In April, in just a few weeks, the movie Titanic will be in movie theaters but this time with special 3D glasses! I have seen photos of people who have gone on cruises and the cruise ships have special photo areas that are made up to look like the Grand Staircase of the Titanic so that you may have your photo made with that lovely background! Never mind that 1,514 people perished on that ship and was one of the greatest tragedies in peacetime maritime history.
Now, please don't get me wrong, I truly find the story of the Titanic fascinating. And I hope that anyone who watches the movie will look further and find that Margaret Brown (called Molly Brown in the film and known as The Unsinkable Molly Brown) is a much more fascinating person than can hardly be described in a movie! Anything that is non-fiction is what I really like to read and to also see in a film version. (If a movie is a true story or based on a true story....that is my kind of movie.) In England, this week, there was a mini-series which is by Julian Fellowes (the same man who wrote "Downton Abbey") about the Titanic and I have read that this will be shown in the USA during the month of April. (The Titanic sunk on April 15th, 1912, so you know since it has been 100 years, it will be shown to coincide with that date.) We all know the story, I am sure, but I wonder if you have ever read a book called "A Night To Remember" by Walter Lord. If not, I highly recommend it to you. You may read about the sinking of the ship and watch a movie or TV series about it...but how about hearing about it from someone who was there? I have found a video of Eva Hart, one of the survivors and I wanted to share it with you..."That is what I saw, that is what I remember"....
I enjoy reading non-fiction but I think I prefer a fiction background for films. That way, when things get too emotional I just remind myself it's a cast of actors playing out something from a person's imagination. I'm just a wimp!
ReplyDeleteJust recently, Richard and I watched "The Changeling". This was a true story but the movie, I think, was mis-cast as Angelina Jolie in the lead. Even if you don't see the movie, if you read about it on the internet, you may see why this is one of those films that you (or anyone, not just you!) could become too emotional over. It is a chilling story because it is all true.
DeleteLike John, I think I enjoy fiction (movies or books), among other things, precisely because that is what they are, fiction. But I like documentaries and biographies, although sometimes I find it hard to accept that I usually know the outcome from the start.
ReplyDeleteI think it is important to understand the viewpoint of the people involved in our history. You would be surprised to know that many people told me that they didn't know the story of the Titanic at all, other than it had sunk.
DeleteI've just written a comment on another blog about precisely this subject, Kay...I guess it's on our minds with the centenary coming up. Interesting & thoughtful...I've heard Eva Hart before but it was a long time ago. There's always the controversy about bringing real events 'to life' I think. On one hand, I can see that it could be seen as 'cashing in ' on the very real tragedy and the loss of so many lives. However, I take the view that it raises awareness of events and, if done well (which I believe James Cameron achieved) can become a tribute to the dead too. Schindler's List, for instance...I know that many people who didn't understand or know key facts about the full horror of the Holocaust were completely educated by that movie. Even something as recent as 'United 93', while incredibly difficult to watch, was so well crafted that I found it to be a very moving tribute to some of the victims of 9/11.
ReplyDeleteThe Rose/Jack device was the 'hook' that got people who wouldn't ordinarily go to a 'history' movie to go...and brought the events to life for millions. The demise of Titanic is something that has captured people's imaginations ever since it sank...for all sorts of reasons. I think this movie..and, yes, 'A Night to Remember' & Julian Fellowes' Titanic (which I watched on Sunday - excellent)...are sympathetically made in an unsensational way and serve to remind us that at the heart of the terror of that dark, cold night were thousands of individual losses & tragic stories. Rich, poor, First Class or Steerage,they were all just people like us.
Hope you're having a good week...it's beautiful over here, in the 70's every day! xo
Dear Rachel,
DeleteOh, I know exactly what you mean. If the Jack/Rose story had not been in that movie, I know many women myself that would not have even thought of going to see that movie. (And I felt that those fictional characters, in effect, were symbols of all the lost young people who died.) I read a quote by Julian Fellowes that said he had always been interested in the subject but was not a fanatic about it...and that is what I think we should all be. It was a terrible tragedy that affected so many people. (Not actors, not Hollywood studio heads but REAL PEOPLE, like you say..rich or poor, just people.) If you see the information about Eva Hart on wikipedia, read what she has to say about those who exploit the Titanic, she had no time for them!
Dear Rachel, thank you so much for your comment. What prompted this post was an article showing all the things on sale connected to the Titanic (Titanic First Class maid doll, a boxed coal from the Titanic, A Titanic cruise, etc... I just couldn't believe some of these things.)
We need rain here! Our pollen is at such a level that it is hard to breathe. And I like to breathe! Take care.
I remember when Titanic movie fever hit here! :) I am very picky as to what I read in non-fiction, simply because I have a tendency to get anxious anyway, I try not to add to that. If I read that book, there's probably no way I'd get on another cruise ship... or on the water at all! Like Sriptor Senex, I like fiction for the reason that it's fiction and I can remind myself of that. :) Even then, I sometimes get anxious for the characters - silly, isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteAre you enjoying spring in Georgia? We are!! Love, Silke
Dear Silke,
DeleteAre you and Scriptor brother and sister? You sound just alike! :-) I can understand how true stories of tragedies can be overwhelming. I mentioned a story above to Scriptor, the movie "The Changeling"...it was very disturbing to me since it was all true.
The Titanic was built in my home town (Belfast) and I have always been interested in it. I didn't like the Rose/Jack movie but I enjoyed listening to Eva Hart on that little film.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you liked the Eva Hart clip from Youtube. What are your views about the Titanic movie?
DeleteI would be interested in what you have to say about it.
Thanks for commenting! :-)
We have a copy of the book, and Sweetie read it. Though i started to, i was so sad about the whole thing i had too stop. The back story, of the decisions made that cost so many lives, makes me very angry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this.
Dear Mimi,
DeleteI first read that book when I was in the sixth grade, I think I was about 11 years old. It is a very sad tale especially since this great loss of life could have been prevented.
And I thank you for your comment.
I haven't read the book, but I've seen the movies Titanic and saw Debbie Reynolds playing Molly Brown. I've also read several articles about the tragedy. I know what you mean about posing happily near areas of tragedy. People just think of it as a famous place and don't think about the agony and horror that went on there.
ReplyDeleteHey Key!
DeleteIf you read about the Unsinkable Molly Brown it is almost impossible to believe that she crammed so much into her life...type in her name and read about her on Wikipedia. I honestly admire her so much!
I'm glad that you understand what I was trying to say here...having dolls made in the likeness of maids from the Titanic, didn't that give anyone pause, to think that that could possibly be in poor taste?
Agreed, What a terrible tragedy...sometimes we lose focus of what happened to all those people when we marvel at the beauty of the ship or a Hollywood love story.
ReplyDeleteI will put the book on my list.
Hope you are well,
e
Dear Elizabeth,
DeleteThat book was published in the 50's, I think, but it is a classic and very well researched and written.
Hope you are enjoying a lovely Spring!
I've always been transfixed by the Titanic story ~ hard not to be. Like you, I usually only read non-fiction although I'm less choosy about movies. I didn't like the Hollywood Titanic movie although I do appreciate that it taught many people the history. I don't intend to see the re-release. I enjoyed watching Eva's clip and it made me so sad to think that there are no longer any living survivors. To hear a true account is quite fascinating. The part about the silence after the ship went down and having heard all the people drowning....well, I had some serious chills. How sad. I intend to look into your book recommendation. Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteDear Audrey,
DeleteOh, thank you for your comment. Like you, I didn't think I would like the movie but when it came to our local $1.00 movie, I felt that I had to see it. I have my criticisms of it, but all in all, it was worth watching. Not one I would want to see again though.
I had seen this documentary on TV before, so when I found this on Youtube, I knew I wanted to have this on my post. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
I didn't go to see the film when it was released for the very reason that it focused on a fictitious love story. I have since seen it on DVD and found it irritating! I can't understand why there is so much fuss about the 3D version, it is still the same annoying film!
ReplyDeleteDear Tracey,
DeleteI think that honestly, this movie is one that really is better at the movies...on a big screen, with a crowd of people. I could be wrong (it's happened before!) but somehow you are swept up into it and feel like you are a part of that ship and those doomed people aboard it. Honestly, not one of my favorites but I can see how it can be for some. (I can always see both sides of something, so neither side ever likes me!) :-) But in 3D? That sounds like someone just trying to make a buck to me (or rather MILLIONS OF BUCKS).
I didn't think that Kate Winslet was believable in the film. She just looked too old alongside Leonardo de Caprio. I think that's his name.
ReplyDeleteHey John!
ReplyDeleteI agree. (And the thought that someone as wealthy as she was supposed to be, she would have had nothing to do with him.) I think that Kate Winslet looks better now than she did in Titanic!
And you would laugh to know I heard a man mutter this as we left the movie theater..."I think she could have moved that fat a.. over and made some room for him!" Hey, this is Georgia and this is what I heard!
I didn't watch Titanic when it first came out. It actually took a few years to get into it. I'm not a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio or Kate Winslet to begin with, so that certainly didn't help to get me in the mood to watch it. When I finally did, I thought it was an okay film, but not great. I'd rather watch a film/documentary about the true story, which is very tragic.
ReplyDeleteDear Martha,
DeleteIt seems that most people either loved that movie or disliked it intensely. Like you, I fall somewhere in the middle.
Hi Jay, My comment from a number of hours ago seems to have gone astray...! It had posted right after Tracey's. I didn't like the Titanic movie - I don't like love stories as a rule, unless they are comedies. I think that a fictitious love story had no place in the movie. Loved this fascinating lady!
ReplyDeleteHey Jane!
ReplyDeleteIt went to my email, I just found it! Like you, I'm not big on love stories either. I tease my husband and tell him he's the romantic one in our house! You must love comedies as much as I do.
I'm pleased that you liked this film clip that I put on here. What an interesting lady. I hope that you have time to look up Molly Brown, I forgot to mention her and added her name later!
Hello Kay
ReplyDeleteI have just watched the Eva Hart video clip which was fascinating. I have always been interested in the Titanic story, I did like the film and the music (though Kate Winslet says it now makes her feel sick!)A Night to Remember really was a memorable film. There is a museum in Belfast opening today dedicated to the Titanic where it was built of course. I hope to visit it as I am a regular visitor to Northern Ireland.
Referring to your other post about the moon and planets, they have been very clear for us during the last week or so.
I have just delivered my daughter to the airport this morning she will be in Augusta by late tonight our time, early evening your time. It has cooled right off here after a week of lovely summery weather, it is was cold this morning so she will appreciate some sun, wish I was going with her!
Hey Sandra!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter will be going right past Conyers (on I-20 East) to get to Augusta! We actually have an overcast day today since it FINALLY rained last night. Some of our dogwood trees have bloomed out, and some are in absolute perfect bloom! All the green is coming out on the trees...really a pretty time of year for her to see. And the azaleas in Augusta should be just right for her!
Glad you liked the Eva Hart clip too, I found it fascinating.
The movie, A Night To Remember, had one of my favorite actors, the man who played The Ghost of Christmas Present in Scrooge, Sir Kenneth More! (He also played Doug Bader in the movie, "Reach For The Sky" which is another book & movie that I love. Don't even get me started on how much I admire Doug Bader!!!)
Hope you got to see a darker sky than we did, but I was happy to see that planet so brightly in the sky but we are not sure if it was Venus or Jupiter! :-)
I hope all goes well with your daughter here in Georgia. The airport is not very pleasant (I have been to other airports and they are much more "user-friendly" than ATL.)If she can survive the rude folks at the airport, she should be okay!