Buzz
Titanic isn't just a successful movie—it's a global sensation. The film won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and catapulted Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio into superstardom. But there are some lesser-known details about the third highest-grossing film of all time that you might not be aware of.
1. The most famous line in Titanic was improvised.
When Leonardo DiCaprio first stood at the edge of the ship, he spontaneously shouted, 'I'm the king of the world!' James Cameron was so impressed with the moment that he decided to keep it in the film. The line has since been parodied countless times, even at the Oscars, and earned a spot at #100 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest movie quotes.
2. Jack's death in Titanic wasn't strictly necessary.
One lingering question that has haunted James Cameron since the release of Titanic is whether Jack really needed to die. During an episode of MythBusters, which investigated whether both Jack and Rose could have survived on the same piece of wood without it sinking, Cameron made a surprise appearance to confess that the dramatic conclusion relied on Jack's death. 'If [he] lives, the movie makes a tenth as much,' Cameron joked.
Even in 2016, Cameron was still being asked about it. While he maintained that Jack's death was 'an artistic choice,' during an interview with Vanity Fair, he continued to defend the scene. Cameron had even tested the floating board's buoyancy to determine whether it could have supported both characters.
3. Titanic took home 11 Oscars—but no acting awards.
Despite being heavily tipped for an Oscar win, 87-year-old Gloria Stuart (Old Rose) lost the Best Supporting Actress award to Kim Basinger for L.A. Confidential. Kate Winslet, who was nominated for Best Actress, lost to Helen Hunt for As Good as It Gets. It would take Winslet five more nominations before finally securing her first Academy Award for The Reader in 2009.
4. Kate Winslet found out she had won the role of Rose in Titanic while wearing a straitjacket.
The day Kate Winslet discovered she had secured the role that would make her a star, she was in England filming Hamlet alongside Kenneth Branagh. After receiving the call from her agent, she immediately went back to work—dressing in a straitjacket to film Ophelia’s iconic breakdown scene.
5. A nude drawing of Kate Winslet from Titanic sold for a small fortune.
Paramount PicturesIn 2011, Premiere Props auctioned off one of Titanic's most famous pieces of memorabilia: the drawing Jack made of Rose, wearing only the Heart of the Ocean necklace. Though the buyer and the final price were not revealed, the highest known bid was $16,000. It’s worth noting that the sketch was created by James Cameron, not Leonardo DiCaprio.
6. The water in Titanic wasn't nearly as cold as it appeared.
James Cameron revealed that 'the water in the tank was about 80°F, so it was really like a pool.' He explained, 'All of the cold, frigid water was added later' during the filming of the water scenes.
7. Famous historical figures make a brief appearance in Titanic in a cameo.
Ida and Isidor Straus, the founders of Macy's, were among the passengers on the Titanic and tragically perished together. They are depicted in a short, unspoken cameo as an elderly couple lying in bed while the water rises around them. Their names are credited in the film, with Lew Palter and Elsa Raven portraying them.
8. James Cameron shot an alternate ending for Titanic.
An alternate version of the movie was filmed in which Bill Paxton’s character finally gets to hold the Heart of the Ocean necklace, and Stuart’s character delivers an emotional speech about cherishing every moment.
9. Neil DeGrasse Tyson influenced a key change in Titanic.
Famed astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson didn’t watch Titanic until years after its release, but when he did, he took issue with a particular scene. Rose, lying on the piece of driftwood, looks up at the sky, and Tyson pointed out that the star field in the movie wasn't accurate for that time and place. He sent Cameron 'quite a snarky email' (Cameron’s description) about the mistake. True to his meticulous nature, Cameron re-shot the scene for the 3D release of the film.
10. Titanic set an unusual non-box office record.
Due to its extended run in theaters, Titanic became the first film ever released on VHS while it was still showing in cinemas. Its overwhelming success, with fans flocking back for repeated viewings, even led some theaters to replace their worn-out film reels.
