Bernard Hill starred as Captain Edward Smith (Picture: 20th Century Fox/Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
‘I don’t think anybody realised just how big it was going to be.’
Legendary actor Bernard Hill, who played Captain Edward Smith in Titanic, has looked back on the James Cameron classic as it turns 25 years old.
‘It didn’t seem iconic from my point of view,’ he admitted.
‘I know others on the cast don’t see it like that. It was kind of a group thing. A small budget film, everybody really liked each other and there was no strain. It was quite intimate,’ he explained
However, there was one clue that signalled what the movie could one day become – ‘Jim doesn’t make small films.’
Truer words were never spoken. The Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet led movie became one of the biggest box office successes of all time, and to date has grossed more than $2billion (£1.6b) – only one of five films to ever do so.
Chatting to Metro.co.uk, Bernard revealed some of the most memorable on set moments, and what the film’s legacy has meant to him.
James Cameron would ‘crucify’ actors
James Cameron definitely wanted the best out of his actors (Picture: Jon Furniss/WireImage)
Bernard got on well with director Cameron. But he was quick to point out that that wasn’t the case for everyone.
‘He always wants to work through a scene with an actor and give them opportunities to do it again, and work it out, to work with them on the different routes through a scene,’ he recalled.
As for why not everyone got on with Cameron, Bernard added: ‘I thought about it quite a lot really, if everybody’s working to the top of their potential, as James Cameron does every day, you’re fine. Wherever that leaves you, it’s still fine. But it’s people who don’t actually reach for their full potential and he can’t bear it.
‘And if you’re doing that, he’ll knock you out. He’ll crucify you…He got very bored with people who wouldn’t or couldn’t do it.’
Last year, Cameron reflected on his past films, and reportedly said in his Cameron Masterclass: ‘I could’ve listened more. I could’ve been less autocratic. I could’ve not made the movie more important than the human interaction of the crew.’
Bernard had an incredible connection to co-star David Warner
David Warner played Spicer Lovejoy (Picture: CBS via Getty Images)
David Warner, who died earlier this year, played Spicer Lovejoy, Caledon Hockley’s personal valet and bodyguard, in Titanic.
But he and Bernard has actually met years earlier – and had an incredible connection.
‘The person I was looking forward to meeting was David Warner,’ Bernard shared.
‘David Warner was massively instrumental in me becoming an actor in the first place. He did Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford and it was just breathtaking. I went with some friends of mine, we travelled through the night to get cheap tickets and join the queue first thing in the morning.’
Bernard recalled that, years later, he was invited onto a radio show at Old Trafford, and Warner was there filming a TV series. While he was conflicted about whether to say anything to him, he ultimately decided he had to, but then noticed the actor coming towards him.
‘I said at the same time as him, “There’s something I’ve got to tell you.” I was astonished he even knew me. He said, “My wife said if ever I got to meet you, I was to tell you what a wonderful actor you are.” And I’m thinking, “What?!” I was gobsmacked. Does she know who she’s married to?!
‘I said, “I came to see your Hamlet.” And he said, “Oh right, that.” Oh right, that?! I said, “What you did in Hamlet, all the improvisations you did for it, you made me realise I wanted to be an actor.”
‘[Before that] I thought I was lying to myself, I thought I was being a bit of an idiot. People like me don’t become actors. But one got through and it was me! It was astonishing really, and we just had a chat.’
Years later, the pair got to catch up on Titanic, with Bernard recalling: ‘I used to go and find David and we’d have a beer or some tea in his room and catch up.’
He added of his admiration for the late actor: ‘Even his name used to cause a lump to come in my throat. I was terrifyingly in awe of him and his talent.’
Bernard got ‘told off for saving his own life’
The water started coming in rather than just building up against the windows (Picture: CBS via Getty Images)
Cameron used a mix of practical effects and CGI to film Titanic, with a 775-foot replica of the ship. However, not everything went to plan.
Bernard recalled filming one scene, where the Titanic starts to sink.
‘Instead of the water building up against the windows outside, the water was coming in because it had been dipped in water for quite a while during the week. and the floorboards had warped,’ he remembered.
‘There was a dais to stand on for the guy at the wheel, this big heavy piece of wood…the next thing I know, the water was almost up to our waist and this massive piece of wood just went “oof” and came off its catches and broke its nails. And if that had hit either of us, it would have been disastrous, it would have been a serious injury.’
He continued: ‘I was slashing across my throat to say, “We’ve got to cut” and then Josh [McLaglen, assistant director] came in and said, “Don’t ever call cut!”…
‘I called it early because I was getting worried, especially when that piece of wood came up. I got told off for saving my own life!’
Forest fires nearly threatened the Titanic tapes
Titanic has gone down in film history (Picture: CBS via Getty Images)
On the topic of things not going to plan…
‘While we were filming, there were forest fires,’ Bernard recalled. ‘And I knew [Cameron] was in Malibu, and I said, “Are you alright with the fires? Are they near you?”‘
Cameron confirmed that the fires were nearby and that the whole film was with him. However, Bernard went on to say that the movie wasn’t in any real trouble due to Cameron’s specific storage requirements, adding it was ‘as safe as it possibly could be’.
Bernard recalled: ‘He said, “I’ve got a special storage place, climate controlled.”…He said, “It’ll be fine, if there’s a problem we’ll get it out quickly.”‘
When he visited Cameron’s home, Bernard asked to see where the film was stored.
‘He went into a room and opened the door and it just went, “Pshh!” in true James Cameron style. There was water vapour and smoke, it was so cold in there.’
He still gets recognised – and is astounded at the film’s legacy
Bernard, pictured earlier this year, is still recognised for his role in Titanic (Picture: Getty)
Confirming he still gets recognised 25 years on, Bernard said: ‘Nobody really knows who I am! They say, “You were the captain on the Titanic,” and I’d say, “No I’m far too young for that!”‘
Of course, Bernard played one of the few characters in the film actually based on a real person. The real life Captain Smith, who was master of numerous White Star Line vessels, was 62 when he perished on the Titanic.
However, Bernard didn’t feel the pressure of playing a real-life historic figure.
‘I didn’t think about it, I just got on with it, really,’ he reflected.
‘I’d done my research, I’d done some background reading on Smith, and I thought I was doing him justice. It’s the same when [actors] play other people. I’ve played John Lennon three times in total. There were things that John Lennon was doing, where no one knew how he behaved, like walking down the street, picking his nose, or having an argument, that kind of thing.
‘So you’re at liberty to do it the way you think you should be doing it. As long as you’re being true to the character. If you’ve done your research and you’re being true to it, then it’s going to work.’
Titanic has gone down in film history, and its legacy will live on for years to come – whether people are re-watching it hundreds of times, or debating about it on the internet.
For the record, Bernard’s having none of the online debate that Rose could have moved over a bit to let Jack on the door.
‘If you’re watching the film on that level, so intensely, then we’ve failed! It shouldn’t make any difference, you shouldn’t be thinking about that!’ he insisted.
But, 25 years on, people’s love for the film still astounds him.
‘I met a lad the other day who’s seen it 30 times. [Someone else said], “I can beat that, I’ve seen it 45 times.” 45 times! And then [someone else], I saw it 113 times. Everyone’s trying to outdo each other!’ he pointed out, before asserting: ‘People are a bit bonkers.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for James Cameron for comment.
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‘I don’t think anybody realised just how big it was going to be.’
