Titanic Tropes: Captain Smith's Last Moments (1912-2012) 

The giant talking octopus version seems the most historically accurate.

Imagine being a captain dying on your ship and then 90 years later someone makes a film where a giant octopus saves you.

I wonder why James Cameron cut out the part with the gigantic, pink, talking octopus...

imagine been captain smith ready for death and a giant octopus saves you. try explaining that at the official inquiry

R.I.P. Bernard Hill (Captain Smith, 1944-2024).

Personally, I'm of the opinion that Smith and Andrews jumped off the bridge together as it flooded. Of course, we will never know for sure just how these two men met their fates, but assuming that is indeed the last anyone ever saw of Smith, then that means In Nacht und Eis may actually be the most accurate portrayal of his death. Actually, scratch that. The Legend of the Titanic was definitely what happened. Survivors did testify that the kraken held the sinking Titanic together in time to take Smith off and place him safely on an orca. Whatever they were on when they made that movie, I want some.

They didn’t fuck around in 1912. “Sir, isn’t it too soon to make a movie about this?”, “nah”.

The end of the 1943 one had me rolling with how everyone just goes nuts because the Captain basically said so.

Thank goodness that octopus saved them all...

I think the legend of the Titanic 1999 is an insult to everyone who died on that ship

It’s sad to know that the actor that made the captain in the 1997 movie died literally 2 days ago

1:40 depiction is hilarious. No panic. Everyone just standing and singing like they casually in church 😂😂

I absolutely LOVE the words spoken by George C. Scott’s 'Captain Smith' portrayal, in the 1996, made for television miniseries; drawing parallels between Greek mythology and RMS Titanic’s plight. Sure, the budget and production quality may have not have been of as high a caliber as others, but that particular bit of Titanic dialogue is my favorite. It adds a certain level of sophisticated thought, found to be generally lacking, even amongst some of the films of record breaking box office revenues, with the highest billed casts. Thank-you for including this scene.

3:52 There is a line often quoted in the newspapers : "God Himself cannot sink this ship". Well, she was appropriately named : the Titans dared to challenge the Gods, and for their arrogance, they were cast down... into Hell. You may not like the movie (tbh it's quite bad), but you gotta admit, this line was haunting. As much as it was beautifully delivered.

2012 Captain Smith's last words: I go now to my fathers, in whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed.

I personally believe that Captain Smith died more or less like in the 1997 movie. He knew the rules of the sea - a captain is always the last person who leaves the ship. He knew he could not survive because public opinion would never accept that many of his passengers died and he did not. In my opinion, he did not even try to save himself. He knew his fate from the moment where titanic hit the iceberg.

Titanic inquiry May 2d 1912 Lord Mersey - "Captain smith in your own words, tell the inquiry how you left the ship" Captain smith- The bridge had just gone under. and it was my duty to go down with the ship. but then a giant talking octopus grabbed me just as the ship broke apart. and placed me on a dolphin saving my life. Lord Mersey 😯

What were they smoking when they thought of the giant octopus?

For some reason, the 1953 version hits me the most. And that captain was very well cast.

"Now it's every man for himself!" lmfao, maybe the worst possible thing to say in that situation.

Meanwhile if this was the captain of the Cost Concordia, he would be sitting on that iceberg already, watching the ship sink, and telling people ''aww hell nah, I ain't going back, can't you see that the ship is sinking?''

RIP Captain Edward John Smith. May He Never Be Forgotten.

1997 is the only one the only time where we actually see Captain Smith die with the Titanic.

I actually quite liked the concept of 1996 and the 2012 Series that Murdoch and Smith had this last talk, I don't think they had time in real life for this. But I don't know I just like the idea they had a little talk before Andrews came and he and Captain Smith jumped over board when the bridge went under.

Would love if they did the last moments of the captain of the Concordia.

I had no idea that there were so many films about the Titanic. Now I'll have to try and locate copies of each of them! A very well done video!

Rumor has it that the octopus is still holding the titanic together

Even though its not the most historically accurate, i do like the 1953 titanic movie the most as it conveys the last moments of the disaster before the ships founders. A true masterpiece,

The first one "could" be true. Supposedly people say they saw Andrews and Smith jumping from the bridge. There seems to be a story going around of a man who looked like Smith had tried to swim up to the overturned boat, only to turn away when told there was no room left. Of course it was so dark that night, almost pitch black unlike what the movies would have you believe, that who knows who really jumped off the bridge. Could just be some lost and scared passengers who took a wrong turn. Same with the lifeboat story, there is no confirmation that I've heard to suggest for 100% if the swimmer was Smith or not. But the movies depict Smith as I dunno if I'd heroic, but an honourable man. Resigning his fate and entering the wheelhouse as Titanic sank, to go down with his ship knowing all aboard can't be saved. It is an interesting thought however to think that may not be the reality.

5:40 David Calder is a massively underrated actor (although all the other actors playing Captain Smith are very well cast as well).

That little shot from the 1953 Titanic movie was so well shot in a subtle but haunting way. We are shown a very sad scene of all the passengers and crew seemingly resigned to their fates. But as we the audience get so far into the scene all of a sudden we see them start to slowly move downwards, as if despite the scene we are given the horrifying reminder that we are still on a sinking ship.

Luckily, if you can call it that , the cold caused many survivors into hypothermia where a slow almost painless death awaited them before they could drown . I've sailed those Seas in Winter and they don't care about us one way or the other .

Glad he redeemed himself when he came to Gondor’s aid!

If smith managed to survive even if he was rescued from the water or on collapsible a/b his life after would be hell. He would have been ripped to ribbons at the inquires and forced to retire in disgrace. He would however he would get a second chance during ww1 when he would be called upon by the Royal navy to train cadets

How lonely he was in his final moment

Laurence Naismith and George C. Scott's performances as Capt. Smith were my particular favorite.

A beautiful moving compilation

I once read one of those crazy conspiracy newspapers in the 80s and it had the classic headline AFTER 70 YEARS THE CAPTAIN OF THE TITANIC IS FOUND IN A LIFEBOAT AND HIS PIPE IS STILL LIT

Poor Captain Smith. So emotional about those people dying. So tough.

I never realized how many films were made based on the Titanic.

R.I.P. CAPTAIN BERNARD HILL SMITH

When I saw the Titanic movie from (1953) and I saw that part where the passengers were singing that song as they were all just standing there accepting they're fate I actually started crying at that part feeling sorry for those poor souls.

4:56 You have no power here, gandalf the water

"every man for himself" instant panic

Captain Edward John Smith died on the 15th of April in 1912 aboard the Titanic in 1912.

4:53 🥺 (salutes)

I read that at least one survivor had a part in the 1912 version. And 2 survivors watched James Cameron’s version.

1997 will always be the most badass ending for the captain.

Cool video

We've come a long way and are fortunate enough to travel from UK to US within 6-7 hours. My salute to wright brothers 🙋‍♂️. You made travelling safe, easy and comfortable. Blessed to live in an era where everything seems very easy peasy.

1953 is just sad, everyone on the bridge just singing nearer my god to thee while Smith looks down probably at the water rising is just sad

They put a Disney style bear face on that octopus?!

kinda sad no movie depicts Smith and Andrews cooperating to the end on the evacuation as some witnesses claimed observing that as the last time either were seen. There is also a supposed claim that Smith was in the water, trying to climb the turned lifeboat, but accepting that it couldn't hold him. I don't think there is any less honor in Smith's memory by not depicting him as someone who didn't fight to the end

Eerie seeing the bridge underwater and creaking. New light on the 'Edmund Fitzgerald' speculates a similar thing happened except more extreme-she did a near 90 degree plunge hitting the bottom and breaking in half. Imagine being on the bridge and seeing that nightmare unfold.

Some very very brave people.

The 1997 film version of The Captain's Death only had a very brief part. There is a narrative in front of it, but it is unfortunate that it is not included.

the really haunting thing about the 1943 one is that they ship they filmed it on was the SS Cap Arcona. which was accidentally sunk by RAF bombers who mistook it for a troopship when it was loaded with concentration camp prisoners in 1945 only hours after the suicide of hitler the sinking resulted in over 5000 casualties. many suspect that the germans were intentionally trying to get the ships sunk as one last desperate act of spiteful hatred. so to see one of the greatest moments of maritime gallantry portrayed at the sight of one of the most horrifying moments in maritime history is genuinely unsettling

I just LOVE how history happened! Remember how the octopus saved the Titanic and no one died? No? Dunno what Titanic you're on about...

Bro tried to sneak the octopus movie in 😭💀

I mean come on, why were so many of these depictions so negative. Only one of them even dared to mention the giant octopus and the role he fulfilled in saving "The Captain".

Captain Smith best moments

HOw dare you put the north korean animated version of Mondo Picture XD just after James Cameron, this is perfect ;)

R.I.P Captain Edward Smith R.I.P Bernard Hill 1944 - 2024 💐😢🙏🏻

Titanic Multiverse has a giant octopus and an orca saving the captain

Was the talking octopus time traveling back to the sinking to stop it from hitting the iceberg but there was some twilight zone predestination paradox where the talking octopus inadvertently ended up causing the sinking?

4:48 so damned eerie

1997 is so heartbreaking, i can't bear the pain.

the 97 captain was the only one who got screwed

Capt. Smith, saved by a giant octopus and a killer whale. W. T. FRAK? Wait. Is he the only person they saved?

Titanic II - Smiths revenge

5:12 Wooow Octopus savior Orca savior ... OK Excellent version. Good job 🐙🚢

I want a video like this, but for Murdoch.

0:58 - Not really the time or place to take up learning “Nearer, my God, to Thee” on the didgeridoo

I too think that Captain Smith and Thomas Andrews jumped off the port side bridge wing as it submerging, probably with their life jackets on, not that it would have helped much in water that cold.

I would have included Titanic Tropes: The Grand Staircase Is Destroyed (1929-1997), featuring 1929, 1943, 1958, 1979, 1997, and any other versions I have yet to be informed of

Interesting how the one from 1912 shows him swimming, which several accounts have corroborated, yet none of the others did that.

The Captain and the designer went down with the ship the owner took one of the very few available lifeboats

The 2012 version, they released episode 4 on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic.

The 'In Nacht und Eis' version isn't entirely inaccurate. Some survivor account mention seeing Captain Smith and some other officers trying to swim away from the bridge of the ship before drowning.

The arrogant ship's builders and architects: "God himself could not sink this ship". God: "Challenge already won!".

In night and Ice is actually the second surviving film, with the first one being published just 32 days after the sinking.

They all missed the part where he swims to the Illuminati submarine

I remember reading somewhere there was a survivor testimony that Captain smith stayed on the captains bridge at the end of the sinking, and once the ship sunk, he swam off to his death?

Always hated the '53 version. It was ridiculous. We're really to believe that everyone onboard stood there singing as the ship went down?

“The Legend of the Titanic” (1999) Cpt. Edward Smith: “I will never abandon my ship…”

Costa Concordia Captain could of learnt from Smith, not necessarily gone down but at least waited until all passengers were safely evacuated

But what about Titanic: The Legend Goes On?

1996 captain smith was the best portrayal

Sadly, we are only aware of one picture of that octopus.

Didn't know there was a '96 movie before the '97 one!

Well, everything was normal until I saw The Legend Of The Titanic. Wth was that??

This is so sad 😭😭😭😭😭

Smith didn't even die in the 1999 one-

Can everyone stop talking about the octopus That film was a sham

Nice octopus ❤

Captain allowed the ship to proceed at speed despite iceberg reports. Hubris kills.

one of the sound waves was the shape of the iceberg the titanic hit

Okay, I can’t say with certainty, but I’m positive that during the montage in the 1996 miniseries we actually see Smith die. Following the bit on the staircase, someone is pushed back by incoming water and I’m certain that is Smith as we can see what I believe is the captains hat on his head. Again, I can’t say for certain

He died a hero

R.I.P. Bernard Hill