Original subtitles

Well, gentlemen,

one half of our great adventure is over.

We have conceived and given birth to a mighty child. (CHUCKLES)

But as I see her at the quayside, I realise

it is not just a ship that has backbone of steel...

..but the people who built her.

Good luck to all of us.

And God protect us.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr JP Morgan.

Mr President,

ladies and gentlemen...

..we live in a time of strange methods, huge forces,

novel combinations.

A titanic world has sprung up around us.

And to stand still is to fall.

And to fall is to perish.

And in the spirit of this age, we gather here tonight

to celebrate a mighty venture.

A vessel built to rule the waves,

a craft of UNPARALLELED SIZE and LUXURY...

that shall dominate the transport of souls from the Old World to the New.

And so, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure

to give you the only ocean liner worthy of her name and of this age -

RMS Titanic.

Miss Yaegar.

Mr Morgan. I'd like to introduce someone to you.

This is Doctor Mark Muir. He worked on HMS Dreadnought.

I was her Chief Metallurgist, sir. Big battleship.

Ah, but yours will be bigger. Yes, she will.

I would like to offer my services to Titanic, Mr Morgan.

I believe you need me to build this ship.

'Need?' Why would I need you?

There are few who know more about the structure

of a ship's steelwork than me.

Especially for a vessel as large as Titanic.

You are venturing into the unknown, sir.

An arrogant statement.

It's not arrogant if it's true. Sir.

Hmm.

I think the President would like to see you.

Doctor Muir. Mr Morgan.

You. You.

You. You.

Yes, you. (MAN IN THE CROWD) Me, sir.

You. Yes, you.

Any chance today, sir?

Get lost, boy!

Hey!!

You.

What are you doing?

We're taking care of today's business. Get rid of him.

Hey. Hey!!

Leave him alone.

It's just another Catholic brat, sir.

They multiply like rats around here.

I don't care what he is, right? You leave him alone.

You wanna stay out of this.

(CROWD) Ooooh! (MAN) Go on, lad.

Smithy? Aye?

Go ahead.

(CROWD INCITES THEM)

Come on! Come on! Come on!

(CAR HORN BEEPS)

What's going on?!

Sorry, my Lord. This man here..! Be quiet.

What is your business here, sir? Are you Lord Pirrie?

Yes, I'm Pirrie!! Who are you?

I'm Mark Muir, sir.

I believe we have an appointment.

Ah, er, er...come with me.

Aft ribs, section three. Five copies.

Thank you, Mr Hatton. Get on with it now.

There's a meeting tonight you should come to. What's happening?

Can't tell you now. Just be there.

I'm sorry about that back there.

This city is very difficult to understand.

It's riven with division and prejudice.

Catholic and Protestant, rich and poor.

But there is also much to admire.

(LOUD NOISES FROM THE SHIPYARD)

You went straight to the Admiralty

after your studies at Imperial College? That's correct.

So you have no experience of commercial work?

That's right, Mr Andrews.

That's no matter. We could do with a few pure souls around here.

Doctor Muir,

could you explain precisely what you would offer,

why your contribution is so necessary?

We are building bigger and bigger ships, Lord Pirrie.

And we are building them using the same materials and technology

we used 20 years ago.

We stand at the border

where our ambition shall outstrip our technology.

And I'm here to stop that from happening.

It hasn't happened here yet and Harland & Wolff have been

building ships for 50 years.

Well, then, you've been lucky, Mr Andrews.

Go on.

You are building the biggest ship, the biggest machine

the world has ever seen.

You are in uncharted territory.

How will she respond in heavy seas?

A superstructure this big

will be under greater stress because of her size.

Obviously.

And you, Doctor Muir, you feel yourself the right person

to...'test our metal' so to speak?

No.

(SOFTLY) Oh.

I believe I'm the only man.

(UNINTELLIGABLE CHATTER FROM WORKMEN OUTSIDE)

Keep her coming, keep her coming!

Watch the swing at the back there.

Come on there, fellas, no slacking! Keep her coming!

Get the purchase there, Arthur! Let us through!

When the rivet holes are punched, is the steel hot or cold?

Did you want something, sir?

When the rivet holes are punched, are the steel plates hot or cold?

Cold, sir. Thank you.

Come on, boys!

You lose the morning, you lose the day. Let's get to it!

So, how are you finding Belfast, Doctor Muir?

A little parochial after London and New York?

No, not really.

Well, we like to think it's a city on the rise.

Where are you staying?

The Ambassador. Really?

We may be able to help you there.

Our drawing room, Doctor Muir.

Well, as you know, White Star have charged us

with building three ships of Olympic class.

Olympic itself, the Titanic you know about

and Gigantic which is still on the drawing board.

Should you wish for copies of plans, this is where you come.

Ah, Eddy. Morning, sir.

Er, let me introduce you to Doctor Mark Muir

who will be joining us today. Muir - Eddy Hatton, our office manager.

He's the chap who keeps the wheels turning around here.

I do my best! Pleased to meet you.

Eddy, does your mother still let rooms out? She does indeed, sir.

Doctor Muir here is looking for somewhere suitable.

He'd be welcome at our house. Excellent. Thank you.

- I'm sure you'll be very comfortable at the Hattons. - I'm sure I will.

(CHUCKLES)

Sir.

What do you want, mister?

I'm sorry.

Wrong house.

The high and mighty...

appear so

only because we are on our knees.

If it is good for the employer to have clean clothing,

good food, handbooks, pictures, music,

so it is good for the people to have these things too.

That is the claim that we are making.

(MAN, BARELY AUDIBLE) Aye, dead on.

And this great fight of ours is not simply a question of

shorter hours and better wages.

It's about our human liberty.

The liberty to live as human beings should live.

But NONE of this can be achieved...

..unless we can muster the organisation,

the unity and the sense of purpose

a union shall bring to the working man.

Or woman.

Or woman.

If, we the people of Ireland, unite

and by that I mean put aside our differences,

stand together whatever our creed, if we stand united and indivisible,

there's nothing that can't be achieved.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Doctor Muir.

So I hear you've joined our merry band?

Sir Henry is on the Board of Harland & Wolff

among his many other business concerns.

Da-Daddy may only have two thumb, but he has many pies.

(THEY ALL CHUCKLE)

My heart shall always belong in shipping.

We, Carltons, have been in shipping for many generations.

Muir worked for the Royal Navy, you know, Henry.

He helped design the Dreadnought.

They say she's unsinkable, Muir.

Is that correct?

No ship is unsinkable,

but it would take considerable effort to send her down.

(CHUCKLES) I'm very glad to hear it. Personally, I do not believe

there's another Navy can match our nautical capability.

The Americans are quite good. (CHUCKLES)

Oh, I wouldn't underestimate the Americans, Daddy.

Isn't it an American paying for all this? Quite true, Kitty.

Mr Morgan, among other things, is DEFINITELY an American.

(THEY ALL CHUCKLE)

(BUTLER) Mr and Mrs Charles Stokes. Mr Ashley Stokes.

Charles, Enid, come in, come in! We're late, I know. Sorry, Lady P.

Damn motorcar wouldn't start.

I'm going to fire that driver and get somebody who can make it go.

(CHILDREN LAUGHING AND PEOPLE TALKING)

Where have you been? Papa's getting angry.

Sofia, where have you been?

I was with Emily. Sorry, Papa.

Ah, yes. Doing what?

Just talking.

I'm sorry I'm late.

Your sister has cooked dinner. I'll do it tomorrow, Violetta.

Yes, you will.

How was work?

It was good.

Yeah. We should be finished at the Carltons quite soon.

Good.

Violetta!

Do you know what happened today in your dear Mr Carlton's factory?

Mary Sweeney was fired just for talking.

Maybe she talks too much.

You shouldn't lose your job because you talk. Enough!!

You should be more like your sister.

She works hard, she gets on well and she doesn't complain.

(CHARLES) The biggest mistake was sending them all to school.

Now that they can read and write, their heads are full of nonsense.

That's a little harsh.

You don't consider universal literacy a progressive move?

It has some advantage, but it also undermines the workforce.

Gives them fancy ideas.

What's fancy about them?

You know, 'brotherhood of man', 'workers' rights', all that tosh.

Tosh?

That's right. Tosh.

Really? A fair day's wage for a fair day's work?

We pay fairly.

I wonder if a man with five children

earning less than £2 a week would agree with that?

There's no-one starving.

Actually, in London, a 7-year-old girl starved to death.

Well, this is Belfast.

(CLEARS HER THROAT) So you are a metallurgist?

(PRONOUNCED CORRECTLY) 'Metallurgist', yes.

Yes, how fascinating!

What is that exactly?

It's a scientist who studies metal, Mother.

But science shall never replace good judgement or plain common sense.

Science is common sense. Researching facts, making accurate measurements,

comparing data, reaching inevitable conclusions arrived at by reason.

Science is the future of industry. Its most valuable resource.

There's also experience, Muir.

Yes, so long as experience isn't used

as an excuse for falling back on idle and outmoded practices.

Are you insinuating..? (INTERRUPTS) I think it's clear...

that science and experience hand in hand shall be our best way forward.

Wisdom of the ages, knowledge of the new.

Cricket starts tomorrow.

We're a man short. Do you want to play, Muir?

No, thank you. I don't play. Really?

I don't know what they're all so mopey about.

What promised to be a most tedious afternoon of sport

now holds all manner of possibilities.

Come on, Belfast! Come on you Harps! (WEAKLY) Come on, Belfast.

Oh come on, Walter! Pretend you're addressing

a public meeting or setting up a union!

(YELLS) COME ON, BELFAST! Better!

I don't understand this game.

Why not? It's not so difficult.

Why are we here?

To watch Michael. Ahh.

Come on, Michael!!

When can we go out again, alone?

We should go alone.

Sometime.

Come on, Michael! Come on! Come on!

(CHEERING)

Come along, Muir.

Three bottles of champagne, please, Moreland.

(GRAMOPHONE MUSIC)

Dance, Kitty?

In a minute. I'm talking to Doctor Muir.

I see.

Thank you. Poor chap.

His weekend is ruined. He does love his cricket.

To each his own.

Quite!

What is your own, Muir? Why are you not obsessed with bat and ball

like most Englishmen?

I don't know. Must be a strange deficiency of nature.

(CHUCKLES) You are a funny one.

Is that what brought you here? No, it's just an added benefit.

So then what?

A ship.

Just that?

Just that.

You speak like a man in love.

Perhaps I am.

She's a lucky girl, that ship of yours.

Now, please don't tell me that your 'strange deficiency of nature'

also prevents you from dancing? No.

(KNOCK ON DOOR) (DOOR OPENS)

Good morning. Good morning.

Let's go for a walk later. Huh?

It's for you.

Thank you. Oh, good morning, Signor Pietro.

Good morning. Thank you.

Let's go.

You.

You. You.

You. You.

You. You.

Do you still need a job? Yes, sir.

(MUMBLES) Come on.

This lad needs a job. Find him one.

My first task will be to test the tensile properties

of the steel you use.

You needn't concern yourself about the steel we use.

It's of the best quality.

That's what I'm here to check.

It has been checked at the testing house.

My experiments will be more precise, more advanced.

No disrespect, gentlemen,

but we broke a lot of new ground on HMS Dreadnought.

Dreadnought's steel had passed tests that no other ship,

military or commercial, has ever had to pass.

We've got a fairly high standard ourselves.(MEN HUM IN AGREEMENT)

I agree. I merely look forward to working together

to further the excellence of your work.

On another note... may I ask about your process?

Why is it that you do not heat the steel plates

before punching the rivet holes?

Perhaps you could leave that to another day.

Onto other business. The Keel Laying ceremony fast approaches.

I fail to see what he brings us.

Other than the good graces of our benefactor, Mr Morgan.

Yes, I understand that,

but our quality control has never been compromised.

I would never have seen a need for a metallurgist.

Still, he does raise a valid question

about ambition and technology.

Yeah, yeah, I know what you think.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Yes. Can I help you?

I was told by Mr Andrews you need these plans?

Yes. Thank you very much, Miss..?

Silvestri, sir. Silvestri?

You're Italian?

Born in Italy, but I'm Irish now.

I've been to Italy. Whereabouts are you from?

San Romano, sir. I don't know that.

I didn't think you would.

It's a very small village. In Tuscany.

I've been to Lucca.

Not so far from Lucca.

It's a place of remarkable beauty.

What exactly do you do here? Are you a designer?

No, I'm a copyist.

It's very important work.

Do you think? We all play our part.

Some parts are more interesting than others.

If you need any more plans..! I'll know where to come.

Have a good day, Miss Silvestri. You as well, Doctor Muir.

(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)

(HAMMERING AND POUNDING)

Right. This way.

Over here.

Hey, McCann! You said you could use a man. Here's one for ya.

He's only half of one.

Michael McCann. What's your name, son?

Jack Lowry.

Alright. This here is Jimmy Smith,

Arthur McAllister and Bill Armstrong.

What do you do best, Jack? Throw or catch?

Right. So, when Bill throws one of those rivets at ya,

you catch it in that tin can.

Then you use these to pick it out and shove it in one of them holes.

Think you can manage that? I'll try, sir.

Let's see if you can catch a rivet first.

It may not look like much, Jack,

but we've put one and a half million into the SS America.

She was 22,000 tons. You see this keel here?

We'll put 46,000 tons of metal on top of it.

This one's gonna reach the heavens, Jack. But not you.

You'll be far below with the rest of us.

Stick with Bill, he'll show you the workings of the bellows.

Come on, boys. Let's get back to it.

(SIGHS)

(GROANS)

(SIGHS) I don't know how much longer I can do this.

A long time yet. (DOOR OPENS)

Good afternoon, Madame.

Yes, that's nice.

Rather reminds me of that wonderful frieze we saw in Siena.

Ravenna, Mother. Yes, Ravenna.

Well, very nice! (CHUCKLES)

Keep it up!

Ah, thank you.

The beauty of our country is lost on these people.

If you had a choice, Italy or Ireland?

Italy, of course.

Culture, food, beauty.

But no work.

Have you heard about Mr Larkin's union?

I have seen this in Italy.

It leads to death and despair.

Ireland is always in conflict.

These men have a job, they should be happy.

Maybe it's for a better future.

I worry about my daughters.

Sofia's a good girl, but I worry she will be lost to these...new ideas.

(LOUD NOISES FROM MACHINES AT THE SHIPYARD)

(CALLS OUT) Doctor Muir!

Why don't you join me?

Near the end of each day, I like to come and inspect

what we've been doing.

I like to be close, feel the heat of the work.

I completely agree.

Yes, I don't think you're a man to sit back or be proud.

You like to get your hands dirty. Hmm.

Do you know how this ship started?

I don't. A drawing on the back of a napkin.

Yeah, I was dining with Morgan and we conceived the idea

of this vast ship as an answer to the threat

the Cunard Shipping Line poses to White Star.

All that from the back of a napkin.

Well, of course, since then it's grown in my imagination.

She is now far more to me than a mere thing of steel and iron.

She's...well,

she's the possibility of a greatness unimagined.

Not just for Morgan and White Star,

but for all the people here in Belfast building Titanic.

Does that sound rather too poetic, Doctor Muir?

(SOFTLY) No.

It sounds a realistic estimation of a possibility, sir.

You, er, you saw something of our divisions yesterday morning?

I did.

Mmm. Catholic and Protestant.

Still living on the edge of enmity.

And you'll never find a Catholic

in a position of responsibility or importance.

I see.

But I firmly believe this great ship will become a symbol of unity.

Yeah, the beginning of a new era.

Yes, of better times.

Exactly.

The employers cannot carry out industry nor accumulate profits

if they have not the goodwill of the workers,

or their acquiescence in carrying out that industry! (CROWD CHEERS)

Never a truer word was spoken.

We are now on the threshold of a newer movement, with newer hopes..!

Do you think it might stir things up a bit

if I went down there and listened to him myself?

I do.

Extraordinary man, that Larkin.

My God, if he had the power to unionise all the docks

in the north-west of England, think what he'll do here.

That's exactly what I'm thinking about.

Is that a worry, Thomas?

I'm afraid it's beyond my worry.

It's inevitable.

Join the NUDL.

Fight for your rights. Stand together, lads.

Join your union brothers.

Fight for your rights.

Stand up against the employers. Stand together, men.

You!

Get away from these gates!

Move along!

Move along now!

We're not moving.

This is a lawful assembly. You can't move us along.

We have every right to be here.

I'll show you what we can do!

(COMMOTION) Get your hands off him!!

Get out of here! Go on!

You have no authority here.

Look at them. Filthy rabble.

Come on, Doctor Muir. Let's go.

You're a disgrace!

Larkin is right. The profit is made on the back of the workers.

Why worry about this?

These men have jobs. They're lucky.

In Italy, there's no work. That's why you're here.

We have to start fighting back. Making demands.

Your father is worried about you.

About this kind of thinking. That you'll get into trouble.

We are not in Italy now, Andrea. My father knows that.

Right.

Sofia...

if you were not here, I wouldn't be here...you know?

Yes.

Let's walk.

So you're a metallurgist Eddy tells me?

You'll not be joining us for church then, Doctor Muir?

Leave him, Albert. A man's religion is his own business.

Church of England, are you, Doctor Muir?

No, Ma, he's a Catholic! (CHUCKLES)

Now, I know he's nothing like that.

The Cathedral has a good Anglican service, I believe.

You should go there.

(PRIEST PRAYS LATIN)

In nomine Patris, et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

(CONGREGATION) Amen.

(LATIN) Ite missa est. Deo gratis.

This, Mr Morgan, is the gymnasium.

Obviously equipped with the latest fitness devices -

rowing machine, cycling machine, vaulting horses.

(CHUCKLES) A real coup over Cunard!

Will we recoup on this?

I think it's a good idea.

It adds value.

Let's hope, at the very least, they get a good thirst

and we make it back at the bar! (CHUCKLES)

Er, the swimming pool, which will be warm salt water kept at 65 degrees.

We shall be the first ship ever to incorporate a pool on board.

Swimming pools! My God, William, this generation's gone soft,

don't you think?

The previous generation said the same. But they were wrong. Next?!

First class parlour suites.

Adams, Louis XIV and Georgian style.

Ah, yes.

What do you think our passengers' wives will think of this?

Well, let's just say I wouldn't mind a night in one of those staterooms!

I think it's grand, gentlemen.

I want you to imagine a connected, coordinated system of travel.

You sail in luxury on our White Star ships,

you are met at the docks by our White Star trains

and taken to your hotel. Also White Star.

Good.

(CLASSICAL MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND)

God, all the boring dignitaries and the drearily affluent

here to kiss the capacious bottom of Mr Morgan! (CHUCKLES)

Have you been introduced to the Mayor?

No.

Would you like to be? Not particularly.

Good choice. He's a crushing bore.

Now tell me, what's he like? Who?

Morgan. Is he really as terrifying as they say?

No, not at all. Besides, I don't think you'd terrified of anyone.

(CHUCKLES) Mark!

Joanna!

Surprised? I came with JP.

Joanna Yaegar. Kitty Carlton.

Pleased to meet you. You're a friend of Mark's?

We are friends, yes. That's lovely.

How do you know Doctor Muir?

Mark and know each other from New York.

I was covering a story for the New York Times

and he gave me a bit of background information.

You're a journalist. Yes, I get to work for a living.

How exciting that must be! Are you covering the story for Titanic?

In a sense. I help Mr Morgan with his press relations.

You must be the most invaluable asset!

(LORD PIRRIE) You remember Muir, JP? I certainly do!

So, Mr Muir, are you finding the work challenging?

Yes, I think so.

Good, good. And, er, any suggestions so far?

Well, there is a small problem with the riveting process.

Oh?

The steel plates are cold when you punch the rivet holes,

which means they're weaker, more prone to cracking.

If the steel plates are hot, this is not as likely to happen.

Cunard do this.

Cunard, William?

I don't think this is the time. Let's move on, JP.

Alright.

(ANGRY) That was completely inappropriate.

He asked the question. It was not the time.

God's sake, who the hell do you think you are?!!

Listen..! I know about the rivets.

Did you think you'd found something new?

I have had this conversation with Lord Pirrie and Ismay before.

But..! It is a financial matter.

This isn't JUST about money.

Muir, you have a lot to learn.

Are you avoiding me?

No.

So, what's wrong?

I've just been very distracted. Sorry.

Why so preoccupied?

I don't know.

Joanna, I....

..can't put my finger on it.

A head full of questions with no answers.

I can read you like a book.

That's what I love about you.

What are you reading? Catching up with an old friend -

Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He built bridges and tunnels..!

Railways and ships.

Railways and ships, yes.

(CHUCKLES) The first steamship

to cross the Atlantic was his - The Great Eastern.

I know who Brunel was.

I hope you find what you're looking for, Mark.

How many people are we expecting today, William?

How do you mean?

This is an historic event. I don't see any fanfare.

Laying the keel is more tradition, Mr Morgan.

Really, it's only the beginning. Right now there's not much to see!

We do have the New York Press here, JP.

Gentlemen, in three years' time, when we launch this ship,

the world will already know the story of her greatness.

People's fascination with it should start now.

We need to make a ship that people are compelled to travel on

just so they can say that they have.

Today we start building a legend that will last a thousand years.

Titanic will be the eighth wonder of the world, William.

She'll outlive us all.

Now, Joanna.

What are we gonna put on the front page of the New York Times?

You will be the front page, JP.

(CHUCKLES) Huh.

(UNINTELLIGABLE CHATTER FROM WORKMEN)

(WORKMAN) That's it, keep it coming!

Keep it ming!

Nearly there!

That's it. Got it! Got it!

Now, Mr Morgan, if I could just have a minute, um,

just a quick photo, please. On three. And one and two and three.

Thanks, folks. Thank you.

Ah, well done.

Well, there it is. Whatever 'it' is.

Oh, it's the backbone of the ship.

I'm gonna place this coin on it for good luck.

Never had you down as a superstitious man.

Generally I'm not but...

Sync & corrections by honeybunny www.addic7ed.com