10 Villains Who Were Completely Screwed By Movie Adaptations

4. William McMaster Murdoch -€“ Titanic

Probably the most famously wronged historical figure in the history of cinema, Murdoch was the officer aboard James Cameron's Titanic who lost his head when the iceberg hits and loses all of his moral integrity, before taking the coward's way out.

As the Titanic's doomed passengers attempt to flee the stricken vessel, Murdoch takes it upon himself to shoot one innocent Irish lower class passenger when he thinks he's attempting to force his way onto a lifeboat.

This is not before the officer attempts a bribe from Billy Zane's pantomime spurned lover to ensure his own safe passage on a lifeboat. The cad.

Finally remorseful after killing the immigrant, Murdoch shoots himself, and the audience cheer wildly that justice has clearly prevailed.

The Truth

This one's actually a subject for debate. There was a formidable response to Titanic's representation of Murdoch, especially by his family, and it is generally held, especially in his home town of Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Gallowayin Scotland, that the representation was entirely false, and that Murdoch's heroism deserved celebration.

One officer was recorded as having fired several shots in the air, but this could have been either Murdoch or fellow officer Lightoller (or even a third unknown party.) Reports are naturally sketchy, as are those which suggest an officer may have committed suicide as the ship sank.

Other witness reports suggest that Murdoch died in the water, having been swept overboard by a wave while attempting to launch a lifeboat, and that he would never have shot anyone (according to wireless operator Harold Bride) and survivor statistics suggest that Murdoch was partly responsible for saving 75% of the survivors as he launched 10 lifeboats from the starboard side.

Despite claims that there could be some truth in Murdoch's representation, and that Dalbeattie's celebration of their hero is a little unbalanced, their claims were clearly enough for James Cameron who donated to a charitable prize given in Murdoch's honour.