Night To Remember, A / The Making Of A Night To Remember (DVD 1998)

The Titanic sank on a mill pond calm sea, in the early hours of April 15th 1912. She was the largest, most luxurious ship man had ever built, her passenger list a who's who of the day, she carried the latest technology and she was only four days into her maiden voyage. Such was the impact of the tragedy of that night, that her name is still remembered almost ninety five years later, and a host of books and films have been made about her.
A Night To Remember is possibly the best film ever made on the Titanic. It was based on the 1955 book by Walter Lord, in which over sixty survivors and those involved in the Rescue were interviewed. The special advisor to the filming was Fourth Officer to the Titanic, and if you get to also see 'The Making Of A Night To Remember' documentary, you will find that it is packed with little incidents that actually did happen in real life. Being black & white and of a different era, it does not have the effects of the modern James Cameron spectacular, but it does by many accounts, have far more truth to the actual tragic events.
The film centers on Second Officer Lightoller, played by Kenneth More, and follows his view and actions through the disaster. It also features the main characters, the Captain, Owner, other crew and passengers, and their actions, and offers an explanation of the mystery ship, who's light's were visible in the distance during Titanic's final hours.
The main strength of the film for me, is that rather than a Hollywood special, seeking big special effects and over the top plot, A Night To Remember looks to encapsulate what it would have been like. The ship is mortally wounded, but at first no one can forsee the tragedy that is to come. Third class passengers play football with the ice on the decks, while first class passengers bid stewards add it to their drinks. Gentlemen play cards while the ladies refuse to wear the cumbersome life jackets, and get into the little boats. As the ship starts to list more and more, and the danger starts to become apparent, the story builds to it's enevitable conclusion. We all know whats going to happen, but become swept along with characters we've come to know, and how they live or die is very real.
If you have seen the modern films, or perhaps have heard of Titanic, but never really understood what has held it in so many peoples hearts. I recommend strongly this film, to me it succeeds where later attempts have failed ...