Watch this video from National Geographic that recreates the controversial scene

James Cameron, the director of Titanic, recently reignited the debate about the iconic “door” scene in the film. In the scene, Jack sacrifices his own life so that Rose can survive on a floating door. However, many have argued that there was enough room on the door for both of them to survive.

Cameron stated in an interview that the idea of there being enough room for both characters is “a complete fabrication.” He went on to explain that the door was not designed to float with two people and that it was a creative choice to have Jack sacrifice himself for Rose.

James got help proving his point from National Geographic who reenacted the iconic scene, only this time Jack gets on the “door” with Rose. Cameron points out that the stunt Jack, who’d been in the water longer, started shaking as his cooled blood coursed through his veins.

As part of this “recreation,” the two stunt doubles were submerged in 56 degree water for twice the amount of time Rose and Jack were floating in 28 degree water. University of Otago hypothermia expert James Cotter oversaw the experiment and the video shows just how difficult it would have been for Jack, let alone Rose, to have survived in such challenging circumstances.

See the rest of the experiment during “Titanic: 25 Years Later with James Cameron” documentary special on National Geographic debuting February 5th.

So there!

Susan Saunders 1/18/23