By Rachel Benoit

The tragic tale that captured the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide is back on the big screen, and now it is in 3-D. “Titanic,” winner of 11 Academy Awards and four Golden Globes, will return for a limited time to movie theaters in honor of the 100^th anniversary of The Titanic sinking in 1912 and the death of more than 1,500 passengers. “It is one of the best love stories of all time,” Jennifer Brideau, a local fan, commented about the movie. “I would pay to see it again in theaters, and I will probably cry just like I did the first time I saw it.”
“Titanic” portrays the romance between a poor boy named Jack and the wealthy girl Rose, who meet aboard the ill-fated journey on this “unsinkable ship.” Not only does the movie boast an award-winning cast, director, and cinematography, but it gives the public something that 9-11, Hurricane Katrina, and the BP oil spill can also appeal to – in other words, people are fascinated with disasters.
This movie showcases the historic travesty in 160 minutes, and gives its audience a front-row seat as this luxury liner sinks into the chilling waters of the Atlantic, with many of its passengers plummeting into their watery graves. What seems to make the film so effective and powerful is that this event really did occur.
Amanda Vasquez, who has seen the movie five times since it first came out when she was 13, said, “The movie was amazing and terrifying at the same time. It stayed with me for a long time, even as a kid. I mean, those actors weren’t just playing an imaginary role. Real people did die from this.”
The Titanic has been featured in movies, books, songs, and museums, and continues to be remembered to this day even though its story is almost a century old. “It’s this great sort of metaphorical novel that actually happened,” the “Titanic” director James Cameron has previously stated.
James Delgado, who is director of maritime heritage at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, expresses a similar feeling about the tragedy. “The story is ageless, like all great stories,” he says. “The elements in this case of triumph, tragedy, and hubris, of bravery and cowardice, all wrapped up in one brief moment. That speaks to people.”
These statements can be supported by the fact that the final gross for the movie “Titanic” was $1,242,091,767, making it the second-highest grossing movie of all time – behind “Avatar,” which was also directed by James Cameron.
And with the film returning to the big screen for the anniversary of the disaster, that income will increase. Vasquez confirmed that she would be watching the film for a sixth time, saying “I’m bringing my teenage daughter with me. It is something I’m sure she won’t forget.”
“Titanic” will be aired for a limited time starting on Wednesday at 1 p.m., and Fitchburg residents can watch the film at the local movie theater Cinema World, located on 476 John Fitch Highway. To find additional movie times, call Cinema World at (978)345-6700 or visit their website at http://www.cinemaworldtheaters.com/.