Runtime: 123 minutes
Directed by: Roy Ward Baker
Starring: Kenneth More, David McCallum, Jill Dixon, Laurence Naismith, Honor Blackman
From: The Rank Organisation
It'd be accurate to say that I read the book the movie was based on; it'd also be accurate to say that it was when I was in elementary school, meaning “at least 30 years ago” so I barely remember any of its contents. Rather, I only recall digging it at the time. On the 110th anniversary of the Titanic sinking, there was no more apt motion picture to view.
In the past I have seen Titanic, the James Cameron verson-albeit years after the fact. That was enjoyable despite the cliché romance and the stereotypical villain role from Billy Zane. While nicely acted, overall I do prefer this British presentation of those tragic events. Various characters are followed from even before the ship launches through it sinking and all those lives lost. The various events also portrayed in Cameron's film are presented here, from the third class passengers being treated unfairly, the chaos surrounding the lack of lifeboats, the band playing through the very end, etc.
It was a lavish production w/ nice practical effects for the time, fine acting from various performers that I did or did not recognize (David McCallum & Honor Blackman made up the former) and a focus on the hardships the various characters experience-whether crew or passengers—viewing tragedies is never easy but A Night to Remember succeeds as entertainment. Via a straightforward style, there is a gamut of emotions shown that make this a compelling journey even if overall a sad one.
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