James Cameron's "Titanic" (1997) is renowned for its special effects, which were groundbreaking at the time of the film's release. The production team employed a blend of practical and digital effects to recreate the sinking of the Titanic in a manner that was both visually impressive and remarkably accurate. To achieve realism, Cameron and his team went to extraordinary lengths: 1. **Physical Models and Miniatures**: A detailed 45-foot miniature of the Titanic was used for many of the wide shots. This allowed for a high level of detail and control over the sinking scenes. The model was rigged with hydraulics to break apart exactly as the real ship was believed to have done. 2. **Set Design**: Full-scale sections of the ship were constructed on large gimbal systems that could tilt and submerge them into tanks of water, simulating the sinking. These sets were enormous, with the main one nicknamed "the poop deck" for the rear section of the ship. 3. **Digital Effects**: Digital effects were, at the time, revolutionary and were used to augment practical effects. For instance, to depict the ship breaking and sinking, Cameron's team used CGI to enhance the realism of the physical models. Computer-generated water and passengers were also added in post-production. 4. **Historical Research**: Cameron and his team conducted extensive historical research. He even dived to the wreck of the Titanic itself to capture its state on the ocean floor. This commitment to detail informed the production design, costumes, and the ship's final moments. 5. **Human Extras and Stunt Performers**: To depict the passengers during the chaotic sinking scenes, the film used a mix of stunt performers and computer-generated people. The extras were equipped with period-appropriate costumes and makeup, and their performances were choreographed to capture the pandemonium of the historical event. In terms of historical accuracy, while some parts of the film were dramatized for cinematic effect, the depiction of the Titanic's sinking was largely accurate. Cameron adhered closely to the known facts about the ship's final hours. The angle of the sinking, the way the ship broke apart, and many other details were depicted in line with survivor accounts and the forensic analysis of the wreck. However, it's important to note that since the film's release, additional research and expeditions have fine-tuned our understanding of how the Titanic sank. For example, experts initially believed that the ship broke into two major pieces, which the film depicts. But further studies suggest that the ship broke into more pieces than that. "Titanic" set a benchmark for the use of special effects to tell historical events and dramatic stories, and to this day, it stands as a testament to the power of a skillful blend of practical effects and emerging digital techniques common in the late 20th century.