Above: The Goodwin Family, Below: The Jack Family (1996 Miniseries Titanic)
The Goodwin family actually appeared in the original script of the 1996 Miniseries Titanic: part 1 and part 2 but in the final script they were replaced by the fictional Jack family. This was changed because the James Cameron's 1997 film Titanic was due for release in the following year, so the production was completed in such a hurry that it was necessary to change the original script.
The changes include:
- Decreased number of children in the family (Jack's family only had 4 children while the Goodwins had 6).
- Augusta Goodwin is replaced by Clarinda Jack.
- Frederick Joseph Goodwin is replaced by "Black" Billy Jack.
- Lilian and Jessie is combined into one character named Ophelia Jack.
- Charles and William is combined into one character named Perry Jack.
- Harold and Sidney Leslie were replaced by two of Jack's youngest sons and daughter who were not named.
Role in film[]
The Jack Family first appearence
The Jack's family boarded the Titanic at Southampton, where they also accompanied a convert named Aase Ludvigsen. They first appeared being directed by Simon Doonan towards their cabin, Clarinda also told Simon that they were a family of converts.
They later met Jamie Perse, a third class passenger who got his ticket by stealing someone else's, and later became Aase's love interest. Clarinda led a small band playing the piano during the third class party, while the rest of the passengers were having fun and dancing.
When Clarinda saw Aase was injured (not knowing that she had been raped), she was shocked and immediately took her downstairs, telling her not to trust Jamie.
Not realizing how serious the circumstances were that the Titanic was sinking, Billy told Clarinda to play some music to calm the passengers. Until finally the Irish Bunkmate came to warn the passengers that the water had reached the deck below them.
Jamie Perse arrives, orders Billy and his family to come with him to the boat deck, but is blocked by a locked gate. A crew informed them that he could not open the gate without orders, but relented and allowed Aase, Jamie and a few women out. Clarinda refuses to leave without Billy, leaving her and her children locked behind the gate. Jamie promised them to find a way to get them out, but in the end he didn't come back because he fell into one of the lifeboats.
The Jack Family accepting their fate
Billy and Irish Bunkmate were forced to break the gate and immediately headed for the boat deck, but it was too late because all the lifeboats had been launched. Billy surrendered and felt that this was a cruel joke, Clarinda who also felt that there was no hope, hugged Billy and said that she loved him, then took their four children to sit on one of the benches.
Perry pointed to the sky, said there were so many stars, then they recited the Lord's prayer, before they were swept away by the water and died.
Behind the scenes[]
- Clarinda Jack is played by actress Tamsin Kelsey.
- "Black" Billy Jack is played by Eric Keenleyside.
- Ophelia Jack is played by Katherine Isabelle.
- Perry Jack is played by Lachlan Murdoch.
- Meanwhile, the youngest Jack's son and daughter, who are not named, are played by uncredited actors and actresses.
Trivia[]
- It would have been great if the 1996 miniseries had used the original script, as it was the only Titanic film to have the Goodwin family as their character.
- In the original script, it even shows how the Goodwins' final moments were before they died, such as when Augusta losing her daughter's grip when the Titanic's deck tilted completely.
- Also in the original script, it is described that steward John Hart forgot to return to pick up the Goodwins to take them to the boat while he was already in one of the boats himself. In the miniseries, Jamie is the one who is supposed to return to pick up Jack's family but ends up falling into the lifeboat.
- Some of the families seen in the 1997 film, and the Maloney family in the 2012 Miniseries may also be inspired by the Goodwin family.