Movie model used in
'Raise the Titanic' Lifejacket

Photo provided by Jonathan Smith

This is one of the lifejackets made for use in the film "Raise The Titanic". The original opening scene's were filmed in early 1979 and showed Titanic as she was in 1912. Today what we all see is the photo montage which then cuts to the wreck on the ocean floor. In 1979 what was filmed was the sinking sequence using the films original 55ft model. The model showed Titanic on the night of April 14th and without those tall vents either side of the forward mast. The sinking shots were left to be desired. Small figurenes on wires were fixed along the decks, giving the impression of people onboard, and for some reason the FX crew thought it wise to show sparks flying out the funnels. After the rest of the filming came to an end, the original shot of the sinking liner did not look right alongside the rest of the film so it was finally cut and the photo montage was put in its place. However, if you do watch the film again, look closely. After the photo montage has ended and the wreck appears on the screen, take a good look, it shows Titanic as she was in 1912 sitting on the seafloor.