London, United Kingdom — There is a new owner for the mysterious piece of wood that was essential to the Titanic legend. With an astounding $718,750 (£569,739) auction result, this artefact has captivated admirers all around the world ever since the 1997 movie's premiere.
The Controversial Panel
The main query that has troubled Titanic fans is whether this wooden panel could have held Jack and Rose. Was it big enough to keep them both safe from the cruelly cold waves?
Leonardo DiCaprio's character Jack fervently contends in the hit film that the panel, which is a piece of a door frame, was intended especially for his sweetheart Rose (Kate Winslet). Jack tragically dies in the frigid Atlantic, his body plunging into the sea.
Mythbusters and the Debate
In a 2012 Mythbusters episode, filmmaker James Cameron addressed the contentious discussion. Emails pounded his email, calling Jack a "idiot" and Rose "selfish." Jack's destiny was predetermined, Cameron said, "Maybe we screwed up, and the board should have been a tiny bit smaller, but the dude's going down."
The Authentic Artifact
A 2012 Mythbusters episode featured filmmaker James Cameron debating the controversial topic. Emails bombarded him, referring to Rose as "selfish" and Jack as "idiot"." Cameron declared that Jack was doomed, adding, "Maybe we screwed up, and the board should have been a tiny bit smaller, but the dude's going down."
Dimensions and Legacy
The prop is explained in the description to be around 8 feet long (2.4 meters) and 41 inches wide (1 meter). Its relevance to history is as much a part of its cinematic representation.
Apart from the famous wood panel, the auction included other amazing accessories. While Spiderman's costume worn by Toby Maguire brought $125,000, the whip from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom brought $525,000. The same sum was notably demanded for an axe that Jack Nicholson used in The Shining, along with the famous remark "Here's Johnny!"
The mystery and tragedy of the Titanic—a tale ingrained in our collective memory—remains as this artifact passes hands.