Film

A Night to Remember (1958)

Director: Roy Baker

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

It's going to be years before this can be watched in a spontaneous way, without measuring pro and con against Titanic (1997). This earlier account of the sinking differs first in methodology: declining to superimpose any trivial business about unsuitable marriages or missing jewels, it proceeds via a series of vignettes to relate the facts as researched in Walter Lord's best-seller - although still retaining a few unshakeable myths (the cowardly transvestite, the playing of 'Nearer My God to Thee'). Some artfully carpentered plywood in the Pinewood tank (with extras bussed to the local lido for jumping-in-the-water shots) can hardly compare with the prodigiousness of Cameron's reconstruction, although the mere sight of the actors' breath, an effect available free of charge to Baker, is arguably more eloquent than all the digital composition in the world. Certainly, this is the version for grown ups. The characterisation of the ship's officers, for example, as representatives of an indefensible system, yet individually honourable and brave, proved too tough a concept for Cameron, strictly a heroes and villains man. And much is made here (and nothing there) of the role of the Californian, the Mr Magoo of maritime history, which lay a few miles off the wreck, her crew perfectly unable to grasp what was happening in front of them. Kenneth More may not measure up to Leonardo DiCaprio in terms of erotic impact, but his personification of brisk, cheerful efficiency is just the job.

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