“I always felt like he wasn’t doing enough”: James Cameron Was Humbled by Bernard Hill in Titanic After Director Felt Late Actor Didn’t Give His Best

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James Cameron has seldom been more vocal about his appreciation for an artist than when he was completely bowled over by Bernard Hill’s role inTitanic. For a director as esteemed as Cameron, there must be very few things that can still hold that effect on him, however,Titanicstill manages to churn out such rare and treasured moments at a steady pace.

Despite playing only a minor role in the film, the subtlety of Bernard Hill’s powerhouse performance in the iconic Leonardo DiCaprio film held the capacity to move the director of the $2.26 billion romantic tragedy. As such, it was only right that Cameron expressed his gratitude and privilege after witnessing the understated actor’s process at work.

James Cameron Showers Bernard Hill With Timely Praise

With an undeniable screen presence and a commanding authority over his lines,Bernard Hilltruly oozed sophistication and old Hollywood charm in his short-lived yet impactful role inTitanic. However, the late actor, although talented, held something back from Cameron and the director was quick to catch up on it.

In a clip from theTitaniccommentary, Cameron revealed:

“Bernard Hill makes a great Captain Smith. He was an interesting character to work with because I always felt like he wasn’t doing enough. And then I’d watch the film (or the dailies) and I’d realize it was all there – it was in his eyes somehow. I’d keep asking for more takes, and I’d be trying to push him for a littler bigger reaction and later I’d realize he’d made the right decision.”

“There is more to life than watching Titanic”: Bernard Hill Could Not Wrap His Head Around Fans Watching Titanic For 40 Times After Thinking It Wouldn’t be a Big Hit

Although the matter may be startling to the fans ofTitanic, the strange encounter between Bernard Hill and the director must rank high onJames Cameron’s list of top favorite moments on set. Hill proved his power to reduce his audience to a state of paralysis by bewitching them with his range and mastery over the screen whileTitanicdoes the same with its tragic plot and character arc. James Cameron’s fascination with both, the film and the actor, seems well-founded at its core.

Bernard Hill’s Legacy Lives On Through His Iconic Roles

Known for his parts in some of the most iconic franchises in Hollywood, Bernard Hill entered the film and entertainment business even from his early days as a British actor inclined more toward playing the formulaic and tested roles in period pieces and eccentric films. FromGreat Expectations,TheMill on the Floss,A Midsummer Night’s Dream, andWolf HalltoTom Cruise’sValkyrie(2008), there’s no pie that Bernard Hill hasn’t dipped his fingers into.

“It’s not like the real thing”: Bernard Hill Unleashed the Fury of Rohirrim on Amazon’s Rings of Power as Series Looked Like a Cheap Lord of the Rings Knock-Off

With roles spread across films and television shows likeTitanic,Lord of the Rings,Game of Thrones, and evenTrue Crimedirected byClint Eastwood, the reservoir of talent that was Bernard Hill continues to impress and outperform every other industry in the business. As the actor tragically breathes his last on 5th May 2024 at the age of 79, his legacy will continue to live on as long as the cinema exists.

Titanicis available for streaming on Disney+

Diya Majumdar

Senior Writer

Articles Published :2410

Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.

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Bernard HillJames CameronTitanic