When Does "Titanic" (1997) Take Place?
"Titanic" is a historical fiction film written by James Cameron that released December 18th, 1997. So when is "Titanic" set?
It takes place in the year:
We know this because 'the Unsinkable' Molly Brown (1867-1932) appears and she was born on July 18th, 1867 AD and died on October 26th, 1932 AD in the real world. So it must be between July of 1867 AD and October of 1932 AD.
1912 AD
We know this because 'the Unsinkable' Molly Brown (1867-1932) appears and she was born on July 18th, 1867 AD and died on October 26th, 1932 AD in the real world. So it must be between July of 1867 AD and October of 1932 AD.
More specifically, the main action begins on the day the ocean-liner ship the Royal Mail Ship Titanic first set sail and this happened on April 10th, 1912 AD in the real world. So it must be April 10th, 1912 AD at the beginning.
Later, the story depicts the famous and tragic last hours of the RMS Titanic, which occurred on April 15th, 1912 AD in the real world. So it must be April 15th, 1912 AD at the end.
Additionally, there is a frame narrative in which Rose DeWitt Bukater/Rose Dawson Calvert has flashbacks that present the main action of the story to the audience. This frame takes place on the research ship RV Akademik Mstislav Keldysh which first launched on December 28th, 1980 AD in the real world. So it must be after 1980 AD.
More specifically, Lewis Bodine says, "Rose DeWitt Bukater died on the Titanic when she was 17, right?" and treasure hunter Brock Lovett replies, "That's right." Bodine then says, "If she had lived, she'd be over 100 by now." and Lovett retorts, "101 next month." Rose herself then twice says, "It's been 84 years." So it's 1996 AD during these parts of the movie.
101 - 17 = 84
and
84 + 1912 = 1996.
