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From Amazon.co.uk
April 15th 1912 will be remembered as one of the darkest days in history, the day the Titantic sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. Of the 2, 206 passengers and crew only 703 survived that fateful journey and this is their story. Based on eyewitness accounts S.O.S Titanic is one of the most meticulously researched and vivid portrayals of the horrific events that took place. A lavishly produced, gripping and extremely tense recreation of a tragic night that shook the world.
Product Description
Made-for-TV drama documenting the doomed liner's maiden voyage in 1912. Viewed from the perspective of three groups of passengers in First, Second, and Third Class, and highlighting the role that class distinction played in events, the film charts the fortunes of millionaire John Jacob Astor (David Janssen), romantic schoolteachers Lawrence Beesley and Leigh Goodwin (David Warner and Susan St James), and a group of Irish immigrants bound for a new life in America.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Felek
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Whilst this is not as accurate as the 1997 blockbuster, this film provides a balanced insight into the lives of all three classes of passengers.
This film is highly underrated, and if you're willing to look beyond set/location inaccuracies, you'll find it very enjoyable.
The musical score for this film is amazing.
This is the 98 minute version and not the full broadcast version.
---After receiving the DVD ---- A couple of gripes:
The DVD version has edited parts out which help to set up characters (the stewardesses for instance). This is the 98 minute version instead of the 144 min version. This version is played out in chronological order, whereas the longer version starts with the Carpathia rescue, then retells the story. I much prefer the full version, of course, but unfortunately it wasn't to be for this release. I knew this before purchasing, but its still a shame.
Second gripe, nothing to do with the actual film at all, is the packaging/artwork. The cover art is frankly disgusting. A mashup of a b&w Titanic picture, a cruise ship and 3D graphics. Looks like someone was inspired by 'Titanic II'. What's with the waves and lighting? Hardly a 'mill pond with no moon' is it!
This film is highly underrated, and if you're willing to look beyond set/location inaccuracies, you'll find it very enjoyable.
The musical score for this film is amazing.
This is the 98 minute version and not the full broadcast version.
---After receiving the DVD ---- A couple of gripes:
The DVD version has edited parts out which help to set up characters (the stewardesses for instance). This is the 98 minute version instead of the 144 min version. This version is played out in chronological order, whereas the longer version starts with the Carpathia rescue, then retells the story. I much prefer the full version, of course, but unfortunately it wasn't to be for this release. I knew this before purchasing, but its still a shame.
Second gripe, nothing to do with the actual film at all, is the packaging/artwork. The cover art is frankly disgusting. A mashup of a b&w Titanic picture, a cruise ship and 3D graphics. Looks like someone was inspired by 'Titanic II'. What's with the waves and lighting? Hardly a 'mill pond with no moon' is it!
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By J. McDonald
Format:DVD
This was for it's time a very good representation of the sad events of April, 1912. That said, the DVD version has been drastically cut. The orginal mini-series ran to 220 hours and was run over several nights. In cutting the film, much of the dramatic tension has been lost. Technical detail is largely good with the sinking being portrayed quite well for a TV series with obvious budget limitations. Another downside is the obvious studio shots that fail to convey the sheer size of the Titanic as even now, she would be considered a large ship. A minor 'love' interest is provided between Susan St James and David Warner (based on a real person). Harry Andrews gives a fine performance as Captain Smith and Ian Holm does his usual angst ridden best as owner, J Bruce Ismay. All in all a very good effort with good attention to known history. An attempt at giving a new slant was in having the ship's band play a hymn other than, 'Nearer My God to Thee'. It seems that there is evidence to suggest that the old Anglican hymn, 'Autumn' was played instead. However, as it is known that the band played many tunes that night it is conceivable that both hymns were played at least once. For anyone interested in the Titanic, this film is worth seeing.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good effort, but EDITED, I'm told, from the original running length
5 April 2012
By R.L. Holly
Format:DVD
Since this listing on Amazon.UK is for a new, April 2012 release from a respectable home video studio, I am hoping it is the unabridged original version as aired over multiple nights on US TV back in the day. Maybe a reviewer will step forward and tell us, since Amazon's listing here provides no such vital information. I have a multi-region player and would buy this IF it is the full-length cut; otherwise, there's not much point in being disappointed again. I could buy an NTSC region 1 disc if I wanted a botched-up edited copy. And the VHS tape is available cheap and just as long.
While not as spectacular a production as James Cameron's massive moneymaker, it does feature quietly effective performances from a very good cast and generally holds to the truth of things as far as they can be known (or were thought true back in the 1980s). The effects aren't as breathtaking, but it's a very enjoyable take on the Titanic story -- for a long, long time, this was the most elaborate and well-done Titanic epic ever made, and it still merits a complete, intact release.
UPDATE: see the comments section. I'm told that this is in fact the same badly butchered print that has been long available as a Region 1 DVD. At least 40 minutes, perhaps more, is missing, and the movie suffers as a result. Just docked two stars from my review. Studio Canal should have done better by its customers.
While not as spectacular a production as James Cameron's massive moneymaker, it does feature quietly effective performances from a very good cast and generally holds to the truth of things as far as they can be known (or were thought true back in the 1980s). The effects aren't as breathtaking, but it's a very enjoyable take on the Titanic story -- for a long, long time, this was the most elaborate and well-done Titanic epic ever made, and it still merits a complete, intact release.
UPDATE: see the comments section. I'm told that this is in fact the same badly butchered print that has been long available as a Region 1 DVD. At least 40 minutes, perhaps more, is missing, and the movie suffers as a result. Just docked two stars from my review. Studio Canal should have done better by its customers.
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