Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by rico (A) on November 25, 2006 at 09:31:12

No, not the James Cameron version hated by so many here, this is the TV mini-series, made the year before in 1996. It is actually pretty good, as good in some ways as the theatrical blockbuster and in some ways better (e.g., the romance between Catherine Zeta-Jines and Peter Gallagher is far better cast and more onvolving than the cartoonish one between the DiCaprio and Winslett characters). George C. Scott as Captain Smith is quite believable, although it is hard to believe that bad guy (here at least) Ishmay ordered extra boilers lit without the Captain knowing it. The usual First Class/ Steerage sub plots abound, some interesting, some just filler. This is the first Titanic film to show the ship breaking apart as it sinks. Though made with a much lowewr budget than Cameron's film (meaning far less CGI effects) this is a competent version of the Titanic story. Eva Marie saint is particularly good as an upper class snob. Available on laserdisc and DVD.