Review of A Night to Remember (1958) by David K — 27 Jan 2009

It wasn't so much the story I found disappointing, it was the complete lack of compassion from the filmmaker. As this atrocious thing was happening on screen, I couldn't help but feel complete detachment from the ill-fated passengers.

Their cries for help and screams seemed all too contrived and unrealistic. The unconditional heroism from certain "men" was somewhat ridiculous. It seemed more about the boat than it did the people that died from it.

However, "A Night to Remember" is a dramatization of one of the most infamous disasters in history. A statement on the futility of the class system and arrogance itself, the film does make strong statements here and there about society and humanity.

But like I said before, I didn't buy the characters. Maybe my view has been tainted by James Cameron's "Titanic," which is heavily influenced by this movie, or maybe it is the fact that this movie is missing some heart, but something rubbed me the wrong way with this film.

I felt unmoved and very detached from everything. Regardless, the sinking of the Titanic is something that should be remembered for a number of reasons and since the title of the film is "A Night to Remember," I must say it succeeds in explaining why.