Since James Cameron made his epic, nobody has remembered the three or four other Titanic movies of the 20th century. They have have almost 'sank' into oblivion. I thought it would be interesting to see another version of how the unsinkable sank Some may find this film hard to approach having seen Cameron's. In order to judge it effectively, you will have to (As the Chinese say) empty your cup of standards which you may have judged Cameron's film with. While this movie is still no match for his, it is nonetheless pretty interesting, and not bad at all.
Although there are plenty of historical inaccuracies, There is a better sense of history to this version of Titanic. The story is presented much more objectively. If Cameron's film could be called a roller coaster of an epic, this one is more of a merry-go-round. It is much stiffer/slower but it feels more mundane and less extraordinary. The things people say here, are probably indistinguishable from Edwardian era talk.
There are two reasons why this Titanic is inferior to Cameron's. First of all, it's not very involving. Like I said, it is stiff, humorless, occasionally charming, but there is a feeling of distance between us and the characters. Secondly, there is no sense of peril. The way the second half plays out is far too torpid, to generate suspense. Cameron was able to show the array of suffering (both physical and emotion) which grew stronger as the water level rose higher and higher, and the boats became fewer by the minute.
One thing that this Titanic addresses (something that Cameron barely touched on) is the nature of Captain Smith. He has a bigger role here. Cameron presented him as a kind of weakling, too scared to do anything once tragedy struck. This Captain Smith is a bit more heroic, fighting to save as many lives as he can. Knowing that he is one of the reasons why the ship sank, it's hard to know whether to be symathetic to him here or not.
It would be foolhardy to even think of downgrading this movie on account of special effects. Only an idiot would do that. Unfortunately, every movie that Cameron does seem to break special effects barriers making peoples expectations higher with each passing year. As a result of Avatar, the ratio of 2D screenings to 3D screenings of other movies, is getting more one sided.
Anyone who loved Titanic (or even just liked it) should try this film if you can find it. It is a long way from greatness, but it truly does make you think not just about the disaster but about cinema, and how far it has progressed in the years leading up to 1997.
Although there are plenty of historical inaccuracies, There is a better sense of history to this version of Titanic. The story is presented much more objectively. If Cameron's film could be called a roller coaster of an epic, this one is more of a merry-go-round. It is much stiffer/slower but it feels more mundane and less extraordinary. The things people say here, are probably indistinguishable from Edwardian era talk.
There are two reasons why this Titanic is inferior to Cameron's. First of all, it's not very involving. Like I said, it is stiff, humorless, occasionally charming, but there is a feeling of distance between us and the characters. Secondly, there is no sense of peril. The way the second half plays out is far too torpid, to generate suspense. Cameron was able to show the array of suffering (both physical and emotion) which grew stronger as the water level rose higher and higher, and the boats became fewer by the minute.
One thing that this Titanic addresses (something that Cameron barely touched on) is the nature of Captain Smith. He has a bigger role here. Cameron presented him as a kind of weakling, too scared to do anything once tragedy struck. This Captain Smith is a bit more heroic, fighting to save as many lives as he can. Knowing that he is one of the reasons why the ship sank, it's hard to know whether to be symathetic to him here or not.
It would be foolhardy to even think of downgrading this movie on account of special effects. Only an idiot would do that. Unfortunately, every movie that Cameron does seem to break special effects barriers making peoples expectations higher with each passing year. As a result of Avatar, the ratio of 2D screenings to 3D screenings of other movies, is getting more one sided.
Anyone who loved Titanic (or even just liked it) should try this film if you can find it. It is a long way from greatness, but it truly does make you think not just about the disaster but about cinema, and how far it has progressed in the years leading up to 1997.