See the Titanic in true 3-D in Tunica | Arts & Culture

Information provided by Hollywood Casino Tunica

The RMS Titanic, the world largest ship, sank April 15, 1912, after colliding with an iceberg in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. The accident claimed the lives of over 1,500 passengers. April 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the famed Titanic.  The 1997 Titanic movie, which won 11 Academy Awards and starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, has been rereleased in 3-D in time for this centennial.

But, if you really want to see the Titanic in true 3-D, then get to Hollywood Casino Tunica, just south of Memphis, to view their extensive, major memorabilia collection of props from the 1997 James Cameron Titanic movie. The home of a spectacular array of authentic movie memorabilia, Hollywood Casino opened its exhibit of the enormous 6,000 pound, 28-foot long, 1:18 scale model of the ship’s stern from the movie (modified for display) on June 18, 1998.

The exhibit also features other authentic Titanic movie memorabilia acquired by Hollywood Casino for its Titanic tribute including: Lifeboat No. 1 (the first boat launched with only 12 people); the Titanic boarding tickets won by Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in the film’s poker game; Captain Smith’s jacket, as well as china and silver pieces featured in the elegant dining room sequences.

In addition to the permanent exhibit, Hollywood Casino also has recently constructed a mock ship prop in front of the Titanic display where guests can personally recreate one of the most famous scenes, the “I’m Flying” scene with Jack and Rose, from the movie.  Guests can then post their photos on Hollywood Casino’s facebook page for a chance to win weekly movie tickets, DVDs or the grand prize - a 50” plasma TV. For more details on how to enter the Make Your Titanic Scene contest, please visit www.facebook.com/HollywooodCasinoTunica.

Hollywood Casino acquired the 1:18 scale model of the Titanic, which sits in a one-half million galloon pool at Hollywood Casino, from Donald Pennington, Inc. following the production of the original James Cameron model.  The filmmakers first approached Pennington in early 1997, asking him to design and construct four different models for the production’s sinking sequences. The largest was the 1:8 scale replica of the stern of the ship, this forward section of the model was torn apart and destroyed during filming in order to create the effect of the ship sinking.  This is the model (with modifications) that found permanent residence at Hollywood Casino Tunica.

The other models Pennington constructed included a 1:6 scale model of the bow of the ship as well as a 1:4 scale funnel for the breaking sequence and a 1:4 scale poop deck (stern) used for combining with live-action footage for the vertical sinking sequence.  After the rigors of filmmaking, the 1:8 stern model was in need of some renovation to bring it back to “sea-worthy” condition for its ultimate display in Tunica, Mississippi, not to mention its 2,000 mile journey from Hollywood, California across land – the only eastbound journey that the Titanic ever made.

Once renovated, the hull portion was then sliced horizontally into two sections to facilitate the enormous model being moved to Hollywood Casino Tunica.  The week-long journey across land was conducted at night, in accordance with local road laws, and moved full steam ahead from Los Angeles. It sailed across Highway I-10 – with a careful eye out for any stray icebergs in Arizona or New Mexico and ported in Tunica, Mississippi.

Today, everyone can marvel at the firsthand, true 3-D spectacular model of the Titanic as it is poised at an angle, eerily reminiscent of the final moments before disappearing into the deep.