Review of Raise the Titanic (1980) by Terri H — 04 Dec 2008

Based on the novel by Clive Cussler, this film (made 5 years before the wreckage of the Titanic was actually located) is the story of a government mission to find and raise the great ship to retrieve a rare mineral believed to be stored in one of its holds.

This mineral is the key to powering a new missle defense system. The government enlistes adventurer/pirate Dirk Pitt (Richard Jordan) to lead the mission which is in danger of being infiltrated by Russian spies.

Jason Robards and Anne Archer co-star. Sir Alec Guinness appears in a small role as a Titanic surivor who has key information to the exact location of the mineral on board the ship. Until the Titanic's wreckage was discovered in 1985, it was believed that the ship had sunk in one piece.

It's this belief that makes the idea of raising the ship plausible. The visual effects are really astounding, and hold up remarkably well today. Great detail is paid to every little part of the ship, and the scenes showing the wreck underwater look remarkably like the real thing.

Then there is the whole raising of the rust covered ship to the surface. If the ship returning to the surface isn't eerie enough to see, the sight of the Titanic sailing into New York (under tow), completing its voyage nearly 70 years later seems almost dreamlike.

Not an action packed movie, but a thrilling adventure nonetheless.