A good film in spite of itself

Rating: 10/10 (3 June 2002)

John H. Freeman
The only reason I am writing a commentary on this film is to provide a note at the top of the heap that this film is, with all due respect to its box office record and glorious showing at the Oscars, a rip-off of one of the earliest, and indeed one of the finest of all disaster films. I am not referring to the 1953 film of the same title but to "A Night to Remember". Camron's "Titanic" is and most likely will remain a film steeped in critical controversy. It certainly will survive in spite of itself. This is primarily due to having some particularly good characteristics of successful film-making. The right formula for the right audience, delivered at the right time. However, if you truly want to see a stunning film on the Titanic tragedy, and are not hung up about the special effects needed to make a successful movie as are many movie goers these days, see "A Night to Remember". It is in every aspect a superior film. Totally unpretentious and never over the top. If you have seen "Titanic", you will gasp at every ripped off scene and wonder how the producers of "Titanic" ever got away with not giving credit where credit is due.