Raise the Titanic

Raise the Titanic

Year: 1980

Runtime: 115 mins

Language: English

Director: Jerry Jameson

AdventureHigh speed and special opsDisastrous voyages and heroic survivalExciting spy thrillers with tense intrigueDangerous technology and the apocalypse

After locating the wreck of the Titanic, a daring plan is set in motion to raise the iconic ship. The goal is to harvest a rare mineral that exists only within the vessel’s remains, making the Titanic the sole source for this valuable resource. The operation pushes the limits of technology and ambition.

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Timeline & Setting – Raise the Titanic (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Raise the Titanic (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Cold War era, 1980s

Set during the Cold War, the film centers on a present-day salvage mission in the 1980s. It weaves in a historical backstory from 1912—the sinking of the Titanic and the shipment of byzanium—through flashbacks and investigative dialogue. The juxtaposition of 1912 and 1980s geopolitics underscores a race between East and West for a powerful mineral.

Location

Northern Siberia, Washington, D.C., North Atlantic Ocean, New York, Southby, England

The story unfolds across icy northern Siberia where a mine hides the byzanium, through the political nerve center of Washington, D.C., and into the depths of the North Atlantic during the Titanic salvage. Key action shifts to a New York dry dock where the ship is raised, and to a graveyard in Southby, England where a crucial burial is staged. The film's settings span remote snowfields, international intrigue, and high-stakes underwater recovery that drives the Cold War plot.

❄️ Cold War 🗺️ Northern Siberia ⚓ Salvage 🌊 Titanic Wreck 🗽 Washington D.C.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:12

Main Characters – Raise the Titanic (1980)

Meet the key characters of Raise the Titanic (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dirk Pitt (Richard Jordan)

A fearless government operative and salvage expert who drives the mission after rescuing the spy and uncovering the byzanium plot. He combines quick thinking with physical daring, pushing through danger to avert a geopolitical crisis. His determination anchors the story as the catalyst for the Titanic salvage plan.

🛡️ Hero 🔎 Investigator

Admiral James Sandecker (Jason Robards)

Head of the U.S. Navy salvage program and a steady hand coordinating the operation under political scrutiny. He balances national security concerns with practical logistics, often choosing pragmatic, sometimes tense, solutions. His leadership keeps the mission on track amid public pressure.

🎖️ Leader 🧭 Strategist

John Bigalow (Alec Guinness)

A Titanic deckhand and the last person to see Brewster alive, whose testimony provides a crucial clue. He embodies a quiet, laconic wisdom and serves as a link between the ship's history and Pitt's present-day mission. His memory becomes the key to tracing the byzanium's fate.

🧭 Witness 🧩 Clue-giver

Captain Joe Burke (J.D. Cannon)

A capable captain involved in the operational side of the salvage effort. He offers steady leadership during critical phases of the Titanic raising. His role emphasizes discipline and teamwork under high-stakes conditions.

🧭 Leader 🛡️ Support

Captain Prevlov (Bo Brundin)

Soviet diplomat Captain Prevlov, who becomes entangled in the pursuit of byzanium and leaks information to the press. He represents the parallel East-West tension and the risks of public exposure in the arms race. His actions heighten the game's political stakes.

🌐 Rival 🗣️ Diplomat

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:12

Major Themes – Raise the Titanic (1980)

Explore the central themes of Raise the Titanic (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Espionage

Spying, counter-intelligence, and political maneuvering drive the plot as agencies underestimate each other and leak information. The CIA, government officials, and Soviet counterparts engage in strategic deception while pursuing the same mysterious mineral. The film uses espionage to explore how information can alter global power dynamics.

⚓ Salvage

The central mission is a perilous underwater salvage of the Titanic, combining technical prowess with risk as submersibles operate in a hostile sea. The operation tests leadership, teamwork, and endurance under pressure. It also raises questions about the consequences and costs of reviving a century-old wreck.

⚖️ Moral Dilemma

Characters confront whether exposing or preserving dangerous knowledge is worth destabilizing a fragile peace. The decision to bury the byzanium to keep the balance between West and Soviet influence weighs heavily on Pitt and Sandecker. The film frames morality within geopolitics, where expediency and safety can overrule scientific curiosity.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:12

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Raise the Titanic Summary

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Raise the Titanic (1980) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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