A conscientious and straightforward recountal of the Titanic disaster, A Night to Remember strikes a deep note of sorrow in its multitude of stories. In 1912 perhaps the most widely publicised ship of modern times was launched, to great fanfare and acclaim. Arguably the finest ship ever to set sail (metaphorically speaking), its maiden voyage can be nothing but a celebration of Man's ingenuity over Nature's chaos. Across the land people make ready for their voyage, all segregated into First, Second and Steerage Class dependent upon their purchasing power. For Herbert Lightoller (Kenneth More), the 2nd officer, this post represents the crowning moment of his career so far. He may even feel prouder than J. Bruce Ismay (Frank Lawton), Managing Director of White Star Lines.
In dock Captain Edward Smith (Laurence Naismith) is pleased to note the final passenger tally of 2207 souls, all bound for New York. Already they have separated out into their own, familiar worlds. In first class the fittings are opulent, such that the Titanic lives up to its reputation as a floating palace; Sir (Patrick Waddington) and Lady Richard (Harriette Johns) are in their element. Nearby stands Thomas Andrews (Michael Goodliffe), the ship's designer and builder, basking in the glory. Already his mind is considering potential improvements.

Further back, and literally lower down, newlyweds share a vision of future joy. Together they will conquer the New World, carving a place in it for their family. It's a picture familiar to many in Second Class and most in Steerage. Throughout the ship the mood is exuberant, people's spirits elated. Accommodated in surroundings of unsurpassed luxury, for many people far better appointed than their own homes, the trip has a dream-like quality. Numerous iceberg reports flying through the ether, from ships like The Carpathia, mean nothing to them. Their trust lies with men like First Officer William Murdoch (Richard Leech), in command at the time of collision. Misplaced though this belief might be, it is one of the few constraints that allows the crew to retain order.
 

Excerpt from Damian Cannon's excellent film review located HERE

Incidental Reading (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

The A List: The National Society of Film Critics' 100 Essential Films by Jay Carr (Editor)	Movie Mutations: The Changing Face of World Cinephilia by Jonathan Rosenbaum, Adrian Martin	British Cinema, Past and Present: Past and Present by Justine Ashby, Andrew Higson	The British Cinema Book (BFI Film Classics (Paperback)) by Robert Murphy	A Night to Remember by Walter Lord	How to Read a Film: The World of Movies, Media, and Multimedia : Language, History, Theory by James Monaco	All Our Yesterdays: 90 Years of British Cinema (British Film Institute) by Charles Barr	Moving Places: A Life at the Movies by Jonathan Rosenbaum	The Art of Watching Films by Joe Boggs, Dennis W. Petrie

 

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