It has been 25 years since the release of Titanic, and the film has become a monumental achievement in cinematic history, recognized as one of the highest-grossing films of all time, beloved by audiences worldwide. However, even such a masterpiece like Titanic is not without its flaws.
Soundtrack Discrepancies
At the film’s opening, thousands of people gathered to bid farewell to their loved ones as the Titanic set sail. The scene with Jack (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and his friend Fabrizio (Danny Nucci) trying to win the lucky tickets is iconic, as viewers can see the ship through the window. Unfortunately, the soundtrack isn’t very audible; everything is drowned out. The soundtrack only becomes clear again during the scene where Jack and Fabrizio board the ship, marking the start of their adventure.
Visual Continuity Issues
The visual representation of the ship at the start of the film differs from what viewers see when the ship begins to sink. The lack of documentation and preservation of certain details makes it likely that minor errors in the visual scenes could occur.
Filming Techniques on Board
In 1997, when the film was being shot, technology was not as advanced as it is today, requiring multiple cameramen to capture scenes from various angles. As a result, viewers can see the footage being filmed on the Titanic’s windows. This is a difficult mistake to notice and correct without modern technology.
Character Continuity Errors
The character Cal Hockley (played by Billy Zane), due to jealousy, often belittles Jack’s impoverished background. In a scene where he drinks, Cal is seen wearing shoes but lacking socks, while this detail reflects the expected behavior of a wealthy man.
Rose’s mother, Ruth DeWitt Bukater (Frances Fisher), is often seen preaching and reminding everyone around her of the aristocratic customs, yet she herself is the one who violates them. According to aristocratic standards, women must remove their gloves when dining or during other formal occasions.
Jack’s Disappearing Jacket
Jack and Rose are seen wearing jackets and veils while submerged in icy water, both struggling to survive while hoping for rescue. Jack covers Rose with a vest, yet he appears to be wearing a jacket that later vanishes.
Changes in Ship Appearance
The look of the ship changes dramatically in terms of design; at times, the railings are missing, while at other times, they are present.
The ship’s interior creates a dramatic scene that symbolizes the transformation of Jack and Rose’s relationship.
Jack’s Hair
Another inconsistency appears during the scene where Jack takes Rose down to the third-class deck for a party, after a flirtation with a girl named Cora. When Jack returns to the table, Rose is seen looking at him with tousled hair. However, during the action scenes, Jack’s hair appears to have been styled, with gel applied for effect. Many viewers have remarked that they wish Jack’s “supernatural” hairstyle could be replicated in a few seconds, just like Jack did.
Rose’s Long Nails
The filming process took several months, and Kate Winslet’s nails as Rose grew longer over time. Yet the film only captures a few scenes over several days, making Rose’s long nails a detail that was not intended.
The Night Sky
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson pointed out inaccuracies regarding the night sky in the film. Based on the timeline, the star positions visible in the night sky when Jack and Rose stand on the deck were incorrect for that date. According to experts, the details in the film do not accurately represent the real sky. Director James Cameron later corrected this frame after the film’s 3D release.
Cal’s Discovery of Jack’s Scarf
Cal, Rose’s fiancé, discovers Jack’s scarf in the yellow-tinted footage. He views the footage and angrily tears it apart. In the next scene, the yellow-tinted footage disappears, and all that Cal can do is stare at the crumpled paper.
Rose’s Sleeve Movement
When boarding the ship, Rose’s sleeve (Kate Winslet) is on the right edge. Shortly after, it shifts to the left.
Jack’s “Magical” Glasses
Rose reaches for Jack’s glasses when he is hurt. The glasses, however, seem to vanish during the film’s earlier scenes, but suddenly appear again after the transition scene.
Jack’s Disappearing Belt
In the scene where Rose escapes from Jack, there are several inconsistencies. Jack’s belt appears and disappears throughout the scene, and the same thing happens in other scenes. Viewers may feel that it is less convincing if the costume does not have a belt.
In the scene where Rose stands on the ship’s deck, her hands are not grasping the ship’s railing, but her dress appears to be flowing in the wind.
Rose’s leg changes color in many scenes.
Jack’s Water Rescue
When Rose jumps into the water at the Atlantic Ocean, Jack is supposed to be ready to fish in Lake Wissota. However, this is an artificial lake and was not completed until 1917. Meanwhile, the Titanic sank in 1912.
Similarly, the ship Santa Monica, which Jack mentioned to Rose, was not launched until 1916.
Wire Errors During Sinking
The Titanic sank into the icy waters and submerged from the front while the rear was lifted. In the above image, viewers notice that wires are protruding along with the ship’s hull, which seems to be submerged under the surface of the water. Later, the production team acknowledged this error and corrected it.
Inconsistent Motifs
The iconic scene of Jack and Rose touching is full of emotion, making it hard for viewers to recognize the errors. The initial motif is quite clear and vivid. However, in the following scene, the motif becomes more muted and softer.
According to Brightside
