Missing from DVD for a long time, finally we have some Irwin Allen classics coming back out for release and thank goodness – this little gems great fun!

The Premise

A small spark becomes a blaze… hang on Irwin – you’ve done this before? Oh it’s in a forest!!!

The Disasters Faced

Fire, falling trees, blowing up your car, blowing up your helicopter, rolling your car, being left inside a car or going on a school trip in a van with the worlds worst teacher ever. Transport is bad!

The Execution

Made for TV in 1977 when Irwin Allen was still very much a big character in the film industry, this is your equivalent of what we get now in these long drawn out 4 hour specials. Irwin however decides to cram it all into two hours anyway and cleverly uses all the budget he has to great effect. He brings in stars and rolls out Ernest Borgnine to play quite possibly the nicest man in disaster movie history who ends up driving round from drama to drama trying to save people as he goes. A lot of the film owes itself to Ernest for being earnest!  I’ve not wanted to cheer someone on for saving so many lemming like people for a long while. For a 1977 TV movie it surpassed my expectations and looks infinity better put together than say Beyond the Poseidon or When Time Ran Out.

The Effects

Real fire and stock footage is used often and with the cameras staying close to the flames, you feel much more of the sense of urgency than the actual flames themselves would really portray. It’s clever but it works. Some of the stunts still look very good too. Things were so much better when they didn’t resort to CGI for every tiny thing.

Why It’s Worth Watching

The fire is up and at it by the ten minute mark and you’re drip fed action throughout the film. The characters as a whole are likeable although you’ll want to slap the teacher for being the wettest woman since Ariel. You should play drinking games for every time she has to be checked on, or that Vera Miles calls someone on the phone just to panic, or when Alex Cord’s very deep voice makes you want to laugh when he’s trying to bicker with his wife. It’s perfectly cheesy and that’s why we love it.

Favourite Character

It has to be Ernest Borgnine’s Sam - everyone’s lovable hero.

Best Death

Relatively light of big deaths, the biggest is saved for the end… you knew poor Ernie was going to be a cropper. The number one rule is never be the nice guy – you’ll never make it. Instead you’ll roly poly down a cliff edge in a jeep in a fireball. Toodles!

Weirdest Moment

There are a few but it’s a toss up between Lloyd Nolan whom spends most of the movie trapped in a car and then sat on a sofa with virtually no lines, or the rubbish teacher who decides to nearly die of shock! Return to life by the power of smelling salts!!!

Conclusion

Daft in a way only Irwin Allen knows how, everything looks fun, everyone is potentially on the death list and the film is tightly woven so the TV values do not shine through. A great product of its time. Allen fans need to see this.

James Cameron not satisfied with getting one wet film to the top of the box office tries it again with Sanctum – a film all about cave diving. That well-known sport we all know and love…

The Premise

Lots of rich and generally unlikable people go cave diving and fail to get back out again before a bit rain storm floods the area! Time to swim for survival!

The Disasters Faced

Water, floods, rain, getting yourself trapped under rubble, landing on said rubble, having long hair and each other! Generally everything is bad.

The Execution

Rich people (goes into dream world). You have all the fun. You can go cave diving for fun in South America and experience the beauty of the world. Shame then a rain storm comes along and kills most of you! Sanctum is blood thirty and lets you know that when one of the cast is killed before the disaster even begins. From there it’s an action packed ride as we watch one by one the crew all meet their maker in new and inventive ways. In many ways, most you can see coming because there’s a little hint of Charlie and the Chocolate factory behind all the deaths. Each character is flawed and those flaws end up being their undoing in general. If it’s not, you’ve just been unlucky! The film runs tightly and cinematography is absolutely stunning. How they make some of the underwater shots look so beautiful I’ve no idea. It’s just a shame the characters (not the cast) are in the main vile – but then that makes us cheer I guess when they do go pop.

The Effects

As stated above the camera work and the underwater stunts are particularly impressive. Some of the darkest depths of our Earth suddenly look very inviting to go to. Also big props to the make up department for some very nasty looking cuts and bruises.

Why It’s Worth Watching

Aside from the effects, it’s trying to predict which member of the crew takes a time out next. The film is very vicious and includes self sacrifices and murder. Have a drink someone pops their clogs for a game, or whenever we get dragged into the rather tedious father/son argument that carries the main duo throughout the movie. You’ll be sloshed by mid way.

Favourite Character

Ioan Gruffudd plays the cocky and vile Carl perfectly and while I wain back and forth between liking and disliking him, he is by far the most interesting of the bunch as he teeters back and force from going absolutely nuts.

Favourite Death

There’s so many! I’ll go with Luko’s long drawn out double death early on who is eventually left with such bad injuries from a very nasty fall it’s left to our leader to drown him to ease his pain… charming!

Weirdest Moment

I either blinked or missed it but where on Earth did Liz and JD go? It’s like they go off in a separate area, we see them struggling on a rope line but then it never returns back to them again. Did they live or die? Or did I miss them perish when I was pouring my next drink?

Conclusion

Sanctum is full of thrills and spills. The limited character development in such a compact film is to be expected but the actors do a good job even if the characters come across as brats at times. I was not surprised by the ending but enjoyed my journey there. Just be grateful the bath has a plug!

Hop over and read away before midnight!

Where most films go for the love story, A Night to Remember goes for the documentary view-point, trying to keep as much to facts as possible. As a result, for many this is the definitive Titanic film and it’s just been remastered and released again last week.

The Premise

An almost documentary like view of the sinking based on survivors tales.

The Disasters Faced

Death by irony it seems. “I’m not going in the lifeboats, I’ll catch a death a cold!”

The Execution

Following primarily the 2nd Officer Lightoller, we follow Titanic’s plight and also the California’s non rescue. Filmed in black and white, everything still looks really well done and this is once again due to meticulously built sets and no digital effects to speak of. As usual there’s a good cross-section of other people to follow too but while it’s still emotional and dramatic, it somehow feels more authentic and less gimmicky with the heartstrings.

The Effects

A Night to Remember stands the test of time remarkably. For a film made in 1958, the sets, stunts, effects and camera work is simply amazing. I do like the on-board shots of Molly Brown’s lifeboat going down the side of the ship. I’ve not seen the digitally remastered version but it can only make the picture better and the sound is possibly the only thing can could be improved.

Why Its Worth Watching

As an almost real-time enactment of the sinking, nothing gets closer to the actual events of the Titanic. Instead of spending time following fictional characters, this keeps things closer to the real survivors stories. The sinking itself is done respectfully and dramatically and strikes the perfect balance between documentary and drama. For a drinking game, have one every time you see the chef having one!

Favourite Character

Aside from Kenneth Moore, the chef played by George Rose is great and although he adds light relief to the picture, it’s amazing a true story. Who’d have thought getting absolutely drunk would have saved his life?!

Weirdest Moment

“I must have my lucky pig!” I beg your pardon?!

Conclusion

I have a soft spot for A Night to Remember. It gets better with each viewing. I still marvel at how it holds the test of time today and if anyone wants to see a proper factual account (aside from the Titanic not splitting in half) then this is probably one of the best sources you will ever get.

It’s difficult to review a film that’s had so much written about it already and almost everyone will have already seen it anyway! It’s still a technical marvel and the love story is expertly done. A triumph in cinema.

The Premise

Star (and class) crossed lovers board the Titanic and find love before it all goes pear-shaped.

The Disasters Faced

The Titanic itself, being spat on, choosing the wrong fork and for the audience – having an epileptic fit!

The Execution

From the deep-sea dive which uses some real footage of James Cameron’s own dives to the wreck to the sets and costumes themselves, they’ll be no other exacting recreation of the ship itself than this film probably ever again. Part of the magic is that is actually feels like the real thing anyway, rivalled only by A Night to Remember. The cast themselves are perfectly cast. Kate and Leo are perfect in their roles despite doing some questionable things (Kate you took someone else’s place on that lifeboat!!!) and the supporting cast are excellent too. Particular shout-outs to Kathy Bates for just being her and Francis Fisher for managing the most vicious facial stares committed to film. The effects still hold up for its time because a lot of it was done with real sets and not digital effects. The pacing is also great too because despite spending the first 100 minutes on a love story, it really doesn’t feel like it’s been 100 minutes!

The Effects

As mentioned above, much of the flooding was done by set designs. The deluxe collectors edition has some great footage of them building sets on hydraulics that they then tip into water and submerge it. It’s fantastic that they did it this way as suddenly it’s no longer acting, it’s reacting. Most of the digital stuff still holds up well today too.

Why Its Worth Watching

Above all it’s great movie. You get into the characters plights, touch base with so many different walks of life and although you don’t spend lots of time with them all, you see most of them through to the end of their story. You can also catch homages to previous Titanic films too if you know them. Aside from the film itself I have the deluxe collectors edition which has 40 minutes of deleted scenes which sadly aren’t interjected into the film itself but flesh out a few other characters and add some more historical points in. I’d have preferred it as an extended edition though. There’s also a disc of behind the scenes footage and footage of the dive down to Titanic’s wreck too which is interesting and informative.

Favourite Character

Victor Garber plays Thomas Andrews beautifully, although there are so many great roles. Kathy Bates, Jason Barry, Francis Fischer, David Warner (on the tub yet again) and Billy Zane play the best of the best and worst.

Best Death

A nameless person smacks a propeller on the way off the edge of the boat. Major ouch material! As a set however, the grand staircase going under is always dramatic.

Weirdest Moment

Love spitting?! Not sure my second date would have included that!!!

Conclusion

The greatest Titanic film of them all arguably, it’s a triumph and grande display of cinema excellence. If you haven’t already seen it, you really should – 3D version or otherwise.

In order to beat James Cameron’s version out and capitalise on the hubbub this TV version released in 1996 is a sadly inferior version to most others in almost every way.

The Premise

Once again a cross section of passengers are followed throughout their voyage on Titanic.

The Disasters Faced

Aside from the ship itself, there’s Tim Curry as a whole whose role can only be described as pantomime evil villain, a mental nanny with no nanny skills whatsoever and the possibility of being swallowed by Catherine Zeta Jones mouth.

The Execution

One of the things I do appreciate sometimes with these three hour mini series’ is that you can get some good character depth. Here all we get is to see how as a whole, the majority of the cast are completely dislikeable. Zeta Jones is miserable and snotty, Tim Curry is just vile, as is the thief Mike Doyle. Why on Earth the Allison’s hired the quite clearly not all there Alice I’ve no idea. Infact, the more of a misfit they are, the more the film laps them up. The film decides it would rather spend time watching two romances. The first with Zeta Jones and Peter Gallagher left a bad taste in my mouth as she’s meant to be married and she has absolutely nothing bad to say about him at all. It’s as if she’s just decided to be a filthy moose. The second has such a vile lead in Mike Doyle’s character that I wanted poor Aase to tell him where to go. Worse still, if I drew a line across all the characters that were likeable of all the fictious ones, almost without fail they all perish.

The Effects

The effects are poor to say the least. Some mid 90′s fuzzy smoke, and bad compositing. The actual sinking is shown by some dissolves and although it should be noted it’s the first film to show the ship break in half, even that’s shown by a few pieces of snapping wood.

Why It’s Worth Watching

Tim Curry’s performance and character as a whole is so out-of-place it has to be seen to be believed. Do we really need a jewel stealing plotline? Have we not seen Beyond the Poseidon?! Aside from that, it feels like whomever wrote the script and directed it had seen some parts of next years blockbuster as some of it worryingly parallels the other version and it’s slightly morbid to watch and see how they’ve desperately tried to not rip it off whilst not actually changing much at all. It all reeks of no creativity and what changes are there are grossly out of tone.

Favourite Character

Gotta love the Jack family. Most underused people in the film yet the ones with the most heart and soul.

Best Death

Forgive the subtitle but one of the few areas where this film doesn’t toe the line is showing that children were also killed in the disaster, something skimmed over by a few others. The Jack’s and Allison’s don’t make the boats and that’s the saddest part of it all.

Weirdest Moment

Tim Curry aside, I thought Peter Gallagher was going to be swallowed by Catherine Zeta Jones whenever they kissed. There’s a whole lot of mouth going on. Oh – and enjoy our Theif’s and Nanny’s English skills. accurate maybe, but slightly oddball too!

Conclusion

An utter ripoff that brings very little to the subject as a whole. I’m quite shocked at the fact IMDB has it rated as a 6.0. Decent acting lifts the obviously ramshackle production values but it’s far more a dubious romance story than anything else and everything feels like an afterthought.

The Premise

A family that is falling apart board the infamous ship.

The Disasters Faced

Aside from the main event, drunkenly falling overboard and losing at Bridge (Heaven forbid!)

The Execution

Titanic opens with an iceberg breaking free and drifting off. From there is only the last 25 minutes where the drama of the sinking comes to the front of the film. Aside we have an unhappy couple busy pulling their children in different directions. The daughter is busy trying to be snobby to Robert Wagner who is left with some of the most cringe worthy sing songs this side of World War II. While this is all very charming and light-hearted, the main duo enjoy ripping into each other and their stage presence is great, as is the script. This is very much a drama first that’s set aboard the Titanic which is only the backdrop to heighten the drama at the end. It’s also only 93 minutes long so if the characters don’t take you, it’s one of the shorter films on the subject before the action starts.

The Effects

The wide shots are well done, as is the actual collision itself (albeit on the wrong side of the ship!) The few shots of destruction are well done with large amounts of water crashing into the shot and the sets and costumes are lavishly presented. It holds up very well for being almost 60 years old.

Why It’s Worth Watching

To watch Robert Wagner be snubbed time and time again is good enough. The acting is very well done. It’s also interesting to see how inaccurate the film is compared to the real events too as it’s night and day between this as say A Night to Remember. There’s a lot of goofs and errors too. Pushing that aside though, it is still a very enjoyable film on its own merit to watch. Also of note is the fantastic 90 minute documentary that chronicles all the Titanic films from 1912 up to 1997. It’s really well done and a great bonus feature on the UK DVD release.

Favourite Character

Harper Carter who somehow goes uncredited as the main couples son?! How on earth his name is not up in lights I’ve no idea as he is the heart and soul of the main family and their plight. The fact he does the unthinkable for others as if it were the easiest decision in the world shows him as a pure innocent child and makes the ending all the sadder for it.

Best “Death”

The cut short hymn of Nearer My God to Thee is a haunting way to close the tragedy.

Weirdest Moment

Aside from Wagner’s Jigs Volume 3, I did find it funny after Barbara Stanwyck tells Cliffton Webb their son isn’t his, she walks out and storms round the corner… where she promptly stops and waits. Obviously the set ended there but you can see her shadow just stay perfectly still while she’s out of sight as we watch Cliffton react. She’s Behiiiind You!

Conclusion

Titanic on its own merits is a thoroughly entertaining film that captivates its audience with intrigue, sordid scandal and action. As a historical memento, this is one of the most inaccurate (Molly Brown is called Maude Young?!) but if you’re looking for style over detail – this is a great film to show what early 50′s cinema could do.

On the eve of the 100th Anniversairy of Titanic’s sinking, it seems fit to review all the Titanic films I’ve seen and finally, after a long wait, SOS Titanic was finally released on DVD in the UK. Worth the wait? I’d certainly say so.

The Premise

If you don’t know a Titanic film by now, you never will. This is a distinctly British stab at it trying to recreate actual events from witness accounts.

The Disasters Faced

The Iceberg, stacking it in your fine gown and a runaway piano.

The Execution

What a difference a fine set of actors and actresses make to a film. Whilst the film does boast some very good production values – especially with set and costume design – it’s the acting that really raises the bar. Each person has their own stage presence – one lady doesn’t even say a word throughout the film yet she makes herself more than known throughout. As ever with a Titanic film, there’s a good cross-section of passengers and crew from all classes and they each have their own drama’s ongoing. What marks this out is that each character nicely fleshed out. How refreshing it is to see Molly Brown worry and fret about being alone, to see 2nd class passengers discuss how they are strangely in the middle of system (a class often left out in other films) and so on. The action sequences are shot and put together so that they get the most out of what they had and it simply just feels different compared to a lot of the cut and paste romance riddled imitators of James Cameron’s version – one that would come nearly 20 years after this one.

The Effects

Some of the big view shots are still pictures and there’s some clever camera trickery that now is quite easy to spot but everything does the job. The set designs are generally fantastic though.

Why Its Worth Watching

SOS Titanic in its current shortened version is a fantastic view because it makes some really interesting choices. Ian Holm’s portrayal of Ismay is the first time I’ve seen him played as a broken man pushed to the edge. There’s also a lot more to do with the Carpathia, with a full epilogue to round the story off there too. It’s also interested in being quite detailed without needing to drown everything in melodrama. There’s a certain innocence and beauty to it all and the script allows the actors to work their magic. I would kill for the full unabridged version that aired on TV.

Favourite Character

One of the key things is the likeability of many characters in this film. I’ll go with David Warner on one of his three trips to Titanic in his film career for playing the perfect gentleman! Cloris Leachman’s Molly Brown is a narrowly beaten second however.

Best Death

The grand piano! I originally saw the film on TV when I was a young child and the moment stuck so much in my head, even though the name didn’t. It took me years before the internet came along for me to discover which film it had come from.

Weirdest Moment

There are only two flaws (aside from the it sank in one piece problem) that confuse me. One is because the DVD chops over 40 minutes of story, sometimes characters drop in and out for a while and then appear in two places right next to each other without warning. Helen Mirren goes from lifeboat to the smoking room back to back. Surely she’s going the wrong way?! Aside from that, the real footage of icebergs is clearly shot in the day time and when cut in between the effects of the ship itself at night-time, it’s jarring and slightly Twilight Zone esque.

Conclusion

For me there are three Titanic films that personally stand above the rest that I’ve seen to date. James Cameron’s Titanic for its lavish production and attention to detail, A Night to Remember for its fastidious account where it almost becomes documentary like and SOS Titanic for it feels almost like a scrapbook Diary version of events – somewhere pitched between the aforementioned two. All three are most worthy of your attention.