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Titanic Couple Sketch by Ranasajid36 from

15 Quick Facts About Titanic the Movie

When you think of titanic, you probably think about Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet and their romantic movie scenes. To be honest, I’ve never completed the movie, probably because I never want to see the sad bits.  The movie is based on a true story and it cost a lot of money to make which is probably why it still ranks as one of the top three highest-grossing films. From the sad song “My Heart Will Go On” to statements like “I’m the ruler of the world” Titanic the movie has epic scenes that are simply unforgettable and hard to ignore, even if you didn’t watch the movie or you’re not a fan. 

The truth is that Titanic as a movie has worldwide fans and most fans have taken time to analyze the production, from the script to how it was directed. However, how many facts about the Titanic movie do you know? read on and get some quick facts about it.

1. The elderly couple lying in bed as the ship sank is based on real people

Real people served as the inspiration for the elderly couple seen resting in bed as musicians play and water rushes into the chamber. Isidor and Ida Strauss were travellers on the actual Titanic, and their heartwarming romance is comparable to that of Jack and Rose.

Given their old age and 40 years of marriage, witnesses claim they were permitted to board the lifeboat, but Isidor insisted on waiting until every woman and kid had left the ship. His wife made the decision to stay at his side, and they were last seen on the boat deck, sitting on a couple of deck chairs and holding hands until their deaths.

2. Titanic was released in 1997

James Cameron, who also created the screenplay for Titanic, directed and produced it in 1997. With Titanic, director James Cameron—known for his high-concept science fiction movies—took on a historical romance that would go on to become one of the all-time largest box office hits.

3. At first, Céline Dion refused to sing My Heart Will Go On

Celine Dion by Anirudh Koul from

Céline Dion was one of the most popular singers at the time when James Horner approached her in 1997 with a song in hand. However, despite what might appear odd, the Quebecois musician wasn’t overly fond of the song and even believed it would be a flop. Before formally rejecting the offer, the singer was persuaded by her agency and husband, René Angelil, to record the song at least once.

My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion was recorded in a single take. James Cameron opted to utilise the demo as the soundtrack for Titanic after hearing James Horner’s happy demo and being impressed by the outcome.

The rest, as they say, is history: even before the movie came out on December 7th, 1997, the song became an instant hit all over the world. Céline Dion won the 1998 Grammy and Oscar for best song of the year with this song, as well as the Golden Globe and Oscar for best soundtrack.

4. The movie received an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects

In terms of visual effects, Titanic was a groundbreaking achievement. To provide the impression that the Titanic was sinking in real time, Cameron combined physical effects, miniatures, and computer-generated imagery (CGI). The movie received the Best Visual Effects Academy Award.

5. Kate Winslet took swimming lessons to prepare for her role as Rose

To get ready for her role as Rose in Titanic, Kate Winslet took swimming lessons. Winslet underwent rigorous swimming instruction in order to accurately represent Rose, a character who spends a lot of time in the water during the movie’s finale. She also developed the ability to hold her breath for lengthy periods of time, and while wearing a period costume, she even attempted diving. Her commitment to the part enabled her to give a standout performance that solidified her standing as a rising star in Hollywood.

6. The Titanic movie had one of the best-selling film soundtracks of all time

The music for the movie was written by James Horner, who aimed to produce one that would adequately convey both the sorrow and beauty of the Titanic’s tale. One of the most popular movie soundtracks ever produced, the composition combines orchestral and electronic elements.

7. James Cameron drew the sketches in Jack’s binder and the portrait of Rose

James Cameron by Steve Jurvetson from

Everybody remembers a number of classic scenes from the Titanic. One of those heartfelt, unforgettable moments is undoubtedly Jack drawing Rose. However, Cameron himself can be seen in the close-up sketching photos demonstrating the pencil work, not DiCaprio’s.

James Cameron sketched all the drawings of the “French girls” in addition to Rose’s portrait in the binder Jack was carrying. And that’s not all—DiCaprio is right-handed while Cameron is left—but the filmmaker didn’t overlook this tiny distinction, and the image was flipped in post-production to keep the consistency and ensure that nothing would undermine the false impression that Jack was the genuine artist.

8. The climactic scene of the Titanic sinking in the movie took 2 months to shoot

Titanic by Willy Stöwer from

It did not take two weeks to shoot the movie “Titanic’s” pivotal scene of the Titanic sinking. Truthfully, it took a lot longer. Over a two-month period, the sequence was filmed by director James Cameron and his team. In Rosarito, Mexico, a sizable set that was scaled to the actual ship to 90% was employed.

A hydraulic mechanism allowed for the set’s tilting in order to represent the ship sinking. The intricate scene required numerous camera angles, a sizable crew of extras and stunt performers, and great attention to detail. The end result was an intense and stunningly beautiful portrayal of one of history’s most tragic nautical tragedies.

9. Kate Winslet ended up developing hypothermia because the water on the set was so chilly

Kate Winslet by Somewhere In Toronto from

Jack and Rose were clinging to life in the icy water after the ship sank. But in that scene, Kate Winslet, the actress experienced some discomfort. Rose wasn’t the only one who felt chilly. There were even speculations that she contracted pneumonia, but the actress emphasised in an interview with Colbert on The Late Night Show that it wasn’t that bad—rather, she contracted hypothermia since the water was so chilly. If you’re wondering why they didn’t just let the players act like it’s chilly, Winslet remembers that there was a lot of water, which makes her believe that there was simply too much for them to heat up.

10. Since Cameron himself dove to view the wreckage, the underwater footage of the Titanic is real

After meeting Robert Ballard, the captain of the team that found the Titanic’s wreckage, James Cameron, who had a fascination with shipwrecks, had the idea to make a movie about it. The movie’s making and the underwater explorations to see the genuine ship both began in 1995. In 1912, Cameron actually dove into the ocean and remained on the Titanic longer than the actual passengers. 

James visited the ship 12 times and would spend between 15 and 17 hours there, that’s how he managed to investigate, record and absorb the solemness of the place. His underwater video was used in the production, further enhancing realism. This encounter inspired Cameron to want the audience to recognise that this story wasn’t merely a drama but rather an actual occurrence that affected real individuals, not all of whom survived.

11. Planet Ice was the film’s working title during production

To prevent other studios from producing films on the RMS Titanic, director James Cameron adopted a ruse title. Clever? Yes, but during filming in Mexico, admirers of Leonardo DiCaprio gathered by the Fox Baja Studios’ entrances regardless of the phoney title.

12. Matthew McConaughey auditioned for the role of Jack in Titanic

Matthew McConaughey by David Torcivia from

For the role of Jack in Titanic, Matthew McConaughey attended an audition. He was really one of the many actors that were vying for the role before Leonardo DiCaprio was chosen in the end. McConaughey allegedly expressed a strong interest in the part, but James Cameron finally determined that he wasn’t the appropriate match for the role. As one of the most accomplished actors of his time, DiCaprio’s performance in the movie contributed to his ascent to Hollywood superstardom.

13. Quotes from actual survivors were included in the script

In the script, James Cameron included quotes from actual survivors of the tragedy. For instance, when Jack wishes to prevent Rose from jumping off the ship, he tells her of a time when he was out fishing and fell into the icy water after the ice broke, and how it felt like “being stabbed with a thousand knives all over your body.”

Second Officer Charles Herber Lightoller actually said the following while summarising his experience: I temporarily lost control of myself because hitting the water felt like a thousand knives were being rammed into my body.

14. The flooding of the grand staircase was captured by Cameron in a single shot

It wasn’t just created to appear believable for the viewers; the Grand Staircase on the set was constructed to withstand significant damage from water. However, the fact that it would be destroyed was also known when it was being built. The Grand Staircase room is submerged under water as the ship begins to sink. An estimated 340,000 litres (90,000 gallons) of water were dropped on the stairway to heighten the drama of its demise. With this much water, the set would be entirely destroyed, thus the production team understood they only had one chance to make that scene.

15. The chef in the film was modelled after a real person who survived 

A real-life chef served as the inspiration for the chef we see sipping from a flask next to Jack and Rose as the ship sank. The chef Charles John Joughin, who is famous for having spent two hours in the icy water, is English-American.

He was the last survivor to abandon the Titanic because he climbed up the safety rail outside the ship and was simply waiting to descend like an elevator when the ship sank. He claimed that he probably didn’t feel the effects of the cold water as much due to the booze he had consumed.

If you’re interested in more facts about the actual Titanic you can read about the 10 Famous People Who Died on the Titanic