A Night to Remember (DVD, 1998, Criterion Collection)

39 years before James Cameron's epic, "Titanic," the Rank Organisation and producer William MacQuitty brought to the screen this brilliant adaptation of Walter Lord's famous 1955 bestseller, "A Night to Remember." Based on 20 years of research and interviews with more than 50 survivors, this classic film has a timeless, "you are there," quality. Although some aspects of the sinking are based on assumptions made before the 1985 discovery of the wreck, these will not deter you from your enjoyment of this movie. The cast is outstanding, the costumes and sets are historically accurate and the entire production is first rate. Criterion, as usual, has done a superb digital transfer, picture and sound quality are pristine. Bonus features include a 60 minute documentary about the making of the film and available commentary from Titanic historians Don Lynch and Ken Marschall. A must see for any Titanic enthusiast and a great companion piece to James Cameron's "Titanic."

Being in my early 50s , l sadly admit l had never seen this Version of Titanic until recently ..l now Realize that this 1958 film is more Realistic then any other because of Interviews and Research of the Survivors ..l found myself Engrossed in this Film.. Well acted....you can really feel the Classy Respectful yet at times somewhat Snobish style that the British and American Muckety Mucks Conveyed at that time .... The Special effects are not the Greatest , but for 1958 standerds , There not to shabby ..... unlike the 1997 Version which the main story is Fiction, The Focus in this film is quite different , you can see how frustrated the Crew is that there is another Ship (the Californian)not more then 20 min. away with no Response, THE 1997 film dosen't even mention the Californian at all !! , Also, you realize how Dedicated (and misguided) at times the Titanic Crew was until the Very End .... l truly enjoyed this Film and will watch it many times again ...As a Bonus you also get Interviews and Actual Footage of the Making of this Movie Totaling over an Hour !...

Perhaps the best movie ever written about the Titanic Disaster. This docu-drama gets almost all the details and sequence of events accurate and correct. Most of the events are seen through the eyes of second officer Lightoller. In order to reduce the number of characters they have him say and do some things that were actually performed by other Officers of the Titanic but the feel of the Movie always treats the subject matter with the respect it deserves. You will never watch a scene in this move and wince at the absurdity or be outright dumbfounded by a characters action. That said it is only in B&W and doesn't have a lot in the realm of special effects still an excellent use of 123 minutes.

The movie was awsome!!!!!!!!!!!Walter Lord's book was written from people who were on the Titanic, so eyewitness accounts from people who were on her as well as the Carpathia that steamed full blast to come help rescue people, the movie followed the book to a tee. If you want to know the true accounts of that bitter night April 15, 1912, then you'll want to own this movie. 2 thumbs up, can watch it over & over again. A must see!

This movie is so close to what actually happened on the Titanic. I felt as though these people were actually the ones aboard the Titanic. It was nice to see regular people and not super stars playing the parts. Black and white movies always capture my heart. Highly recommend.