Product Description

It was the sister ship of the infamous Titanic... and its final destiny was the same. Experience the true untold story of Britannic, a tumultuous, epic voyage of human passion, courage and betrayal aboard an ill-fated ocean liner bound for a shattering demise. With the world at war, an undercover British agent (Amanda Ryan), embarks the Britannic in search of a German spy believed to be on board to sabotage the ship. Posing as a governess, the undercover agent finds herself falling in love with the ship's chaplain (Edward Atterton). In a stunning discovery, the lovers suddenly find themselves enemies of war. And when a massive explosion deals a deathblow to the ship, their battle becomes one for their own survival. With a dynamic, international cast and a story line that hosts a chilling tale of espionage, politics and romance, Britannic brings one of history's most devastating events to riveting, new life. Edward Atterton, Amanda Ryan, Jacqueline Bisset, Bruce Payne, John Rhys-Davies

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #70059 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-06-20
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 93 minutes

Amazon.com
The ocean liner Britannic was the sister ship of the Titanic, and it suffered a similar, though far less celebrated, fate, sinking quickly in the Mediterranean during World War I. The mysterious circumstances of the Britannic's demise, in which an unexplained explosion ripped a huge hole in its hull, are the underpinnings of this made-for-TV movie. Historians have long debated whether the massive liner, which had been pressed into service as a British hospital ship, was sunk by a stray mine or a German torpedo, but this production centers on German saboteurs aboard the ship. Amanda Ryan turns in a lively performance as a plucky British intelligence operative who battles sexism as well as German spies, while the biggest name in the cast, Jacqueline Bisset, has a mostly extraneous role as a British socialite. Just as the ship Britannic has always taken second place to the more famous Titanic, this production suffers when the obvious comparisons are made with James Cameron's blockbuster. There are scenes, including some watery escapes below decks in the sinking liner, that seem virtually modeled on the big-screen Titanic, and the computer-generated images of Britannic are often glaringly obvious. But there is enough of a plot to keep a viewer's interest, and action scenes, such as gun battles in the engine rooms, to keep the plot steaming along. --Robert J. McNamara

Customer Reviews

Charming despite its shortcomings
Riding on the wave of Titanic-fever that followed the release of the hugely popular James Cameron movie TITANIC this production focuses on the lesser-known but equally ill fated sister ship of the famous liner - the Britannic.
Ostensibly posing as a hospital ship in World War I transporting medical supplies across the Mediterranean, the Britannic is actually carrying a large cache of weapons, a clear violation of the rules of war that threatens both the safety of genuine hospital ships but also gives justification for this ships destruction by German agents.
Suspecting this to be the case Germany has planted a top German agent on board as a chaplain, who with the aid of Irish insurgents already on board as members of the crew. Not to be outdone however, British Intelligence somehow (it is never fully explained how) have caught wind of the German plot ands planted a female agent on board (despite having just graduated from spy school - she was apparently the only British agent available for the operation). No matter that the British agent is impossibly beautiful (as played by the stunning Amanda Ryan) and therefore unlikely to blend into the background (surely an essential characteristic for an agent) but her character is not only a survivor of the original Titanic sinking, but also the one passenger who falls in love with the German agent - oh the irony.
Nevertheless one charge that can never be leveled at "Britannic" is (despite its laughable claim to tell the 'untold story' of the liner), it is certainly never boring or lacking in thrills. Its special effects may look more fitting for a high production value video game, and some of the veteran actors on the cast list guilty of incredible overacting, but this is all part of the charm of this movie. Taken for what it is, you cannot help but enjoy the movie and with a cast that includes Jacqueline Bisset and the ever amazing John Rhys-Davies, it's all good hokum fun.
Leave the history books on the bookshelf and sit back for the escapist drama which is 2000's BRITANNIC

Action and Suspense
Inspired by the 1998 "Titanic", this is the story of the mysterious sinking of Titanic's Sister Ship Britannic. Starring Amanda Ryan, and featuring John Rhys-Davies (Salah in the Indiana Jones films), the cast is surprisingly good in the way only mid-level British actors can be, turning in workmanlike performances that nearly make you forget this is not a big-budget blockbuster. If you liked Titanic, then see this movie.

Historically inaccurate, but still great fun
I have spent literally hundreds of hours researching the Britannic for a book that I'm working on, and as soon as I heard that they were making a film about her I was instantly curious. I turned on the television to see it one night without expecting very much, mainly because nobody has any idea what really sank the ship in the first place. However I was bowled over by the great story, character development and interesting take on what may have happened to her. As far as I'm concerned this movie is as good as it could have been considering the historical evidence, and the possiblity of a German spy on board was indeed an interesting touch. Although for the record, the famed torpedo incident didn't take place, and neither did the gunfight on board. My only real complaint is the casting of John Ryes-Davis as Captain Bartlett. Although a great actor, he does not resemble the real Captain Bartlett in any way. Still, a great view!