Editorial Review:Amazon.com:Of all the many documentaries that have been made about the
Titanic disaster, this two-part, 192-minute film, produced in 1994 for the Arts & Entertainment network, remains the most thorough, authoritative, and fascinating chronicle of the
Titanic tragedy. Written, produced, and directed by Melissa Jo Peltier and elegantly narrated by actor David McCallum, the film utilizes thorough research, archival films and documents, and expert testimony to span the entire history of the legendary S.S.
Titanic. From blueprint design and construction in Ireland, to the ill-fated maiden voyage and the lasting legacy of
Titanic's fateful sinking, no detail has been neglected in the film's meticulous description of events. Part 1, 'The Death of a Dream,' builds dramatic momentum to the ship's collision with an iceberg in the freezing North Atlantic, including detailed accounts of the agonizing two-hour sinking and the rescue of survivors. Part 2, 'The Legend Lives On,' explores the investigation into
Titanic's sinking, the impact on later ship design and the dramatic rediscovery of
Titanic's ghostly remains on the ocean floor. Parts 1 and 2 include abundant interviews with such noted
Titanic authorities as Don Lynch and Ken Marschall (consultants on the blockbuster movie
Titanic), and several
Titanic survivors who have since passed away. The cumulative effect of this detailed film is a complete appreciation for the sheer irony, drama, and magnitude of the
Titanic disaster. The James Cameron film was certainly entertaining, but this superior documentary proves that truth can be every bit as absorbing as fictionalized history. It's an essential addition to any
Titanic buff's library.
--Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Not What I Expected
I was severely disappointed in the documentary of the Titanic. How could you possibly talk about the Titanic without even mentioning the Carpathia. That ship was probably the most important facet of the story. Without her there would have been more lives lost. For such a dramatic story this documentary had such an anticlimatic ending. Then I can't stand those interviews from the alleged survivors. First of all they were babies at the time so they would have no memory of this event. They probably were told stories from their mothers on what happened which would be second hand information. The writers of this documentary should have spent more time talking about the important role the Carpathia played in this event than wasting their footage on the interviews. The captain of the Carpathia was extraordinary. Some of the things he did to prepare for the survivors as well as making the ship move as fast as possible went down in history. Also another facet of the story was left out was the Californian that had made so many mistakes which cost the lives of 1500 people. Which brings up another point. The documentary never even mentioned about the lives lost, how many saved, what laws were change to prevent future maritime disasters. Instead they spent too much time on the interviews. If you want to view an accurate account of this disaster buy "A Night To Remember" because on the DVD is an illustrated version and they explain everything that happened without stupid interviews.
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Most detailed Titanic documentary
This in my opinion is the best Titanic documentary. It goes in to detail of the great ship from its beginning till end.
Long run time as well.
2 disks.
The only thing i can say i was disappointed was that there wasn't much footage or recognition to the 1986 exploration of Titanic for the first time by Robert Ballard. If you want to see the Titanic underwater get " Secrets of the Titanic" by National Geographic Channel. That is a detailed show about the finding of Titanic.
All in all Great DVD.
If your into learning about everything to know about Titanic then BUY IT.
Enjoy
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Very Interesting......
This video is great. It answers a lot of questions that weren't mentioned in the movie.
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The absolute best DVD history on the Titanic
This three-episode DVD is the best material available at present on the Titanic, it's legacy, and it's pop cultural phenomenon.
I have been a Titanica fanatic since I was 6 years old...42 years later, I've read and seen just about everything there is on the Titanic, and this is clearly the best DVD available at this time.
What makes this particularly well made (at least the first two episodes -- the third "Beyond TItanic" appears on several other DVD's as 'Filler" as well, but is worth at least one look) is the "voices of the Titanic" aspects -- actors recreate survivors words collected from a large cross sampling of written Titanic material, and real life survivors appear to tell their stories. Originally released in the early 90's almost all of them are now dead, making this even more poignant watching it today.
I remember watching this originally on A&E when it was first shown on two consecutive evenings back in 1994. It is wonderful to have this now released in a high quality DVD set. It is truly the definitive material at this time.
One caveat -- don't let your young ones watch this by themselves the first time through -- it is truly the stuff of nightmares, and the way it is presented makes it highly emotionally and intensely horrifying. Once you have watched this with them, stopped and discussed the personal stories, and helped them to understand what they are watching, they will be fascinated and watch it over and over. I know I would have craved to have this type of material to watch back when I was 12 or 13 and all-consumed by Titanica.
This is very Highly recommended.
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Complete, Interesting, Emotional - Wonderful !
This is by far the best Titanic documentary I've seen, and I have seen quite a few. To me, it is more entertaining than any of the Titanic movies, or any of the other documentaries; And, it can take you from a Titanic novice to an expert in 3-4 hours.
The expert accounts are plentiful - from survivors to historians and enthusiasts. The son of Stanley Lord even has a spot in there.
If you find Titanic interesting, you must have a copy of this set. It is the most complete account of the Titanic story that I have found. I loved it!