Ghosts of the Abyss

Titanic 3D: Ghosts of the Abyss<
Directed by	James Cameron
Produced by	John Bruno James Cameron Chuck Comisky Janace Tashjian Andrew Wight
Language	English

Ghosts of the Abyss is a 2003 documentary film released by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media. It was Disney's first film produced in 3-D and was directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron after his 1997 Oscar-winning film Titanic. During August and September 2001, Cameron and a group of scientists stage an expedition to the wreck of the RMS Titanic, and dive in Russian deep-submersibles to obtain more detailed images than anyone has before. With the help of two small, purpose-built remotely-operated vehicles, nicknamed "Jake" and "Elwood", the audience too can see inside the Titanic and with the help of CGI, audiences can view the ship's original appearance superimposed on the deep-dive images.

Also along for the ride Cameron invites friend and actor Bill Paxton who played Brock Lovett in the 1997 film. He narrates the event through his eyes. The film itself was premiered for IMAX 3D and was also nominated for a BFCA award for Best Documentary. The submersibles Mir 1 and Mir 2 carried the filming team on twelve dives. The film is also known as Titanic 3D: Ghosts of the Abyss.

Outline

Director James Cameron returns to the site of the 1912 wreck of the Titanic. With a team of history and marine experts and friend Bill Paxton, he embarks on an unscripted adventure back to the final grave where 1,517 people lost their lives in 1912. Using technology developed for this expedition, Cameron and his crew are able to explore virtually all of the wreckage, inside and out, as never before. This documentary was made for IMAX 3D Theatres and specially outfitted 35mm 3D theaters. Cameron and his team bring audiences to sights not seen since the sinking 91 years previously to the filming and explore why the vessel continues to intrigue and fascinate the public. While diving on September 11, 2001, the filming crew hears about the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Afterward, they all compare and reflect on the tragedy of 9/11 with the tragedy of the Titanic. Ironically, James Cameron had taken a plaque down with him to be laid on Titanic the morning of September 11th, 2001. When they returned next to the ship following the 9/11 attacks the plaque was laid on Titanic's stern. The plaque read:

THE 1500 SOULS LOST HERE STILL SPEAK, REMINDING US THAT THE UNTHINKABLE CAN HAPPEN, BUT FOR OUR VIGILANCE, HUMILITY AND COMPASSION.

Release

The film was screened out of competition at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.

Home media

The feature film on the DVD is 90 minutes long and is available in a 2-disc edition and as the 5th disc in the Titanic 5-Disc Deluxe Limited Edition.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will release the film on on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD on September 11, 2012.

Soundtrack

The official soundtrack's songs were composed and conducted by Joel McNeely, and the orchestrations were conducted by David Brown, Marshall Bowen, and Frank Macchia. The album was also recorded and mixed by Rich Breen, edited by Craig Pettigrew, and mastered by Pat Sullivan. The album was ultimately produced by James Cameron, Randy Gerston and Joel McNeely and released by Disney's Hollywood Records label.