A Night to Remember (1958)

Directed by Roy Ward Baker. Starring Michael Goodliffe, Kenneth More, Laurence Naismith, Jill Dixon, Honor Blackman, Frank Lawton, John Merivale, Ronald Allen, John Cairney, Richard Clarke, Patrick Waddington, Harriette Johns, George Rose, Patrick McAlinney, Tucker McGuire, Anthony Bushell.

Sobering docudrama recreation of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, recounted in the same-named book by Walter Lord, takes a measured and modest approach to the tragedy. In terms of sheer spectacle, it can’t compare to the more famous, Oscar-winning Hollywood production from 1997, but this one’s superior in nearly all other aspects, especially emotional breadth, storytelling, characterizations, clarity, and restraint. Deep, dense cast rarely disappoints; keep an eye out for several recognizable faces in minor roles, including Bernard Fox and a pre-”Q” Desmond Llewellyn. Lord’s book was previously adapted for live American television in 1956.

81/100