Released in 1997, Titanic was a drama of epic proportions, placing a love story against the backdrop of one of the saddest and most destructive maritime disasters in history.

Directed by James Cameron, with a budget of $200-million (£125-million), the third highest of all films ever made, he was able to create a realistic depiction of what it would have been liked to been on the infamous ship. From the divisions in social class, which stars of the movie and love interests Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (LeonardoDiCaprio) overcome to find one another, to dining-room string quartets, elegant meals, dances and much more.

The film focuses its attention on the aforementioned romance at sea between the couple, whose short-lived relationship would be harshly cut short by the eventual disaster that would affect the pair as well as all other passengers on board. Families, couples and marriages both young and old, entrepreneurs seeking to find work in America and start a new life would sadly all be affected.

Pulling at the heartstrings of film goers worldwide it received widespread acclaim from critics for its emotive storytelling. This would lead to 14 Oscar Nominations at the 1998 awards which equalled the feat achieved by the 1950 film All About Eve (US 1950). It would win eight in total – including Best Picture and Best Cinematography – which still, today, remains a world records of which they share with Ben-Hur (USA 1959) and Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (NZ/USA 2003).

Titanic also holds many other world records including: the longest cinematic release with the film staying in the charts from 19 December 1997 - 25 September 1998 in the US market, a total duration of 281 days; most consecutive weekends for a movie to be No.1 – 15 in total; first movie to gross $1 billion; highest grossing historical epic of all time and Highest box office film gross for a drama which has grossed $1,834,165,466 (£1.297 billion) since its release.

Other rather obscure and perhaps lesser known world records also include the largest budget for film stunts in which more than $3 million (£1.87 million) of the $200-million (£125-million) went towards the movie's stunt sand the largest camera crane used on film on a film set which required an Akela Crane with a normal reach of 24.38 m (80 ft) which was adapted to have an expanded reach of almost 60.96 m (200 ft) to cover all angles of the 236.22 m (775 ft) set of Titanic.

At the time of its release in 1997 it was also the most expensive film produced costing $200 million (£118,934,350) to be made but had its record first broken by King Kong (2005) with a budget of $207 million (then £118 million) and the record now belongs to Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) which reportedly cost $300 million (£146 million) to produce.

The story of the Titanic will no doubt continue to fascinate film-makers and writers for generations to come. James Cameron released a 3D adaptation of the film in 2012 to mark the 15 year anniversary of its release which also proved popular and provide its adoring followers with a final swansong.

As Celine Dion belted out in the films iconic soundtrack ‘my heart will go on’ well, perhaps, she could quite have easily sung the ‘film will go on’ - not referring to the post three hour length of course but it’s lasting mark on the film and cinema industry. It perhaps too had an influence big budget productions with more and more films now throwing millions of pounds and dollars on special effects and stunts to provide an added wow factor. It will always, though, be remembered as a cinema great and films continue to look at it for guidance and ideas.