit for some, but no lasting harm.
Cameron's Deep Sea Filming
Cameron’s Deep Sea Filming: Cameron used advanced submersible technology to film the wreck, which contributed to the film’s realistic portrayal of the Titanic.
Casting Choices
Casting Choices: Winslet was just 19 when she was cast as Rose, and there was significant competition for the role, including auditions with other well-known actresses.
Musical Score
Musical Score: The film’s iconic score, composed by James Horner, was a significant factor in its emotional impact and success, winning multiple awards.
Innovative Special Effects
Innovative Special Effects: The film employed groundbreaking visual effects for its time, which helped bring the sinking of the Titanic to life in a realistic manner.
Box Office Milestone
Box Office Milestone: “Titanic” was the first film to gross over $1 billion worldwide, setting a record that stood for many years before being surpassed by later films.