Director James Cameron’s fascination with the R.M.S Titanic—its, voyage, sinking, wreckage and history—has been well documented. In 2003, the documentary Ghosts of the Abyss, Cameron’s underwater look at the wreckage of the legendary ship was originally shown in 3-D on gigantic IMAX theater screens across the country. Although seeing it in 2-D on a television screen (in stunning 1080p grant you), is a bit disappointing in comparison, it still offers a interesting visual experience.

Ghosts of the AbyssJoined by a team of the world’s foremost historic and marine experts and actor Bill Paxton (who serves as the film’s narrator), Cameron shot over 900 hundred hours of the wreckage. Thanks to the advanced Remote Operated Vehicles (computer operated mini-cameras nicknamed “Jake” and “Elwood”); Cameron was able to explore the wreckage from a closer vantage point than ever before. In a nice twist, the underwater footage is amplified with recreations and superimposed photos of what the passengers and crew might have been doing in different parts of the ship.

Ghosts of the Abyss claims to be unscripted. At times, this is totally believable, such as when Bill Paxton expresses concern about being two miles below the surface in a mini-submarine. However, his voiceover feels overwritten. He used the word “ethereal” in describing something more times than I care to remember. It’s as if in trying to sound unscripted, they won’t overboard, forgetting to let things flow in an effort to form a connection with the audience.

All of that aside, some of the shots are truly amazing. You can really see the main dining room, leaded glass windows, the grand promenade, state rooms, dinnerware, bathtubs, tables, etc., just as they were when the ship sank on that fateful April night in 1912. If you’re a history buff, Ghosts of the Abyss is definitely worth a look. James Cameron has definitely provided us with a historical document.

Shown in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, the 1080p Blu-ray presentation is very impressive. It shows off a deep blue palette with impressive textures, though there is some noticeable motion blur. The image shows nice depth throughout and offers no digital anomalies.

The film’s 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track provides a nice atmosphere for the underwater experience. The score is well balanced and the clean clear. All and all, the track isn’t overly aggressive but that seems appropriate for the material.

English, French and Spanish subtitles are available.

The following special features are included:

  • 92 Minute Extended Cut of the Film (HD) A little over thirty minutes longer than the theatrical cut, this does add more footage but I felt it made the whole thing feel dragged out. I much preferred the 60 minute version.
  • Reflections from the Deep (29:30, SD) A six part making of featurette, taking us from the start of the excursion, the crews reaction to 9/11 (this was filmed in 2001), to the end.
  • The Cheese Sandwich Prank (2:30, HD) James Cameron is served cheese sandwiches with extra butter before diving, much to his chagrin.
  • 3D Blu-ray: Contains just the sixty minute version of the film.
  • DVD: Contains both versions of the film.