A Night to Remember (1958 film)

A Night to Remember (1958 film)
John J. Floherty · Public domain · source
Name	A Night to Remember
Director	Roy Ward Baker
Producer	William MacQuitty
Writer	Eric Ambler
Based on	A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
Starring	Kenneth More, Ronald Allen, Robert Ayres, Honor Blackman, Anthony Bushell
Music	William Alwyn
Cinematography	Geoffrey Unsworth
Editing	Eric Boyd-Perkins
Production company	Rank Organisation
Distributed by	Rank Film Distributors
Release date	July 3, 1958
Running time	123 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

A Night to Remember (1958 film) is a British epic disaster film directed by Roy Ward Baker and produced by William MacQuitty, based on the 1955 book of the same name by Walter Lord, which tells the story of the RMS Titanic's sinking. The film features an ensemble cast, including Kenneth More, Ronald Allen, Robert Ayres, Honor Blackman, and Anthony Bushell, and was released by Rank Film Distributors in the United Kingdom. The film's screenplay was written by Eric Ambler, and the music was composed by William Alwyn, with Geoffrey Unsworth serving as the cinematographer and Eric Boyd-Perkins as the editor. The film was produced by Rank Organisation and premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square in London.

Production

The production of the film was a complex and challenging process, involving the construction of a large-scale model of the RMS Titanic and the use of special effects to recreate the ship's sinking. The film's director, Roy Ward Baker, worked closely with the producer, William MacQuitty, to ensure that the film was as accurate as possible, consulting with Walter Lord, the author of the book on which the film is based, and Archibald Gracie, a survivor of the Titanic disaster. The film's cast, including Kenneth More, Ronald Allen, and Honor Blackman, underwent extensive rehearsals to prepare for their roles, and the film's costume design was overseen by Yvonne Caffin, who worked to recreate the fashions of the 1910s. The film was shot on location in England and Wales, with additional scenes filmed at Shepperton Studios and Pinewood Studios.

Plot

The film tells the story of the RMS Titanic's sinking on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City in 1912. The story is told through the eyes of Second Officer Charles Lightoller, played by Kenneth More, who is one of the ship's most senior officers. The film follows the ship's journey from its departure from Southampton to its arrival in New York City, and the events that lead up to the ship's sinking, including the iceberg collision and the subsequent flooding of the ship's compartments. The film also explores the social class divisions on board the ship, with first-class passengers such as Lady Duff Gordon and Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon enjoying luxurious accommodations, while third-class passengers such as Jack Phillips and Harold Bride face more basic conditions. The film features a number of historical figures, including Captain Edward Smith, J. Bruce Ismay, and Thomas Andrews, and includes scenes depicting the ship's band playing Nearer, My God, to Thee as the ship sinks.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast, including Kenneth More as Second Officer Charles Lightoller, Ronald Allen as Roderick Chisholm, Robert Ayres as Major Arthur Peuchen, Honor Blackman as Mrs. Liz Lucas, and Anthony Bushell as Captain Edward Smith. The cast also includes Jill Dixon as Mrs. Beesley, John Cairney as Jack Phillips, and David McCallum as Harold Bride. The film's cast underwent extensive rehearsals to prepare for their roles, and worked closely with the director, Roy Ward Baker, to ensure that their performances were as accurate as possible. The film's cast includes a number of well-known actors from the United Kingdom, including Laurence Naismith, Frank Lawton, and Trevor Howard, and features a number of cameo appearances by actors such as Michael Goodliffe and George Rose.

Release

The film was released in the United Kingdom on July 3, 1958, and premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square in London. The film was distributed by Rank Film Distributors and was released in black and white, with a running time of 123 minutes. The film was a commercial success, grossing over £1 million at the box office, and received positive reviews from critics, including Bosley Crowther of The New York Times and Dilys Powell of The Sunday Times. The film was also released in the United States, where it was distributed by Columbia Pictures and premiered at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many critics praising its accurate and detailed portrayal of the Titanic disaster. The film was praised by Bosley Crowther of The New York Times, who described it as "a magnificent and moving film", and by Dilys Powell of The Sunday Times, who praised its "dignity and restraint". The film was also praised by historians, including Walter Lord, who described it as "the most accurate film about the Titanic ever made". The film has since been recognized as a classic of British cinema, and has been named as one of the greatest films of all time by Empire magazine and The Guardian.

Historical_accuracy

The film is notable for its historical accuracy, with the director, Roy Ward Baker, and the producer, William MacQuitty, working closely with Walter Lord and other historians to ensure that the film was as accurate as possible. The film's attention to detail is evident in its depiction of the Titanic's interior design, including the Grand Staircase and the Promenade Deck, which were recreated using original blueprints and photographs. The film also features a number of historical figures, including Captain Edward Smith, J. Bruce Ismay, and Thomas Andrews, who are portrayed by actors such as Anthony Bushell and Michael Goodliffe. The film's historical accuracy has been praised by historians and critics alike, and it is widely regarded as one of the most accurate films about the Titanic ever made. Category:1958 films