In a slightly later scene Jack is laid on a bench smoking a roll-up when suddenly Rose runs from inside the ship onto deck and towards the stern of the ship. The mood is unhappy and upsetting and tears are flowing from the eyes of Rose. The music is relatively non-existent although there is a low note that is held and the footsteps and crying of Rose add to the tension. A medium tracking shot is used to follow Rose running and to show her body language. Dim lighting is used to create the effect of it being night while still giving a good view of Rose’s face and emotions. When Rose threatens to jump off the ship Jack offers his hand out to her. There are computer-generated graphics for creating the effect of the sea and great sound effects to make the sea sound realistic as well as look good. Here the sea is an example of a visible effect although usually it would be an invisible effect. It is visible in this case because it is the main focus of the shot, usually the sea just blends into the background making it an invisible effect. There is a big close up shot (BCU) on the hands of Jack and Rose when Jack helps her back over onto deck. Also, a faint sound of a melody gives the impression there is more to come from them. I consider this to be the most important scene in the ‘forbidden love’ aspect of the film. Not just because Jack saves Rose but because it is the first time they meet and it brings a ‘Romeo and Juliet’ type feel into the storyline.
Another reason for using the ‘forbidden love’ aspect of the film is to show the audience around the ship and to show off the authenticity of the set in relation to the real ship. This is shown when Jack is invited to dinner in first class. The difference in class is immediately noticed as Molly sees Jack and tells him that he can’t go down wearing that. She offers him a suit and shoes so he can make a good impression. As Jack enters first class there is bright lighting with chandeliers and candles. Jack straight away realises that he must change the way he acts to be considered a ‘gentleman’. There are a lot of points of view shots (POV) throughout this scene showing what Jack is seeing and to create what Jack must be feeling as he enters first class. At the dinner there are many looks across the table ones that suggest there is something between Jack and Rose.
This scene is true antithesis of the steerage party where the atmosphere is very laid back and relaxed. There are people laughing and smiling and generally having an enjoyable time. Jack and Rose are visibly enjoying themselves. As they dance together there are many close-up shots (CU) to show the emotion on each of their faces. There are also some (POV) shots enabling you as the audience to see what either Jack or Rose are viewing. This is to create the feeling of pleasure as Jack and Rose spend time together and become close to each other. This type of shot is used when Jack and Rose are dancing in the steerage party. Jack is spinning Rose around in circles and the camera repeatedly changes between a (POV) shot from Jack looking at Rose’s face and a (POV) shot from Rose looking at Jacks face. In this case the (POV) shot is also a (CU) shot to emphasise the happiness. Although at this point Jack and Rose are just friends there are hints that there is more to Jack’s feelings for Rose than just friendship. This is shown many times throughout the steerage party scene as Jack repeatedly gives Rose looks of desire and (CU) shots of his face show him overwhelmed by her beauty. The music all the way through this scene is happy and cheerful. Irish music is used to create this effect because it is upbeat. Notice here how ‘forbidden love’ is used to show two different areas of the ship but both scenes are closely related.
The second universal theme ‘courage in the face of disaster’ is mainly the sinking of the ship and the events surrounding the sinking. This theme is where you get the hero saving the day or people saving friends and risking their own lives in the process etc. What made the sinking of the ship more tragic was the fact that there were warnings about the iceberg that were ignored. In fact the when the warnings were issued Captain Smith was pressured by Bruce Ismay (chairman of the white star line) to push the ship hard to ‘make headlines’. This was totally ironic for the audience as they knew that the ship was going to make headlines but for the wrong reasons.
After the ship has struck the iceberg there is screaming and terror everywhere. There are lots of (CU) shots on people’s faces to show how frightened they are. Jack has been handcuffed to a steel girder or something similar by Cal Hockley (Rose’s Fiancée) so Rose runs back to free him. This is a brilliant example of ‘courage in the face of disaster’. The ship is sinking, the chances of survival are extremely slim, but still Rose, who in this example is the heroine, goes back to save her love. There are again lots of (CU) shots to show emotion. Rose is very upset and eager to set Jack free and Jack is obviously very concerned for his life. The strength of the relationship between Jack and Rose is shown when all Rose can find that may set Jack free is an axe. Jack trusts Rose not to hurt him with it and as a result she sets him free. The music throughout this scene is loud and sharp to give the impression of danger, and there are lots of sound effects of water crashing against the walls and windows.
In a slightly later scene, out on deck, the band are still playing as the ship sinks. There is horror and fright among everyone and the band still continue to play. They know they are going to die so they play to try and relax people. This attempt is in vein as there are people running around everywhere frantically trying to find a space on a lifeboat. At one point the band all give up and one of the members asks what’s the point no one is listening to us. So they all walk off in different directions, all apart from one who continues to play on his own. The others turn round as they hear him playing and return to play together. Just before the ship finally sinks one of the members said ‘Gentlemen it’s been a pleasure playing with you’. The music they are playing is very quiet, slow, sad music that is coming from the hearts of the members. It is an indication to what they are feeling at the time. Throughout the scene there are sound effects in the background. Sound effects of people screaming as they leap from the deck of the boat, or screams of mothers trying to find their children.
Later in the film, after the ship has sunk, there are people floating in the ocean dead and alive. A third class passenger pushes Rose under the water as he tries to save himself. Jack hears Rose screaming and comes to save her. They embrace as Rose is upset. A (CU) shot of Jack and Rose hugging shows how much they mean to each other and makes you feel upset as you expect them to die. The (CU) shot also shows the breath of both Jack and Rose. This special effect really gives the impression that they are in freezing water rather than it being a set. Light coloured make-up is used on the faces of all characters to emphasise how cold the water is. Also, wax is used in characters’ hair to make it look frozen. This is very effective. Jack sees a float in the water and tells Rose to follow him towards it. Jack helps Rose on to it first then himself tries to get on it. This is unsuccessful as the float is only strong enough for 1 person. Jack lets Rose have the float and he stays in the water holding her hand. Slow classic music creates a romantic moment where (CU) shots of their faces show severe depression. Jack then tells Rose not to say goodbye because they are both going to survive. Here Jack sacrifices his chance of survival to give Rose a higher chance or surviving. This is the last occasion on which Jack and Rose talk as Jack freezes to death before the lifeboat comes to save them.
Overall I think this is an exceptional film. Although it is not one that I would choose to watch personally, it would be an excellent film for someone interested in love type themes, as this really is the main gist of the film. I feel that the sound effects, lighting effects and camera angles were used in a very effective way to set the different scenes. The film is very moving and emotional. Although it is not my type of film I do agree with the essay question “A tale of forbidden love and courage in the face of disaster that triumphs as a true cinematic masterpiece”, I agree with this quote as the various effects used come together to make a great film. I recognise that to someone who likes this type of film it could possibly be one of his/her favourite films. The scenes of the boat sinking and people dying everywhere are very emotional and effective. So to round off it is not a film I would watch but I do agree it is a cinematic masterpiece and would recommend it to anybody who likes love stories.
