James Cameron's Titanic (Paperback)

by James Cameron (Author), Ed Marsh (Author), Jain Lemos (Author) "You see this little old lady and her Pomeranian staring out the window of what could be this Greyhound bus" explains James Cameron, "and then..." (more)
Key Phrases: Dining Saloon, Digital Domain, Grand Staircase (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
James Cameron's Titanic is a book conceived on the epic scale of the movie--not only do the massive page size and sky-high production values of the book do justice to the big ship, they give Kate Winslet's titanic hats an impact comparable to what the big screen gives them. It's also fun to get the effect of exploring a set as vast, complex, and fiscally and physically dangerous as the one Cameron created for Titanic the film. He is Hollywood's answer to Ahab, so he deserves a great big book.

Nor will fans be disappointed to hear Winslet break character--she plays an upper-class lass from the stuffiest circles--and explain how she helped her costar prepare for their first scene together, in which she stripped for her dishy portrait. "I was naked in front of Leo on the first day of shooting," says Winslet in the book. "She had no shame with it," says DiCaprio, who apparently despises shame. "She wanted to break the ice a little beforehand, so she flashed me. I wasn't prepared for that, so she had one up on me. I was pretty comfortable after that."

While the stars were getting acquainted and the wild-eyed director was figuring out historically unprecedented ways of blending live footage with computer imagery ("Cheat the size of the tugboats 10 percent smaller ... It will make the ship look even more majestic as it leaves Southampton!"), the core cast of 150 extras was taking a crash course in manners. Etiquette coach and choreographer Lynne Hockney even taught the Core (as they were called) that there was a proper way to laugh. "It was the Gilded Age, a time of the grand hostess, lavish parties and tireless pleasure-seeking," Hockney says in the book. "And each social class was scrambling to reach the one above it. This made proper behavior terribly important.... You cannot slouch in a corset, for example. You perch." One wishes there was a frame or two from the Hockney film running on a tape loop in the wardrobe building, Titanic Etiquette: A Time-Traveler's Guide. If it were available for sale, people would be buying it.

On the other hand, there's always the movie. Or this book. --Tim Appelo

Product Description
James Cameron's Titanic  chronicles the cinematic re-creation of the most legendary ocean disaster of all time as seen through the eyes of a master storyteller. Set against the ship's fateful maiden voyage, Cameron's much anticipated motion picture epic weaves a rich human tapestry of romance, heroism, tragedy and greed.

Within these pages is a detailed look at the monumental effort by thousands of artists and craftsmen to accurately re-create the "ship of dreams," including the full-size exterior replica of the ship and the 17-million-gallon tank facility designed to sink her; a wealth of detailed interior spaces; new discoveries from Cameron's 1995 dives to the wreck, some two-and-a-half miles below the ocean surface; studies of the ornate wardrobe, makeup and hairstyles that defined the look of the "Gilded Age"; an overview of the film's groundbreaking visual-effects work; and in-depth interviews with cast and crew, all referenced to the historic events of the Titanic's  maiden, and final, voyage.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; 1 edition (December 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0006490603
• ISBN-13: 978-0006490609
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 10 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (314 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #349,231 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #56 in	Books > History > World > Transportation > Ships > Titanic
  #90 in	Books > History > World > Transportation > Ships > Ships & Shipwrecks

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful movie companion!, May 11, 2001

By	D. Litton (Wilmington, NC) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: James Cameron's Titanic (Hardcover)

"James Cameron's Titanic" has a little something for all different sets of movie fans. There's an incredible amount of photos and captures from the movie which will no doubt be scanned and posted on the net by hundreds of the movie's teenage fans (and those sites DO exist), while the way in which the making of the film is presented in words and behind-the-scenes photographs will surely please film students and buffs. The detail payed to the execution of the material is as meticulous and praise-worthy as the movie itself. This is a must-have for any fan of the movie, offering more than you could ask for for a movie that gives you everything you want from it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dazzling, January 16, 2001

By	Enzo Petrella (Miami, Florida USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a filmmaker, this book provided me with great insights on the making of one of the most seen films of all times. It's awesome for filmmakers as well as regular audience. It will blow you away. You will see the film under a different light.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!, August 16, 1999

By A Customer

If you loved the beautiful film, you'll love this! The pictures are beautiful and it makes you appreciate the talent even more. Simply amazing!