History in Cinema: Authenticity vs. Creative Interpretation

Two distinct settings unfold in the film: the salvage ship and the RMS Titanic. The narrative commences with footage capturing salvage ship activities, where treasure hunters led by Brock Lovett aim to unveil a necklace called The Heart of the Ocean (Tran, Hwang, & Jung, 2017). Their quest leads them to the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean, revealing a nude portrayal of a female adorned with the necklace, the date indicating 14th April 1912—the precise day the Titanic sank after colliding with an iceberg.

Movie Synopsis

Analysis of the Film

The film effectively captures the audience’s attention, utilizing mise-en-scène to convey the romance and tragedy of the Titanic (Tiara & Humanika, 2021). The meticulous selection of settings, makeup, costumes, lighting, and character actions exemplifies the filmmakers’ dedication. The film portrays the stark contrast between social classes, masterfully using lighting to depict characters’ moods and emotions.

The film delves into the emotional impact of the Titanic’s sinking, highlighting moments of love and sacrifice. The class divide is vividly portrayed, with lower-class individuals enjoying local music, while the upper class indulges in sophisticated entertainment like violin and piano performances.

Movie’s Impact on Public Perception

The film’s release in 1942 coincides with the actual Titanic disaster in 1912, prompting scrutiny of the historical event. The film raises awareness about the Titanic’s flawed construction and the subsequent need for improvements in shipbuilding materials and safety regulations (Montano & Carr, 2021).

The public becomes informed about the structural issues in the Titanic, emphasizing the use of substandard materials. The film contributes to discussions on improving vessel designs, materials, and safety measures, ultimately influencing the shipping industry’s practices.

Proposed Enhancements to the Titanic Film

To enhance the film’s accuracy, incorporating double hull steel construction in the Titanic’s manufacturing is recommended (Kurzbaum et al., 2019). Improved steel plates and riveting, along with fully sealed bulkheads, would mitigate the risks of accidents and shipwrecks. The screenplay should also address national and international ship care facilities.

Conclusion

The film Titanic not only entertains but also sparks discussions about historical events and societal issues. Its impact on public understanding prompts reflections on disaster prevention and the importance of stringent safety measures in maritime history.

References

Escher, A., Karner, M., & Rapp, H. (2021). Cinematic cruising: Reel imagination and real experience for pleasure on the high seas. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 146735842110117. https://doi.org/10.1177/14673584211011711

HIS FPX 1150 Assessment 5 History in the Movie, Fact or Fiction

Kurzbaum, E., Iliasafov, L., Kolik, L., Starosvetsky, J., Bilanovic, D., Butnariu, M., & Armon, R. (2019). From the Titanic and other shipwrecks to biofilm prevention: The interesting role of polyphenol-protein complexes in biofilm inhibition. Science of the Total Environment, 658, 1098–1105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.197

Montano, S., & Carr, J. (2021). The Landscape of Disaster Film: 2000–2020. Disasters. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12482

Tran, Q. D., Hwang, D., & Jung, J. J. (2017). Character-based indexing and browsing with movie ontology1. Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, 32(2), 1229–1240. https://doi.org/10.3233/jifs-169122

Tran, Q. D., Hwang, D., Lee, O-Joun., & Jung, J. E. (2016). Exploiting character networks for movie summarization. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 76(8), 10357–10369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-016-3633-6

HIS FPX 1150 Assessment 5 History in the Movie, Fact or Fiction