From: TheFrankMan (thefrankman@mindspring.com)
Subject: Titanic Bibliography
Date: 2000/10/15
====================================================================
TITANIC BOOK, MAGAZINE, VIDEO & COMPUTER SOFTWARE LIST
Compiled by TheFrankMan@MindSpring.com October 15, 2000
BOOKS
Discovery of the Titanic - Dr. Robert Ballard (C) 1987, updated 1998
ISBN 0-446-67174-6 (paperback) ISBN 0-446-51385-7 (hardback)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446513857/o/qid=971540260/sr=2-1/104
-3440020-0488740
This large-format book beautifully chronicles the massive technical
challenges & accomplishments that led to locating & photographing Titanic -
right from the seahorse's mouth: Dr. Robert Ballard, who discovered Titanic
in Sept., 1985. Beautifully illustrated, shows the great ship's original
splendor in its historical setting, as well as elaborately detailing its
current appearance and its surrounding debris field. A real must for any
student. (Note: In most cases, paperback & hardback versions of books are
virtually identical; not so here. If at all possible, get the hardback
edition: it's much bigger & better, and contains more text/visual material.)
A Night To Remember - Walter Lord
ISBN 0-553-27827-4 (paperback) (hardback also available) (C) 1955
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553278274/qid=971540487/sr=1-3/104-3
440020-0488740
This is the classic book that rekindled interest in Titanic in the
1950's. Note that it's very different in flavor from the famous movie made
from it. The movie is a drama, expressed via the dialogue of its
characters; the book is from the viewpoint of a journalist/historian, taking
the reader along to witness events as they unfolded all around the ship.
Most striking is the book's sense of realistic presence, i.e., that you're
reading the words of someone who was on the ship that night, and who is able
to take you back in time to share that knowledge. Very well written &
authoritative, and considered the primary classic on the subject.
The Night Lives On - Walter Lord
ISBN 0-380-73203-3 (paperback) (hardback also available) (C) 1986/1987
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0694521078/qid=971540593/sr=1-1/104-3
440020-0488740
A three-decade-later sequel to the above work, updating the story based on
more recent data. But its by no means a mere rewrite; even though it covers
the same ground, it feels totally fresh. Same excellent writing style &
quality. Both of Lord's books are must-reading for Titanic students, both
for their quality and because his work is rightfully credited with
resurrecting the tragic story in the 2nd half of the 20th Century.
James Cameron's Titanic - Foreword by James Cameron, text by Ed Marsh
ISBN 0-00-649060-3 (paperback) ISBN 0-06-757516-1 (hardback)(C) 1997
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0067575161/qid=971541511/sr=1-2/104-3
440020-0488740
This is for the lover of Hollywood films in general and/or Titanic in
particular. Tons of large behind-the-scenes photos showing how the film was
made (like how a big hollow near-full-size mockup of Titanic was built on a
beach in Baja California, Cameron's actual visit to the Atlantic wreck-site,
etc.) Lots of insightful comments from the cast about the characters they
played, the world of 1912, etc.
Titanic - James Cameron's Illustrated Screenplay
Annotated by Randall Frakes ISBN 0-06-095307-1 (paperback) (C) 1997
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060953071/qid=971541593/sr=1-1/104-3
440020-0488740
This is the soul-mate of the Cameron book described above. This book is
for you if you're waiting to see the full unedited "director's cut" - or if
you just want to read what Cameron had in mind, including details of scenes
deleted in the final edit. Lots of comments & tidbits about many scenes,
why some were re-written or discarded, what the cast felt about various
scenes, etc. Plus there's over 300 color photos that accompany the text,
paired with the dialogues of virtually the entire movie script. A real must
for any serious fan of the film's story.
James Cameron's Titanic Poster Book
James Cameron and Joseph Montbello (Editor) ISBN: 0060953063 (C) 1998
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060953063/titaniconline/104-3440020-
0488740
This is solely for the major film-fan: just 12 pages, all movie-posters
from Cameron's Titanic. 10" x 13"
The Wall Chart of the Titanic - Tom McCluskie
ISBN 0-76071-241-7 (hardback) (C) 1998
http://shop.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=3M5TWGKH1D&
mscssid=&sourceid=&srefer=&isbn=0760712417&pcount=0&salesurl=R%2Fbooksearch%
2Fresults%2Easp
This book's one enormous page is folded into 15 sections, printed on both
sides, which folds out into a tall wall-chart about fifteen feet (yes, feet)
long, giving massively wide views of Titanic's designs, floor plans,
equipment layouts & overall blueprints. A variety of photos illustrate
areas highlighted on engineering & structural drawings. Also lists names of
all passengers & crew who were lost, and those who survived, including which
lifeboat they were in. If you like this sort of "nuts & bolts" book, then
check the above Web-page and other Web-links for Tom McCluskie's other
ship-related books. He does the archiving of engineering records for
Harland & Wolff in Belfast, who built Titanic; you just can't get much
closer to the horse's mouth than that.
EXTRA - Titanic (The Story of the Disaster in Newspapers of the Day)
From the collections of Eric Caren and Steve Goldman
ISBN 0-7858-1030-7 (hardback) (C) 1998
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785810307/april151912com/104-3440020
-0488740
This book is a massive treasury of information for both the casual reader
and the professional historian alike. It's a chronological gathering of
actual day-by-day front-pages & special articles from a variety of US
newspapers in the weeks after the sinking. Rumors abound in the early days,
hope soon fades into mourning, despair becomes anger and before long evolves
into outrage. It's fascinating to watch all of that unfold via the
eloquence, piety and bombast that was typical of big-city newspapers of that
era.
In addition to countless details & perspectives of the tragedy, it's also
a very revealing look at US culture of 1912, including lots of unrelated
news-stories on politics, crimes, sports & social events, plus many quaint
little everyday ads for various products. Many of the news stories are from
the Denver Post (Molly Brown's exact stompin' grounds; her Denver house
remains a popular tourist attraction), granting glimpses into early 1900's
Colorado.
The Titanic Disaster -
As Reported in the British National Press April-July 1912
Dave Bryceson ISBN 0393041085 (C) 1997
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0393041085/andrysbasten/104-3440020-0
488740
The same premise as the previous book, but drawing instead only on copies
of actual headlines, articles, and clippings from British newspapers.
Unsinkable - The Full Story of RMS Titanic - Daniel Allen Butler
ISBN 0-8117-1814-X (hardback) (C) 1998
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/081171814X/qid%3D971541812/104-344002
0-0488740
This is a book for readers who truly enjoy the nearly lost art of actually
reading, of letting words paint a colorful & insightful mental cinema of
historic people, places & happenings. Unlike books that merely drop names
of famous Titanic personalities, "Unsinkable" takes you along as they live
out who they were, succinctly but effectively revealing their personality,
character & world-view. Likewise, events & background are presented not in
a newspaper's sterile who/what/when, but as if from the fire-side
recollections of someone who walked & worked those Southampton & Belfast
streets & shipyards for decades. This same author is also seen on the VHS
home version of the gigantic IMAX film "Titanica".
"Unsinkable" retains the journalistic quality and feel (and sense of
presence) that were a hallmark of Lord's "Night to Remember". It's very
well documented and written in a style that's always scholarly but never
stuffy, always thorough but never excessive. The story unfolds vividly amid
enlightening insights into the deep-rooted morals, prejudices, values &
mindsets of a dynamic near-forgotten culture - a verbal voyage precisely
suited for a stormy weekend near a warm fire, with a teacup of Earl Grey or
your own favorite spices or vices within arm's reach.
Titanic at 2:00 AM - Paul Quinn
ISBN 0-9655209-3-5 (hardback) (C) 1997
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0965520935/qid=971542366/sr=1-1/104-3
440020-0488740
Focuses on the hours right before & during the tragedy, in great detail,
with plenty of good photos, diagrams, etc. An excellent choice for a reader
who for the moment wants to focus on those fateful hours just after
midnight, rather than all of the many facets and side-roads of the Titanic
story.
The Titanic - End of a Dream - Wyn Craig Wade
ISBN 0 14 01.6619 2 (paperback) (C) 1986
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140166912/qid=971541930/sr=1-1/104-3
440020-0488740
Lots of good misc info, but really excels at detailing the US & British
inquiries into the sinking. A great source for students of the legal
consquences & social impact of both inquiries, often quoting the actual
words of Titanic survivors (and others) who were questioned. It also gets
into the political personalities who were the driving forces behind both
inquiries, their goals, possible alternate agendas, and the results of the
inquiries. A great read for background on the politics, related
maneuvering, and social mindsets of that era, both in the US and Great
Britain.
Titanic, Legacy of the World's Greatest Ocean Liner - Susan Wels (with one
"L") in cooperation with Time/Life & the Discovery Channel
ISBN 0-7835-5261-0 (hardback) (C) 1997
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0783552610/qid%3D971542000/104-344002
0-0488740
Excellent collection of many very good narratives & photos, looking at
Titanic from a wide variety of text and visual perspective - typical of the
traditional high quality & popular appeal of both Time/Life & the Discovery
Channel. Simply a very well-designed, detailed, compelling, thorough and
nicely produced intro & overview of the Titanic story.
1912 Facts About Titanic - Lee W. Merideth
ISBN 1-882810-16-3 (paperback) (C) 1999
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0962623741/qid=971542067/sr=1-1/104-3
440020-0488740
A collection of (approximately) 1,912 tidbits about Titanic, many of which
I found in no other book. Rather than attempting to tell a story or present
any new thesis, this book simply does what it promises: it logically groups
& presents a fascinating variety of miscellany, via succinct stand-alone
facts and interesting tangents. And it does it very well. Great read for
new or seasoned Titanic historians, and for casual readers too (especially
if you're pressed for time and you'd like to add to your knowledge without
having to devote large blocks of time to reading & digesting lengthy
chapters).
Titanic: An Illustrated History - Ken Marschall & Don Lynch
ISBN 0-7868-8147-X (paperback) (hardcover also available) (C) 1998
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/078686401X/qid=971542510/sr=1-2/104-3
440020-0488740
An utterly beautiful collection of excellent large-format artwork by
premier Titanic illustrator Ken Marschall, plus very thorough and
well-written text by famed Titanic historian Don Lynch. If you believe that
a picture is worth a thousand words, and that well-chosen words can create
images impossible to paint, then this book is hard to beat. It costs a
little more (large-format picture-books cost more to produce) but it's worth
it.
(Here's some interesting related notes. Don Lynch made a cameo appearance
in Cameron's film: he was the man praising his son for spinning the top.
Also, that very scene reproduced a real-life scene caught in a historic
snapshot on Titanic, taken by Francis M. Browne, before he debarked at
Queenstown. It showed Frederick Spedden with his son Robert spinning a top,
on the exact same spot on the Titanic, viewed from the same angle, with the
same deck-chair in the background, from which the imaginary Jack Dawson
could steal the coat shown on that deck-chair in that snapshot. The photo
is in Dr. Ballard's book ("The Discovery of the Titanic", discussed
earlier) - p. 17 of the hardback edition, not shown in the paperback
version. )
The Great Liners - Time/Life Books
ISBN 0-8094-2664-1 (hardback) (C) 1978
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316849286/qid=971542684/sr=1-18/104-
3440020-0488740
Typical high quality & style of Time/Life books, focusing on interesting
stories of the great ocean-liners, detailing days of glory as well as
tragedy, including Titanic. Many great full-page photos, deawings, etc.
Excellent resource for background & perspective on the tradition of
ocean-liners. (This is one book in a large set of a dozen or so, each
detailing different kinds of ships.
Titanic Voices - Memories From The Fateful Voyage
Southampton City Council, St. Martin's Press
ISBN 0-312-21792-7 (paperback) (C) 1994
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312174284/qid=971542880/sr=1-1/104-3
440020-0488740
This book has more of a personal touch than most others, which comes as no
surprise since it's produced by long-time residents of Titanic's real-life
neighborhoods. It takes you back for intimate moments among the common
folk, crews, sailors & ship-builders of those chilly coastal waters,
typified by chapter titles like "There Goes Daddy's Ship". It's the book
for you if you want to transport your heart & mind to visit the humble
buildings, streets & landmarks that Titanic's human family called home.
Lots of great rare photos, most never published in other books.
Voyage of the Iceberg - Richard Brown
ISBN 0-8253-0187-4 (hardback) (C) 1983 by Beaufort Books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0888626568/qid=971542949/sr=1-2/104-3
440020-0488740
This book - believe it or not - chronicles the path that the iceberg
travelled: from being "calved" into the ocean off the Jakobshavn ice-fjord
amid the ageless glaciers on the west coast of Greenland, following the
currents north and then south along the narrow contour of Baffin Bay, then
drifting ever southward to the featureless 41 46 N by 50 14 W neighborhood
where it ever-so-briefly danced with Titanic.
At first blush, the premise might seem hopelessly corny & contrived, but
the book turns out to be very well done, informative & entertaining. Its
author clearly travelled this neck of the woods, and knew his subject very
well, thank you. He covers the whole region, including its history,
maritime activies & traditions (such as the whaling and harp seal industries
and their personalities & politics), etc. It's all artfully woven together
into a surprisingly enjoyable & engaging read.
The Wreck of the Titanic foretold? Prometheus Books
Edited by Scientific American magazine columnist Martin Gardner
ISBN 0-87975-321-8 (hardback) (C) 1986
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1573922013/qid%3D971543023/104-344002
0-0488740
This book contains the 1898 short story "Futility" (later re-published as
"The Wreck of the Titan" in 1912). It was written by American author Morgan
Robertson in 1898, over a decade before Titanic was even designed. Yet,
Robertson's story takes place aboard a ship virtually identical in size and
design to Titanic (named the Titan!), carrying too few lifeboats, which on
its maiden voyage during a cold April collides with an iceberg on its
starboard side and sinks. (!) Spooky, but true.
The story's plot has nothing to do with the real-life Titanic beyond that,
but it's an interesting read if only for the eerie coincidences of the
details of the two ships, and for insights into social attitudes of the day.
Robertson's short story can be found in several different books. I've
listed here the book I happen to have read, since it's edited by Scientific
American magazine's well-respected science writer, Martin Gardner. In
addition to Robertson's short story, Gardner's book also contains writings
by a real-life passenger on the real Titanic, W. T. Stead (who was a
well-known author of books discussing the supernatural and encouraging all
kinds of much-needed social reforms), and related material. Included are a
few poems about the Titanic tragedy, such as Thomas Hardy's classic, "The
Convergence of the Twain".
MAGAZINES
National Geographic, Dec., 1985 - "How We Found Titanic" - Article by Dr.
Robert Ballard describing... well, the title says it all. Visit their main
page and click the "Contact us" link to send someone an email asking about
back-issues.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/
National Geographic, Aug., 1998 - Great Deep-sea photos of Titanic in true
3-D! (It comes with red/blue glasses, which can also be used with another
article in the same issue depicting the surface of Mars.) See the above
hotlink for back-issues.
Granta, Autumn 1999 - This more erudite literary magazine published a
lengthy Titanic article in this issue, which is subtitled "Women and
Children First". It's a different approach to the subject as seen by a
contemporary writer who's not a Titanic expert but looks instead through
literary eyes. To ask about buying a back-issue, try their Website:
http://www.granta.com
Stereo Review, Nov 98, P. 32 Fans of Cameron's film might be fascinated by
this review of its music. In addition to aesthetics, it turns out that
those beautiful bass notes are SO deep & pure that they can be used as a
measure of a hi-fi's performance, so a fanatic audiophile can find out if
his/her megabuck amplifier can reproduce really REALLY low notes.
VIDEOS
(Note: Some scholarly Titanic researchers may have opinions that differ
with The Discovery Channel or A & E and other "popularized" video producers.
On the other hand, some of these scholars also make a career out of
splitting hairs and whining, to the most extraordinary degrees. You can
sort all of that out on your own, as your studies deepen. The videos listed
here still very well serve the purpose for which they were created: to
educate, inform, and foster widespread interest in this fascinating topic.)
Titanic - Greystone Communications and A & E Network (C) 1994
[DVD]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6305079803/mchach40sbookmar/104-34400
20-0488740
This is an excellent 4-tape series about Titanic's life & times, from her
design, construction, maiden voyage & sinking, ending with her discovery by
Dr. Ballard in 1985. This detailed video series is a great first exposure
for new (and not-so-new) students, covering the general background & history
of the great ship and its tragically short life.
It's narrated by David McCallum, who played Titanic wireless operator
Harold Bride in the 1958 film version of the classic book "A Night To
Remember", mentioned above and below. (And, for you trivia buffs, he also
played the super-smart secret agent "Illya Kuriakin" on the hit 1960's spy
TV-series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E".
(Note that I've listed above a link for only the DVD [which I haven't
seen] because that was all I could find on the Web right now. Check with
your local video stores to order the 4-tape set, and surf he Web yourself as
time goes by. I don't know what [if any) additional material may be on the
DVD.)
Secrets of the Titanic - Nicholas Noxon & Dr. Robert Ballard, and
the National Geographic Society (C) 1986 & 1994
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000005Q8L/qid=971546486/sr=2-3/104-3
440020-0488740
An excellent one-hour video that - in addition to great footage of
Titanic - focuses on Dr. Ballard and his process of planning and executing
its discovery. Too often the general public assumes that everybody
kinda/sorta knew where Titanic was, and were just awaiting some
newer-fangled gizmos to send a camera down there. Not so. Many a needle in
a haystack was easier to find; and the extreme physical risks, discomforts,
and frustrations of launching & carrying out such a massive effort are FAR
removed from the "instant" fun & glory portrayed on TV news. This is a
great companion video to Ballard's book, mentioned earlier.
Titanica Miramax/IMAX film (C) 1995, reformatted for home video 1998
[VHS Tape & DVD shown below]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6304999968/qid%3D971546581/104-344002
0-0488740
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1558908676/mchach40sbookmar/104-34400
20-0488740
These are VHS video & DVD versions of the gigantic IMAX film featuring a
visit to Titanic, narrated by Leonard Nimoy. I don't know exactly what
added material may be on the DVD. I've seen only the VHS version, and know
that this is not exactly the same version that you may have seen in IMAX
theaters. Daniel Allen Butler (author of "Unsinkable", mentioned earlier),
who helped produce the VHS video and who offers on-camera commentary in
Titanica, informed me:
"As I was part of the VHS production, I can tell you that
the VHS version is considerably different from the theatrical
release. A lot of extraneous material in the IMAX movie that
wasn't directly related to the Titanic but were "sidebars"
to the expedition has been eliminated, and commentary by
several authorities in various fields has been added. Nimoy's
narration isn't always factually accurate, and does go over the
top at times, but by comparison with some of the other
documentaries about the Titanic that were spawned in 1998,
this one is pretty good."
This production (at least the VHS version) also offers a good amount of
technical, historical and philosophical insight, featuring some of the
world's top Titanic authorities & authors. (I suspect the DVD will have all
that and more, but haven't confirmed this.) Well-chosen background music
also helps bring the bygone era back to life. Excellent cinematography, as
you'd expect, but it also probes deeper issues like the controversy and
debates over retrieving personal items vs leaving them at the wreck-site.
[Two of the ocean-floor debaters mentioned above are noteworthy for
Hollywood film fans: Dr. Anatoly Sagalevitch played a cameo role in
Cameron's film (his sole line was "No diamond?") and noted Titanic explorer
Ralph White is very briefly seen (red shirt, full beard) while "Old Rose"
tells the crew how she posed for Jack's charcoal sketch. My apologies if I
failed to spot any other cameo appearances.]
Titanic, Treasure of the Deep - Columbia Tristar Home Video (C) 1992
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0767812662/qid%3D971546656/104-344002
0-0488740
Hosted by Walter Cronkite. This documentary chronicles the deepsea
mission that shot the 1990 Imax footage for Titanica, above. In addition to
great views of Titanic herself, this video focuses far more than any other
I've seen on the deep ocean research vessels that made it all possible: the
two submersibles Mir 1 & Mir 2, and their gigantic surface support ship, the
Akademik Mstislavs Keldysh (featured seven years later in Cameron's film,
serving "Brock Lovett" and his crew).
Also prominently profiled is the Russian oceanographer Dr. Anatoly
Sagalevitch ("No diamond?"), who was the untiring designer & creator of all
of these amazing research vessels. Also revealed are the major political
risks that Dr. Sagalevitch took by working with the West during the era of
this dive and the years leading to it, when the Cold War was far from over.
Aside from its other fine points, this video is worth seeing just to gain
an appreciation for the landmark technology & vessels that Dr. Sagalevitch
designed & created, not to mention the fair amount of guts that were part of
the equation. Very well done.
Titanic, The Mystery & The Legacy - Madacy Entertainment Group
(C) 1996 5-part videotape series, 4.5 hours total
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6305172226/qid=971547032/sr=1-/104-34
40020-0488740
The most recent reference made in these tapes is "1996", and only briefly.
But, aside from a couple quick scenes of Titanic on the ocean floor, it
seems like 99% of the footage was filmed in the 1970's. And, that, in my
humble opinion, is what makes this video-set so good. In contrast to some
very polished videos seen in America, this has a very "home-spun" feel to
it, and is veddy Br-r-ritish, thank you. It's an exceedingly quaint &
charming in-depth exploration of the people and places of Titanic's day.
Some of the audio from older interviews with survivors can be a bit muffled
and hard to hear, so headphones might clarify things, but that's a very
minor issue. Each of its five parts lasts from 45 - 60 minutes, drifting
down sentimental side-roads, such as visiting the neighborhood & house where
Captain Smith was born, the cemetery where band-leader Wallace Hartley is
buried, etc. Pour yourself some brandy, sit back, kick off your shoes, and
enjoy.
The "Unsinkable" Titanic - Goldhill Video / Whamo Entertainment
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6305071136/qid%3D971547112/104-344002
0-0488740
A quiet & unassuming but comprehensive & nicely-executed documentary,
covering many of the topics seen in other videos, yet with lots of different
graphics and observations. Very informative, entertaining, and a nice new
stroll down familiar territory with enough freshness and style to make it
well worth the ride.
Titanic's Lost Sister WGBH Video PBS / Nova (C) 1997
[Amazon & PBS links shown below]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6304463219/qid%3D971547327/104-344002
0-0488740
http://www.shop.pbs.org/cust/cdeploy?ecaction=ecproditemview&ecpid=2538&ecsi
d=&eccookie=gqPkeWA%2F0bGl2hH1SR4Wks6VlrzBpbAFW%2B8YFFQ1gw%2BQUqAdj%2BsOWuzO
hAQv2DuWMv%2FCDTd7SNLj%2F0OpxEdZfcpE3ZnqEcIyTNA4qdI%2BMDzeMDSOC3cILKDlOYPdav
rX6%2FBDBMDbxQEYmrpp6aVw7vRX88MPBA%2FtBQP5lRQb6c8MJMbbbJOnYA%3D%3D&template=
shoppbs/products/ecproditemview.en.html
Examines the fate of Titanic's sister ship, Britannic (originally
scheduled to be named "Gigantic"), which - a mere 29 months after Titanic
sank - hit a mine off the coast of Greece in the Aegean Sea, and sank in 90
minutes. A dive team visits the wreck to determine exactly what caused it
to sink, and why it sank so quickly despite the safety upgrades installed
after the Titanic sinking. A very nicely done rare glimpse of the
near-forgotten sister who was gone before the world ever had a chance to
know her.
Battle for Titanic PBS (C) 1999/2000
http://www.shop.pbs.org/cust/cdeploy?ecaction=ecwalkin&template=shoppbs/home
page/index.en.html
Traces the legal & ethical battles over Titanic ownership & salvage
rights, and has excellent recent cinematography of the wreck-site & salvage
efforts (including "The Big Piece" of the hull that was recently recovered).
Offers interviews & overviews of key players, including the controversial
recent pursuer of artifacts, George Tulloch. (As of mid-Oct, 2000, it
wasn't yet listed in PBS's online catalog; but check in [and inquire] in the
future via the PBS online merchandise Website shown above.)
Lost Liners PBS / Partisan Pictures (C) 2000
[Amazon and PBS links shown below]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004UCH6/qid%3D971547434/104-344002
0-0488740
http://www.shop.pbs.org/cust/cdeploy?ecaction=ecproditemview&ecpid=5072&ecsi
d=&eccookie=gqPkeWA%2F0bGl2hH1SR4Wks6VlrzBpbAFW%2B8YFFQ1gw%2BQUqAdj%2BsOWuzO
hAQv2DuWMv%2FCDTd7SNLj%2F0OpxEdZfcpE3ZnqEcIyTNA4qdI%2BMDzeMDSOC3cILKDlOYPdav
rX6%2FBDBMDbxQEYmrpp6aVw7vRX88MPBA%2FtBQP5lRQb6c8MJMbbbJOnYA%3D%3D&template=
shoppbs/products/ecproditemview.en.html
A two-hour exploration of Titanic, Lusitania and the Empress of Ireland.
Quoting Mark Reynolds, whose comments I re-posted on Titanic Internet
newsgroups just before the July 2000 PBS airing:
"Last year, I was asked by Dr. Ballard and Partisan Pictures to
lead an expedition to film the Empress of Ireland, a wreck I had
been diving on since 1982 and which had never been properly featured
in any prior film.
We spent a week together on site last August. In spite of some
incooperative weather, we got some terrific underwater footage of
the wreck and this, combined with literally hundreds of period photos
and recovered artifacts we provided to the production, should provide
the most visually complete record of the Empress produced to date."
Very nicely done, and - in addition to Titanic coverage - an excellent
intro/overview of the other two lesser-known disasters.
HOLLYWOOD VERSIONS OF THE TITANIC STORY, ETC.
Titanic (1953) B&W
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6303396623/qid=971547560/sr=1-17/104-
3440020-0488740
A mid-20th Century dramatization (made five years before the landmark
Night to Remember), starring Clifton Webb, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Wagner,
and Richard Basehart. Directed by Jean Negulesco. This was the first
serious Hollywood production since the less sophisticated silent-movie-era
attempts that were made shortly after the sinking. Won the 1953 Oscar for
best screenplay.
A Night To Remember B&W re-released by Paramount Pictures (C) 1988
[also Hallmark Home Entertainment (C) 1995]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0769403468/qid=971548367/sr=1-2/104-3
440020-0488740
This is a recent home-video re-release of the classic film made in 1958,
based on the book of the same name, by Walter Lord (discussed earlier).
Stars Kenneth More, Anthony Bushnell, Honor Blackman and David McCallum (who
narrated the 4-part Greystone / A & E Titanic history video mentioned
above.) Directed by Roy Ward Baker.
After decades of being nearly forgotten, Lord's book greatly rekindled
interest in the tragedy in the late 1950's. But note that this video is a
dramatized version that's very different in tone & style from Lord's book,
which is much more of a well-crafted documentary. Also, being a drama, the
film doesn't cling 100% to fact, as evidenced in its opening scene showing
Titanic being Christined with a bottle of champagne - which never happened.
But, other than a very minor detail or two like that, it's very true to
historical fact, and a landmark film that demonstrates the very different
style of movie making & directing in the 1950's. Thus, it has a very
different feel than James Cameron's recent film and is arguably more
realistic in some ways, because it retains the formal (if not affected)
old-world air of speech and manner that was the reality in Titanic's day.
SOS Titanic (1979) EMI Films Limited
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000DM1K/qid=971548367/sr=1-4/104-3
440020-0488740
This dramatized adaptation stars David Janssen, Cloris Leachman and Ian
Holm. Well-done and - coincidentally - also co-stars an 18-year-younger
David Warner ("Lovejoy" in Cameron's film), playing the role of real-life
Titanic passenger, British school-teacher Lawrence Beasley. Nicely done,
with a subplot or two to flesh things out.
SOS Titanic is also available as part of a 2-tape set (the other video in
the set is a nicely done Titanic documentary) offered by Brentwood Home
Video (C) 1997.
Titanic (1996) (Made for TV)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1574924524/qid=971548367/sr=1-9/104-3
440020-0488740
Goerge C. Scott made a good Capt. Smith. Catherine Zeta-Jones was the
female lead for an almost half-baked love-story that never went anywhere.
Tim Curry (infamous as the freakish transvestite in the legendary film "The
Rocky Horror Picture Show) plays an utterly seedy and vile character which -
at least for me - only further diminished any enjoyment of this film. Also
stars Eva Marie Saint. Directed by Robert Lieberman. Other people may
differ but, for my tastes, you'd be better off looking first to any of the
other Titanic movies in this list, if you want to add to your enjoyment and
knowledge of the story of Titanic.
Titanic (1997)
[Links for the Regular, Wide-screen & Collector's Edition]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0792151712/qid=971547560/sr=1-23/104-
3440020-0488740
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0792151720/qid=971547560/sr=1-24/104-
3440020-0488740
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JLX0/qid=971547560/sr=1-21/104-
3440020-0488740
Starring Kate Winslet & Leonardo DiCaprio. Directed by James Cameron. If
you still haven't seen it, do yourself a MAJOR favor, put down whatever else
youre doing, and go get it. Like right now. Comparing it to any previous
film version is like comparing a prehistoric cave-drawing to the ceiling of
the Sistine Chapel. If at all possible, get the wide-screen version, and
listen through stereo headphones, or maybe just go buy yourself a full
surround-sound hi-fi home entertainment center. Are you still here? Go!
Run, don't walk! Like, right now!
The Invisible Man (1933)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6300185281/qid=971550369/sr=1-3/104-3
440020-0488740
What?!?! How did this ancient/classic sci-fi flick get onto this list of
Titanic videos?! Because it also co-stars Gloria Stuart, who plays Old Rose
in Cameron's film! During the passing 54 years "the reflection in the
mirror has changed a bit", to use Rose's words. Some actors/actresses (like
Micky Rooney & Judy Garland) you can always recognize easily, whatever their
age. But I'd never ever have remotely recognized Gloria Stuart if I didn't
know it was her; she indeed was a "dish".
Amazingly, in this 1933 film, Ms. Stuart plays the love-interest of Claude
Raines, whose name in the story is also Jack! Plus, Raines played
"Inspector Renault" in Casablanca - and it was a Renault automobile in
Titanic's cargo-hold where Jack and Rose were, shall we say, trying their
best to remain invisible to everyone else. (Okay, that was a stretch, but I
couldn't help myself.)
Curiously, Claude Raines got top-billing, even though you see way more of
Gloria Stuart than of him. Why? Because - duhhh! - he's the Invisible Man!
Which also explains why the censors back then didn't get upset when the
1933-Jack removed all his clothes. I wonder if the Academy had a category
of "Best performance by an actor that nobody could see acting", and if
Raines' agent got him full payscale for that role.
The Bounty (1984) - Sir Anthony Hopkins, Mel Gibson, Liam Neeson...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/630347151X/qid=971550441/sr=2-1/104-3
440020-0488740
... and Bernard Hill, Titanic's Captain Smith, looking much younger while
Fletcher Christian (Gibson) tries to raise Cain and inspire mutiny against
Capt. Bligh (Hopkins). Though Hill is on-screen only very briefly, and
though he seems barely out of his 20's, you'll immediately spot him by that
wonderful crinkle of his eyes. (Another non-Titanic but very notable
feature of this film is the throngs of native Tahitian girls whose laudable
fashion trends saved the film's producers a fortune in fabric costs - well
worth the price of a video-rental for that cinematic experience alone. At
least if you're a guy.)
Anaconda (1997)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000I1P0/qid=971550480/sr=2-1/104-3
440020-0488740
Though also filmed in '97, Jonathon Hyde (who so wonderfully played
Cameron's Bruce Ismay) looks much younger here as he rides a riverboat down
the Amazon, where the world's largest Anaconda is known to hang out (of the
trees, literally, in fact). This too is hardly a pleasure-cruise for him.
For his own sake (or at least the characters he plays) it may be time for
Mr. Hyde to consider becoming a landlubber. (Or maybe his motto could be
"The devil or the deep blue sea...") Jon Voight stars. It's a fun
quasi-believable adventure flick, if that's your taste.
MISC VIDEOS
I've been trying for a couple years to find a copy of the March 1998
Academy Awards TV show (the year Titanic won) and a video describing the
creation of Cameron's film, called "The Making of Titanic" (HBO, I think,
but maybe Fox or Discovery). They should be out there somewhere, but - as
of this writing (October 15, 2000) - I still haven't found a retail or
mail-order source for either, so I can't offer reviews or leads. If you
have any info, please email TheFrankMan@MindSpring.com.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE CD ROMS
All the software titles below were at one time easy to find in most local
computer stores in the $30 - $40 price range. They may still be in some
stores, but lately you'll probably be more likely to get them via the Web -
and at lower prices. Sometimes these are also available in less expensive
"combo" sets. Also, new and used copies pop up now and then on used-product
Web-sites. Since these are CD's that you'd want to work perfectly, try to
stick with new copies vs used, espcially since the prices are so reasonable.
Here's an important thing to remember when buying any software. I
personally have worked in the computer business for a looooong time. In
recent years, I've heard people complain of a program's $30 to $40 price-tag
being "too expensive". Here's some perspective. There were Titanic
students and "buffs" 30 to 40 years ago, just like today. If they wanted to
have programs like the following ones (and of course the computers on which
to run them) they would have had to pay 30 to 40 million bucks. Easy. Just
a thought.
Titanic, Adventure Out of Time - published by CyberFlix (2 CDs)
http://www.shoplet.com/cdrom/db/58923.html
This software has two main modes of operation: Tour Mode and Game Mode.
TOUR MODE: This is an excellent "virtual reality" walk-thru simulation of
Titanic's interior, top to bottom: through the exterior Boat Deck and all
interior decks, restaurants, engine rooms, cargo-holds, the bridge &
wheelhouse, up into one of the smoke funnels, into the gym, etc., etc. It
lets you walk through the ship, going wherever you want, whenever you wish.
(You can also click on various deck-maps to instantly transport yourself
anywhere.) You'll stroll up and down the grand (and other) staircases, with
incredible realism, into the "Cafe Paresian" resturant - even stepping
closer to see highly detailed photo-realistic close-ups by "clicking on"
teacups, dinner plates, etc. It also lets you "bring to life" items like
water faucets, room lights, chandeliers, exercise equipment in the gym, and
much more, again by clicking on them. You can also enter & explore a
typical 2nd-class cabin, though you can't enter other cabins during this
tour.
The background music (which you can turn off) contains some strangely
haunting but very captivating music, giving your travels an ethereal and
almost spooky overtone, but it's fun. And, when you click on the doorknob
of a locked passenger cabin, there's a very eerily realistic
ever-so-slightly echoed sound, that gives you a real sense of mystery and
"presence". Because Titanic was so huge, this tour doesn't display every
single broom-closet and seldom-used minor stairwell, etc. But it certainly
offers a truly excellent and wonderfully thorough tour (for under $20!),
that lets you quickly get the "feel" of the ship's detailed layout, which
results in an incredible sense of deja vu when you next watch any Titanic
movie.
While in tour mode, there are several "guides" whom you can ask for an
informal tour of some part of the ship, without having to bother with the
game. They speak to you via high-quality human voice, through your
computer's speakers, while "walking you" through the tour.
GAME MODE: Using the virtual tour as a stage upon which to play, you use
the Game Mode to play a complex adventure fantasy within all areas of
Titanic, while interacting with various fictional characters unique to this
game (they literally speak to you audibly, and you "reply" by clicking on
one of several replies). Here, you can actually tune & operate the wireless
shortwave radio, adjust steam-engine controls & valves, and do much more not
possible via the Tour Mode, and you also can enter several areas of the ship
peviously not available. The game eventually leads to the ship's sinking,
which you view from the inside as you travel around the ship during its
final moments. External views of the sinking are also shown in the game's
last phase.
But be forewarned: this game is no afternoon romp. It's quite lengthy,
complex, challenging and (some might say) tedious. You may want to do some
Web-surfing to find a copy of the solutions & game-strategy "cheat" book
that CyberFlix published (originally $20, but less in recent years) - just
to have it on hand to prevent you from putting your fist through your
computer monitor. But fear not: similar info and hints/solutions for the
game are also at:
http://www.game-revolution.com/games/codes/pc/titanicwalk.htm
http://gamespot.com/adventure/titanic/hint49e2.html
Still, don't be put off by any of the above warnings. Just for the "tour"
mode alone, ignoring the game, this program is a bargain at ten times the
price. And, if you enjoy games anyway - and if you play the game over a
series of weeks, saving your latest status at the end of each session - it
can be kind of fun. (But don't forget to have that cheat-info handy as a
last-resort!)
Titanic - An Interactive Journey - by Europress
[Retailer Home-page & specific product direct-link shown below]
http://www.qvsoftware.com.au/
http://www.qvsoftware.com.au/products/view_product.asp?pid=11&rc=99
Offers three main features, all quite fascinating and nicely executed.
The first is a detailed series of video scenes (photos and artwork, with
voice narration) exploring the overall Titanic story in nicely rounded and
easy-to-follow detail.
Second, it lets you dive to a wrecked Titanic and explore it as you
manuever your virtual deep-sea vessel. It's not as detailed as Dr.
Ballard's CD, described below, but it's easy to use. At various locations
around the Titanic, your arrival activates actual deep-sea film-clips of the
exact spot you're currently at, offering great detail and clarity.
Third, it contains a large gallery of photos of recovered artifacts. You
scroll through small "thumbnail" photos, and click on each to see full-color
enlargements of all kinds of items that have been brought back to land:
parts of the ship as well as many personal items belonging to passengers and
crew.
IMPORTANT NOTE: both of the above CD ROM software products are available
together in a special combo-package, that saves you $$$. Also included in
this combo is a 3rd CD, which contains 7 more speaking "guides" to lead you
around the ship in "Titanic, Adventure Out Of Time", during its Tour Mode.
Here's 2 sources:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/software/B00001NFUN/pic
tures/14/104-3440020-0488740#more-pictures
http://www.cdaccess.com/html/shared/titancol.htm
Robert D. Ballard - Titanic - Challenge of Disovery - by Panasonic
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/software/B00002SVIA/qid
=971551309/sr=1-1/104-3440020-0488740
This is a virtual reality program that let's you pilot Dr. Ballard's
research vessel/submersible to visit both the Titanic and the Bismark. But,
you're also taught what it takes to be an oceanographic researcher. This is
not so much a "game" as a real-world tutorial that lets you deal with every
aspect of launching a real expedition: raising funds to finance your
mission, gathering the right people for a crew, tending to their morale,
equipping your expedition and overseeing all safety considerations during
each dive (i.e., monotoring batteries and life-support systems, etc.), and
other related aspects of such real-life work.
Don't worry, though - you needn't do all that if you just want to pilot a
submersible: you can visit a sunken plane-wreck or two, right from the
start. But, you do have to "work your way up" and earn your water-wings
before you can visit Titanic.
This is a well-done real-life simulation that dispells the naive notion
that deep-sea research is all fame & glory. You'll soon come to appreciate
the meticulous but essential tedium of preparing a mission, of locating your
target, of getting down to it safely, inching your way along the ocean
floor, getting back topside safely, and the many related tangents we never
see in sound-bite news stories. You'll learn what extraordinary patience
these explorers have when it's you who's piloting one of those ocean-floor
vessels. Very enlightening, not to mention that - once you've earned the
privilege - you're able to finally explore Titanic, on the ocean floor, in a
submersible - with you at the controls!
James Cameron's Titanic Explorer - (A 3-CD set) by Fox
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001YVGX/qid%3D971551384/104-344002
0-0488740
As with the others, this program does several things. It gives a detailed
re-creation of the time-line of events before, during & after the Titanic's
sinking, often using scenes that were edited out of Cameron's movie.
(However, none of the fictional characters [Jack, Rose, Ruth, Cal or
Lovejoy] are in these scenes; only historically accurate persons, like Molly
Brown, etc.)
It also has a detailed "virtual reality" tour of Titanic during her brief
days of glory, visiting dozens of places all over the ship, using
artwork/images of stunningly realistic clarity. It presents biographies of
the passengers & crew, and numerous miscellaneous photos & film clips. It
also contains a complete unabridged transcript of the American Senate
Inquiry, and a compete summary of the British inquiry.
In a word, you know how incredibly much an average CD producer can fit
onto one CD; this is James Cameron filling up 3 CDs, which pretty much says
it all.
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