It's likely that at some point you've been part of the big debate: could Jack have survived in Titanic if Rose had moved over on the door?
It's even more likely you've had this debate more than once, the argument becoming quite intense.
The debate is so controversial and has lasted for so long. — 27 years to be exact — that director James Cameron even did a documentary exploring whether there was, in fact, enough space for Jack on the door.
Now one person has the ultimate evidence for the next time they’re involved in the argument: being able to present the door itself. For science.
The floating piece of wood that helped keep Rose DeWitt-Bukater alive has been sold at auction for a staggering $718,750 (£569,739).
Offered at Heritage auctions via Planet Hollywood, the floating piece of wood was listed as having ’caused much debate from fans, many of whom have argued that it could have supported both Jack and Rose,’ which is an understatement.
More surprisingly, it’s revealed in the listing that the prop isn’t actually a door at all — it’s believed to be a piece of debris from when the ill-fated ship split in half, and which floated to the surface as the first half of the ship sank to the bottom of the ocean.
It’s made of balsa wood, with ornate floral accents and scrolling curves, based on actual debris that was salvaged from the wreck.
Director James put the debate to an end once and for all in 2023, when he re-enacted the heartbreaking scene with two actors and a prop of the exact same measurements.
And, surprisingly, he admitted Jack ‘might’ have lived — but he had to die.
In the National Geographic special Titanic: 25 Years Later With James Cameron, James and the crew recreated the famous scene with separate scenarios to see if both Jack and Rose could survive in the water.
One test saw Rose give her lifejacket to Jack to help protect him – which is different to the film – leading to the most positive outcome so far.
Noting that the actor’s stats ‘stabilised’, Cameron explains to camera: ‘He got into a place where if we projected that out, he just might’ve made it until the lifeboat got there.
‘Jack might’ve lived, but there’s a lot of variables.’
However, he added: ‘He needed to die. It’s like Romeo and Juliet. It’s a movie about love and sacrifice and mortality.
‘The love is measured by the sacrifice.’
