Last night we re-screened the Criterion remastered DVD of A Night to Remember.
Once again, if you haven't seen this recently, I urge you to take a look at the
DVD, which also features info on the (still alive at that time) survivors who
visited the sets and ship mock-ups.
It is superior to Titanic in most respects. The scene where a husband lies to
his wife so she'll get into a lifeboat is heartwrenching. The bit with the band
playing on is exactly as we've seen in Titanic, only in this version it's timed
better and the effect is again, heartbreaking.
A Night to Remember;s accuracy may now be questioned, but as a sea-disaster
movie it is head and shoulders above the rest. There are no sensational moments
of Hollywood values because it's not a Hollywood picture. The material and the
reality of the event are treated with respect and dignity.
This is a perfect Holliday film. It can remind us in strong terms about the
value of life and how it sometimes falls second to honor. **** out of ****
See it again soon.

Capt RB