Old Rose quotes from Titanic (1997)

Old Rose

This was mine. How extraordinary! And it looks the same as it did the last time I saw it. The reflection has changed a bit.

Old Rose

It was the ship of dreams to everyone else. To me, it was a slave ship taking me back to America in chains. Outwardly, I was everything a well brought up girl should be. Inside, I was screaming.

Old Rose

I saw my whole life as if I already lived it. An endless parade of parties and cotillions, yachts and polo matches. Always the same narrow people, the same mindless chatter. I felt like I was standing at a great precipice, with no one to pull me back, no one who cared or even noticed.

Old Rose

That's the last time I ever saw him. He married, of course, and inherited his millions. But the crash of '29 hit his interests hard, and he put a pistol in his mouth that year.Or so I read.

Brock! Brock! There's a satellite call for you.

Brock Lovett

Bobby, we're launching now. You see these submersibles going into the water? [motions to the subs]

Trust me, buddy, you wanna take this call.

Brock Lovett

This better be good.

And you gotta speak up, she's kinda old

Brock Lovett

Great. [on the phone] This is Brock Lovett. How can help you, Mrs... ? [turns to Bobby]

Calvert. Rose Calvert.

Brock Lovett

Mrs. Calvert?

Old Rose

I was just wondering if you had found the "Heart of the Ocean" yet, Mr. Lovett.

Told you you wanted to take this call.

Brock Lovett

Alright. You have my attention, Rose. Can you tell us who the woman in the picture is?

Old Rose

Oh yes. The woman in the picture is me.

Brock Lovett

Louis XVI wore a fabulous stone that was called the Blue Diamond of the Crown, which disappeared in 1792, about the same time old Louis lost everything from the neck up. The theory goes that the crown diamond was chopped too... recut into a heart-like shape that became known as the Heart of the Ocean. Today it would be worth more than the Hope Diamond.

Old Rose

It was a dreadful, heavy thing. I only wore it this once.

Lizzy Calvert

You actually believe this is you, nana?

Old Rose

It is me, dear. Wasn't I a dish?

Old Rose

It's been 84 years...

Brock Lovett

It's okay. Just try to remember anything. Anything at all.

Old Rose

Do you want to hear this or not, Mr. Lovett? It's been 84 years, and I can still smell the fresh paint. The china had never been used. The sheets had never been slept in. Titanic was called the Ship of Dreams, and it was. It really was.

I don't see what all the fuss is about. It doesn't look any bigger than the Mauretania.

Caledon Hockley

You can be blas? about some things, Rose, but not about Titanic. It's over a hundred feet longer than the Mauritania and far more luxurious. Your daughter is far too difficult to impress, Ruth.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

So this is the ship they say is unsinkable.

Caledon Hockley

It is unsinkable. God himself could not sink this ship.

Molly Brown

Hey, uh, who thought of the name Titanic? Was it you, Bruce?

J. Bruce Ismay

Yes, actually. I want to convey sheer size, and size means stability, luxury, and above all, strength.

Do you know of Dr. Freud, Mr Ismay? His ideas about the male preoccupation with size might be of particular interest to you.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

What's gotten into you?

Excuse me. [rises and leaves]

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

I do apologize.

Molly Brown

She's a pistol, Cal. Hope you can handle her.

Caledon Hockley

Well, I may have to start minding what she reads from now on, won't I, Mrs. Brown?

J. Bruce Ismay

Freud? Who is he? Is he a passenger?

Jack Dawson

Don't do it!

Stay back! Don't come any closer!

Jack Dawson

Come on, just give me your hand. I'll pull you back over.

No, stay where you are! I mean it! I'll let go!

Jack Dawson

No, you won't.

What do you mean, "No I won't"? Don't presume to tell me what I will and will not do, you don't know me!

Jack Dawson

Well, you would've done it already.

You're distracting me! Go away!

Jack Dawson

I can't. I'm involved now. If you let go, I'm gonna have to jump in there after you.

Don't be absurd. You'd be killed!

Jack Dawson

I'm a good swimmer.

The fall alone would kill you.

Jack Dawson

It would hurt. I'm not saying it wouldn't. To tell you the truth I'm a lot more concerned about that water being so cold. [slowly removing his boots]

How cold?

Jack Dawson

Freezing. Maybe a couple degrees over. You ever been to Wisconsin?

What?

Jack Dawson

Well, they have some of the coldest winters around. I grew up there, near Chippewa Falls. I remember when I was a kid, me and my father, we went ice fishing on Lake Wissota. Ice fishing is you know where you...

I know what ice fishing is!

Jack Dawson

Sorry. You just seemed like, you know, kind of an indoor girl. Anyway, I fell through some thin ice and I'm telling ya, water that cold, like right down there, it hits you like a thousand knives stabbing you all over your body. You can't breathe. You can't think. At least not about anything but the pain. Which is why I'm not looking' forward to jumping in there after you. But like I said, I don't have a choice. I guess I'm hoping you'll come back over the railing and get me off the hook here.

You're crazy!

Jack Dawson

That's what everybody says. But with all due respect, miss, I'm not the one hanging off the back of a ship here. Come on, give me your hand. You don't want to do this. [Rose turns around and takes Jack's hand] Whew! I'm Jack Dawson.

Rose DeWitt Bukater.

Jack Dawson

I'm gonna have to get you to write that one down. Come on.

Mr. Dawson, I--

Jack Dawson

Just call me Jack.

Jack, I want to thank you for what you did. Not just for pulling me back, but your discretion.

Jack Dawson

You're welcome.

Look, I know what you must be thinking. "Poor little rich girl, what does she know about misery?"

Jack Dawson

NO! No, that's not what I was thinking. What I was thinking was, what could've happened to this girl to make her think she had no way out.

It was everything. It was my whole world and all the people in it, and the intertia of my life. Plunging ahead and me powerless to stop it. [shows Jack her engagement ring]

Jack Dawson

God, look at that thing! You would've gone straight to the bottom.

Jack Dawson

Do you love him?

Pardon me?

Jack Dawson

Do you love him?

Well, you're being very rude. You shouldn't be asking me this.

Jack Dawson

Well, it's a simple question. Do you love the guy or not?

This is not a suitable conversation.

Jack Dawson

Why can't you just answer the question?

This is absurd. I don't know you and you don't know me and we are not having this conversation at all. You are rude and uncouth, and presumptuous, and I am leaving now. [starts shaking Jack's hand] Jack... Mister Dawson, it's been a pleasure. I've sought you out to thank you, and now I have thanked you.

Jack Dawson

And you've insulted me.

Well, you deserved it.

Jack Dawson

Right.

Right. [still shakes Jack's hand]

Jack Dawson

I thought you were leaving.

I am. You are so annoying.

Jack Dawson

Ha, ha.

Wait, I don't have to leave, this is my part of the ship. You leave.

Jack Dawson

Oh ho, ho, well well well, now who's being rude?

You have a gift, Jack, you do. You see people.

Jack Dawson

I see you.

And?

Jack Dawson

You wouldn't have jumped.

Teach me to ride like a man.

Jack Dawson

And chew tobacco like a man.

And spit like a man!

Jack Dawson

What, they didn't teach you that while finishing school?

No!

Mother! May I introduce Jack Dawson?

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

Charmed, I'm sure.

Old Rose

The others were gracious and curious about the man who had saved my life. But my mother looked at him like an insect. A dangerous insect which must be squashed quickly.

Molly Brown

Well, Jack, it sounds like you're a good man to have around in a sticky spot-- [a bugler sounds the meal call] Why do they always insist on announcing dinner like a damn cavalry charge?

Shall we go dress, mother. See you at dinner, Jack.

Colonel Archibald Gracie

All life is a game of luck.

Caledon Hockley

A real man makes his own luck, Archie. Right, Dawson? [Jack nods]

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

And you find that sort of rootless existence appealing, do you?

Jack Dawson

Well, yes, ma'am, I do... I mean, I got everything I need right here with me. I got air in my lungs, a few blank sheets of paper. I mean, I love waking up in the morning not knowing what's gonna happen or, who I'm gonna meet, where I'm gonna wind up. Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge and now here I am on the grandest ship in the world having champagne with you fine people. I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You don't know what hand you're gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you... to make each day count.

Molly Brown

Well said, Jack.

Colonel Archibald Gracie

Hear, hear!

To make it count.

To make it count! [Jack smiles, holds up his champagne and everyone drinks]

Jack Dawson

I'm gonna dance with her now, all right? [looking at Rose] Come on.

What?

Jack Dawson

Come on! Come with me.

Jack! Jack, wait! I can't do this.

Jack Dawson

We're gonna have to get a little bit closer. Like this. [looks at Cora] You're still my best girl, Cora.

I don't know this dance!

Jack Dawson

Neither do I! Just go with it! And don't think!

Caledon Hockley

I hope you would come to me last night.

I was tired.

Caledon Hockley

Your exertions below decks were no doubt exhausting.

I see you had that undertaker of a manservant follow me. How typical.

Caledon Hockley

You will never behave like that again, Rose. Do you understand?

I'm not a foreman in one of your mills that you can command. I'm you fiancee.

Caledon Hockley

My fian... My fiancee! (Upending the breakfast table out of the way in rage, breaking everything breakable) Yes, of course you are, and my wife. My wife in practice if not yet by law, so you will honor me. (Pushes his menacing face close to Rose) You will honor me the way a wife is required to honor a husband. Because I will not be made out a fool, Rose. Is this in any way unclear?

No.

Caledon Hockley

Good. Excuse me.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

Tea, Trudy!

Yes, ma'am.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

You're not to see that boy again Do you understand me? Rose, I forbid it.

Oh stop it, mother. You'll give yourself a nosebleed.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

This is not a game! Out situation is precarious. You know the money's gone!

Of course I know it's gone. You remind me every day!

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

Your father left us nothing but a legacy of bad debts hidden by a good name. That name is the only card we have to play. I don't understand you. It is a fine match with Hockley, it will ensure our survival.

How can you put this on my shouders?

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

Why are you being so selfish?

I'm being selfish?

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

You want to see me working as a seamstress? Is that what you want? To see your fine things sold at auction, our memories scattered to the wind?

It's so unfair.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

Of course, it's unfair. We're women. Our choices are never easy.

Mr. Andrews, forgive me, I did the sum in my head, and with the number of lifeboats times the capacity you mentioned, forgive me, but it seems that there are not enough for everyone aboard.

Thomas Andrews

About half, actually, you miss nothing Rose, do you? In fact, I put in these new type davits, which could take an extra row of boats inside this one. But it was thought, by some, that the deck would look too clutered. So I was overruled.

Caledon Hockley

A waste of deck space as it is, on an unsinkable ship.

Thomas Andrews

Sleep soundly, young Rose. I have built you a good ship, strong and true. She's all the lifeboats you need.

Jack, this is impossible! I can't see you.

Jack Dawson

But I need to talk to you.

No, Jack. No! Jack, I'm engaged! I'm marrying Cal. I love Cal.

Jack Dawson

Rose, you're no picnic, all right? You're a spoiled little brat even, but under that you're the most amazingly astounding girl - woman, that I've ever known and--

Jack, I--

Jack Dawson

No wait. Let me try to get this out. You're amazing... I'm not an idiot. I know how the world works. I've got ten bucks in my pocket and I have nothing to offer you, and I know that. But I'm too involved now. You jump, I jump, remember? I can't turn away without knowin' that you'll be alright. That's all I want.

Well, I'm fine. I'll be fine. Really.

Jack Dawson

Really? I don't think so. They've got you trapped, Rose! And you're goin' to die if you don't break free, but maybe not right away, 'cause you're strong, but sooner or later that fire that I love about you, Rose... That fire's gonna burn out.

It's not up to you to save me, Jack.

Jack Dawson

You're right. Only you can do that.

Hello, Jack. I changed my mind. They said you might be out here -

Jack Dawson

Shhh. Give me your hand. Now close your eyes. Go on, now step up. Now hold on to the railing. Keep your eyes closed. Don't peek.

I'm not.

Jack Dawson

Step up. Hold on, hold on. Keep your eyes closed. Do you trust me? [opens Rose's arms]

I trust you.

Jack Dawson

All right. Open you eyes!

I'm flying, Jack!

Jack Dawson

Come, Josephine, my flying machine, going up she goes, up she goes.
[They kiss passionately]

Old Rose

That was the last time Titanic ever saw daylight.

Brock Lovett

So we're up to dusk on the night of the sinking. Six hours to go.

Lewis Bodine

Incredible. There's Smith and he's standing there and he's got the iceberg warning in his **** hand, excuse me, his hand, and he ordering more speed.

Brock Lovett

Twenty-six years of experience working against him. He figures anything big enough to sink the ship, they're gonna see in time to turn. The ship's too big with too small a rudder. It doesn't corner worth a damn. Everything he knows is wrong.

Cal insists on carting this hideous thing everywhere.

Jack Dawson

Can we be expecting him anytime soon?

Not as long as the cigars and brandy hold out. [shows Jack the diamond]

Jack Dawson

That's nice. What is it, a sapphire?

A diamond, a very rare diamond. Jack, I want you to draw me like one of your French girls. Wearing this...

Jack Dawson

All right.

Wearing only this.

The last thing I need is another picture of me looking like a porcelain doll. [throws Jack a dime] As a paying customer, I expect to get what I want. [stands nude in front of Jack]

Jack Dawson

All right! Over on the bed - the couch. [Rose does so] Come, lie down.

Just tell me when it's right.

Jack Dawson

Put your arm back the way it was. [Rose does so] Now put the arm right over there. That hand, by your face there. [Rose does so] All right. Now, head down. [Rose lowers her head down] Eyes close on me. You try to stay still. [starts sketching]

I believe you are blushing, Mr. Big Artiste. I can't imagine Monsieur Monet blushing.

Jack Dawson

He does landscapes. Just relax your face.

That's right.

Jack Dawson

And no laughing!

Old Rose

My heart was pounding the whole time. It was the most erotic moment of my life. Up until then, at least.

Lewis Bodine

So what happened next.

Old Rose

You mean did we "do it"? Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Bodine, Jack was very professional.

Jack Dawson

Where to, miss.

To the stars. [they are inside the car]

Jack Dawson

Are you nervous?

No. Put your hands on me, Jack.

When the ship docks, I'm getting off with you.

Jack Dawson

This is crazy.

I know. It doesn't make any sense. That's why I trust it.

John Hutchinson

Boiler room six is flooded eight feet above the plain and the mail hold is worse. She's already buckled in the foreaft.

Captain Edward J. Smith

Can you shore up?

John Hutchinson

Not unless the pumps are ahead.

Thomas Andrews

Did you see the damage in the mail hold.

John Hutchinson

No, she's already underwater.

Jack Dawson

This is bad.

We should tell mother and Cal.

Mr. Andrews! I saw the iceberg and I see it in your eyes. Please, tell me the truth!

Thomas Andrews

The ship will sink.

You're certain?

Thomas Andrews

Yes, in an hour or so, all this will be at the bottom of the Atlantic.

Caledon Hockley

What?

Thomas Andrews

Please tell only who you must. I don't want to be responsible for a panic. And get to a boat quicky, don't wait. You remember what I told you about the boats?

Yes... I understand.

Molly Brown

Come on, sister, you heard the man, into the boat.

Caledon Hockley

Any room for a gentleman, gentlemen?

Only women at this time, sir.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

Will the lifeboats be seated according to class. I hope they're not too crowded.

Oh, mother, shut up! Don't you understand? The water's freezing and there aren't enough boats. Not enough by half. Half the people on this ship are going to die.

Caledon Hockley

Not the better half.

Molly Brown

Come on, Ruth, get in the boat. First-class seats are right up here.

Caledon Hockley

You know, it's a pity I didn't keep that drawing, It'll be worth a lot more by morning.

You unimaginable bastard!

Molly Brown

Come on, Rose, darlin', there's plenty of room for you. Come on, Rose. You're next, darlin'.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

Come into the boat, Rose. Rose, get into the boat!

Good bye, mother.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater

Rose, come back here, right now!

Caledon Hockley

Where are you going? To him? To be a whore to a gutter rat?

I'd rather be his whore than your wife.

Jack Dawson

Rose! You're so stupid. Why did you do that, huh? You're so stupid, Rose. Why did you do that? Why?

You jump, I jump, right?

Jack Dawson

Right.

Oh God! I couldn't go. I couldn't go, Jack.

Jack Dawson

It's all right. We'll think of something.

At least I'm with you.

Jack Dawson

We'll think of something.

Won't you even make a try for it?

Thomas Andrews

I'm sorry that I didn't build you a stronger ship, young Rose.

Jack Dawson

I don't know about you, but I intend to go write a strongly worded letter to the White Star Line about all this.

I love you, Jack.

Jack Dawson

Don't you do that, don't you say your good-byes. Not yet, do you understand me?

I'm so cold.

Jack Dawson

Listen, Rose. You're gonna get out of here, you're gonna go on, and you're gonna make lots of babies, and you're gonna watch them grow. You're gonna die an old... an old lady warm in her bed, not here, not this night. Not like this, do you understand me?

I can't feel my body.

Jack Dawson

Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me... it brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose. I'm thankful. You must do me this honor. You must promise me that you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise.

I promise.

Jack Dawson

Never let go.

I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go.

Jack. Jack! Jack, there's a boat! [starts getting impatient] Jack, wake up! [realizes he is dead, and starts to cry]

Can I take your name, please love?

Dawson. Rose Dawson.

Thank you.

Old Rose

Can you exchange one life for another? A caterpiller turns into a butterfly. If a mindless insect can do it, why couldn't I? Was it any more unimaginable than the sinking of the Titanic?

Lewis Bodine

We never found anything on Jack. There's no record of him at all.

Old Rose

No, there wouldn't be would there? And I've never spoken of him until now. Not to anyone. Not even your grandfather. A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets. But now you know there was a man named Jack Dawson, and that he saved me, in every way that a person can be saved. I don't even have a picture of him. He exists now only in my memory.

God Himself could not sink this ship.
You must promise me that you'll survive, that you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless.
A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets. But now you know there was a man named Jack Dawson, and that he saved me in every way that a person can be saved.

Lovett

Louis XVI wore a fabulous stone that was called the Blue Diamond of the Crown, which disappeared in 1792, about the same time old Louis lost everything from the neck up. The theory goes that the crown diamond was chopped too... recut into a heart-like shape that became known as the Heart of the Ocean. Today it would be worth more than the Hope Diamond.

Old Rose

It was a dreadful, heavy thing. I only wore it this once.

Lizzy

You actually believe this is you, Nana?

Old Rose

It is me, dear. Wasn't I a dish?

Lovett

I tracked it down through insurance records. An old claim that was settled under terms of absolute secrecy. Can you tell me who the claimant was, Rose?

Old Rose

I should imagine someone named Hockley.

Lovett

Nathan Hockley, that's right. Pittsburgh steel tycoon. The claim was for a diamond necklace his son, Caledon, bought his fiancée. You. A week before he sailed on Titanic. It was filed right after the sinking, so the diamond had to have gone down with the ship. See the date?

Lizzy

"April 14, 1912".

Bodine

Which means, if your grandmother is who she says she is, she was wearing the diamond the day the Titanic sank.

Lovett

And that makes you my new best friend.