James Cameron’s “Titanic” is an epic, action-packed romance set against the ill-fated maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic; the pride and joy of the White Star Line and, at the time, the largest moving object ever built. She was the most luxurious liner of her era — the “ship of dreams” — which ultimately carried over 1,500 people to their death in the ice cold waters of the North Atlantic in the early hours of April 15, 1912.
For thoughts on Titanic please check out our discussion on Homedance Film Festival here (go to 38:39).
Video Quality
Titanic makes its hotly-anticipated 4K UHD Blu-Ray debut with a fantastic 2160p/Dolby Vision transfer that allows the film to look the best it ever has on home entertainment. The previous Paramount Blu-Ray release from over a decade ago in 2012 has always been considered quite marvelous, and this remaster builds upon that strong foundation. While perhaps not flawless, this new 4K UHD release gets closer to perfection than ever with a host of lovely improvements.
The UHD disc contains very deep, rich colors throughout which unveils more of the natural splendor of the visual palette. The Dolby Vision digs deep when it comes to black levels that exercise a much greater depth and control than the previous Blu-Ray release. The picture maintains a notable amount of detail in darker environments and nighttime scenes. The release is almost completely free of black crush with elements resolving well. Highlights are much more robust and stable without veering into blooming. Skin tones look more natural and convincing throughout the film. The clarity of the transfer gives you a great amount of facial detail, and all print damage remains absent.
While there was initial concern after the latest theatrical re-release of the film that the inevitable 4K UHD Blu-Ray release would be scrubbed free of the natural film grain, we are pleased to report that this is not the case. This new 4K UHD Blu-Ray retains a good amount of natural film grain which reveals a lot of pleasing texture and detail within the transfer. For the first time on home entertainment, you can clearly see specific facets of the clothing and production design. There appear to be fleeting moments that have been sharpened ever so slightly, but for the most part, this transfer avoids many of the pitfalls of recent catalog titles from the studio.
The image showcases an awe-inspiring amount of depth that makes the space feel more three-dimensional than ever before. The improvements in contrast and overall clarity are amazing, especially when you look at the interior of the ship and the outfits of various characters. Character makeup also feels more textured and natural than ever before. There are a handful of special effects that can look a little less convincing after 25 years, but Paramount and Cameron have thankfully not been overly aggressive when it comes to using DNR trying to blend (or “fix”) things in a blunt manner. We much rather things look like they do on this disc than some ugly, smeary mess we have seen on other projects. This transfer easily bests any previous release of the film, and fans should be pleased with how well it has been treated.
Audio Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray comes with an upgrade to Dolby Atmos that elevates the experience greatly from a sonic perspective. This track honors the intention of the original soundscape while fleshing out the journey in welcome ways. From the opening moments of the iconic James Horner score, you are transported to this world with every note saturating the room with peerless fidelity. Even if the expanded channel allotment only buoyed this element of the film, it would be worth it. That being said, the addition of height channels aids not only in the score but also in various action set pieces and environmental elements such as the rushing water filling up the boat in the third act. These channels are rarely asked to carry the main load, but the ways in which they expand things work famously.
Dialogue comes through clearly without sound effects or the score drowning out important information. Even relatively minor scenes on deck or in a secluded cabin utilize distinct sounds that creep through the surrounds to provide some important ambient texture. All of the sounds in the mix seem carefully placed so that nothing ever feels unnatural. The subwoofer gets quite a workout from beginning to end, especially during the latter half of the movie or anytime in the engine room. The destructive moments, screams, and other sounds are given substantial weight within the mix. The soundtrack always exhibits strength while never sacrificing nuance. The film has been treated quite well from an audio standpoint. There are optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles provided.
Special Features
- Audio Commentaries: A trio of tracks are provided that delve into this film from nearly every perspective both technical and personal.
- Audio Commentary #1: James Cameron (from 2005)
- Audio Commentary #2: Cast and Crew (from 2005). Executive Producer Rae Sanchini, Producer John Landau, Deep Dive Technology Coordinator Ralph White, Second Unit Director Steve Quale, Actor Bill Paxton, First Assistant Director Josh McLaglen, Re-Recording Mixer Gary Rydstrom, Art Director Martin Laing, Camera Operator/Steadicam Jimmy Muro, Actress Gloria Stuart, Actor Lewis Abernathy, Actress Kate Winslet, Actress Frances Fisher, Costume Designer Deborah Scott, 4-Ward/VFX Supervisor Robert Skotak, Actor Danny Nucci, Composer James Horner, Music Editor Joe Rand, Director of Photography Russell Carpenter, Actor Jonathan Hyde, Actor Jason Barry, Actor Billy Zane, Actress Kathy Bates, Production Designer Peter Lamont, Actor Victor Garber, Actor Bernard Hill, Etiquette Coach Lynne Hockney, Unit Production Manager Kevin De La Noy, Digital Domain-VFX Supervisor Rob Legato, Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer Christopher Boyes, Stunt Coordinator Simon Crane, Actress Jeanette Goldstein, Actor Ioan Gruffudd, Core Extra Ellen Mower, Core Extra Judy Prestininzi, and Actress Suzy Amis
- Audio Commentary #3: Historians Don Lynch and Ken Marschall (from 2005)
- Documentaries
- Titanic – Stories From The Heart: A new 36-minute featurette in which director James Cameron, producer Jon Landau, and star Kate Winslet reminisce on the creation of the film, the casting process, the challenging moments faced, and more. There are some lovely reflections and great screen test footage that are cool to see.
- Reflections on Titanic: A 64-minute documentary that explores the making of the film from its conception to its production and eventual release and reception.
- Titanic – 25 Years Later with James Cameron: A 42-minute featurette that explores the enduring myths and mysteries of the shipwreck including the hotly contested idea of if the door could have been shared.
- Deleted Scenes: There are 30 unused scenes totaling 58 minutes provided with optional audio commentary from James Cameron.
- Production
- Behind-The-Scenes Presentation Hosted by Jon Landau: A 34-minute look at footage from the production of the film.
- Additional Behind The Scenes: A 35-part look at additional moments from the production totaling 35 minutes.
- Deep-Dive Presentation Narrated by James Cameron: A nearly 16-minute look at the tour of the real-life wreckage.
- $200,000,001 – A Ship’s Odyssey (The Titanic Crew Video): An 18-minute gag reel is provided.
- Videomatics: A three-minute look at the pre-visualization of key moments.
- Visual Effects: An eight-minute look at some of the visual effects in the film.
- Archives
- Trailer Presentation Hosted by Jon Landau (8:16)
- Music Video “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion (4:45)
- Still Galleries
- Titanic Scriptment by James Cameron
- Storyboard Sequences
- Production Artwork
- Photographs
- Ken Marschall’s Painting Gallery
- Concept Posters and One Sheets
- Credits (2005)
Final Thoughts
Titanic is one of the biggest films of all time, and it is easy to understand why. James Cameron combines the technical magic of moviemaking with a heartfelt story that moves the audience deeply. The epic length of the feature allows you time to fall in love with the characters before getting to the disastrous spectacle that you know is in store. The performances from a young Kate Winslet and Leonard DiCaprio are admirably established to breathe life into these characters. This film simply does everything right as grand studio entertainment. Paramount Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray which offers a fantastic A/V presentation and tons of special features. Fans of the film should embrace the noteworthy upgrade offered here. Highly Recommended
Titanic will be available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Digital on December 5, 2023.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Paramount Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.