Is the story of Rose and Jack true or was it a fictitious element in an otherwise true disaster?

-- Tracy (Golldiloxx@aol.com), February 06, 1998

Answers

Almost every element of the movie is factual or at least based on fact with the exception of the story of Jack and Rose. And you experts correct me if I am wrong, but although Rose was saved by the lifeboat which returned, I am under the impression that not even one lifeboat came back to rescue those in the water.

-- Julie (joiner@stsplus.msstate.edu), February 06, 1998.

Jack and Rose are fictional characters in the movie. That's the reason why Cameron had to choose less known actors (that's not to say bad at all, just younger and with less awards on their record). However, the characters are based on real people. There was a Rose (third class) passenger who was rescued from the water and brought to Carpathia. And there was a Jack Thayer who was one of the few who suggested the split of Titanic, recorded by a drawer (although not too accurate) on Carpathia. Jack was 16 or 17. Apparently, there is even one person burried in Halifax with the name Jack Dawson (according to Cameron's on line interview). As for the diamond, it never existed, except for the Hope Diamond which is real. But there was an Arabic book on Titanic whose binder had lots of precious stones. The book most likely went down to the sea floor when Titanic had foundered. It hasn't been found yet.

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@ccs.carleton.ca), February 06, 1998.

Accoring to James Cameron, Rose was the name of his grandmother. Jack Dawson was fictional but he later found out that there was a man name J. Dawson who died on the Titanic. Rose.

-- Colleen (colleendi@earthlink.net), February 06, 1998.