Product Description

Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 02/26/2002 Run time: 300 minutes Rating: Nr

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10631 in DVD
• Brand: A&E
• Released on: 2002-02-26
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 300 minutes

Amazon.com
Of all the many documentaries that have been made about the Titanic disaster, this two-part, 192-minute film, produced in 1994 for the Arts & Entertainment network, remains the most thorough, authoritative, and fascinating chronicle of the Titanic tragedy. Written, produced, and directed by Melissa Jo Peltier and elegantly narrated by actor David McCallum, the film utilizes thorough research, archival films and documents, and expert testimony to span the entire history of the legendary S.S. Titanic. From blueprint design and construction in Ireland, to the ill-fated maiden voyage and the lasting legacy of Titanic's fateful sinking, no detail has been neglected in the film's meticulous description of events. Part 1, "The Death of a Dream," builds dramatic momentum to the ship's collision with an iceberg in the freezing North Atlantic, including detailed accounts of the agonizing two-hour sinking and the rescue of survivors. Part 2, "The Legend Lives On," explores the investigation into Titanic's sinking, the impact on later ship design and the dramatic rediscovery of Titanic's ghostly remains on the ocean floor. Parts 1 and 2 include abundant interviews with such noted Titanic authorities as Don Lynch and Ken Marschall (consultants on the blockbuster movie Titanic), and several Titanic survivors who have since passed away. The cumulative effect of this detailed film is a complete appreciation for the sheer irony, drama, and magnitude of the Titanic disaster. The James Cameron film was certainly entertaining, but this superior documentary proves that truth can be every bit as absorbing as fictionalized history. It's an essential addition to any Titanic buff's library. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Three x 95 minutes documentary set.
Another of the A&E historical documentary series' that has been up-dated and re-priced for DVD; but in the typical A&E style, does not contain sub-titles...
This two disc set contains three 95 minute documentaries made in the 1990's containing archeive film footage, photographs, interviews with survivors, and excerpts from passengers notes and diaries read by a voice actor of the same age, gender, and class/area accent as the original writer. Also included are: "Timeline of Critical Events"; "Biographies of Notable Passengers"; and an "Essay on the History of the Tragedy as seen in Popular Culture".
"Death of a Dream". 1994 mono 95'42" Introduces the plans for, and actual contruction and crewing policies for the Titanic and it's sister ships.
"The Legend Lives On". 1994 mono 95'52" Starts from the collision and continues with the aftermath in the press through to the investigative trials.
( Both of the above are narrated by David McCullum who acted in "A night to Remember" as the main radio operator ).
"Beyond Titanic". 1998 stereo 94'06" Looks at the continuing legacy and fascination with the Tianic's legend in books, television and film - from the 1917 silent movie through a Nazi semi-propaganda film from 1942, through Irwin Allen's "Time Tunnel's" premier episode to James Cameroon's film. Also included are scenes from: the search, discovery, and reclaimation of items from the seabed of the actual site where Titanic currently rests.
Overall this collection is a quite satisfying overview of the Titanic, with pleasing original film and photographic inclusion, plus some montages of modern and original material.

Great detail...fascinating!
I purchased this for my 9 year old as he is obsessed with the tragedy of the Titanic sinking in 1912. We both were fascinated by it. Great Job A&E. I watched it with my son and have already repeated watching the second disc the very next day myself! It is awesome and really detailed. It is hard to believe some of the facts that had to do with the "times" such as class distinctions, also equally disturbing that even that as gallant as it was and appropriate in those times for "women and children first" to be saved, the tragedy left the rescued women instant widows in a time that was very difficult as it was pre-sufferget, also not to mention fatherless children and the horrible fact that most 3rd class passengers (if not all of them) perished, women, children and men. They left no stone unturned in this presentation. I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone really seeking facts about that night and the history and politics involved afterward, with the trials of Ismay and also Captian Lord (Captain from the ship accused of not responding to the Titanic's distress flares). It takes you from the beginning of the Titanic in Belfast Ireland to the sinking and rescue of the survivors in the life boats and bringing them to New York. There are personal quotes from passengers as written to loved ones and still photographs taken on the ship prior to the night of April 14th. The show also includes footage of commentary from living survivors today, that add another dimension to the presentation, which makes it so much more real, as well as commentary from Titanic historians and book authors (one inparticular Walter Lord "A Night To Remember" who had interviewed survivors years ago before some of them passed away). Then leads you up to the finding of the sunken ship in the 1980's. I think they covered it all. It is the most complete account in every way of anything I have seen or read on the Titanic so far. Excellent!

A&E does the BEST documentaries!
I watch this DVD at least 3 times a week. It's really three two-hour documentaries, but the first two comprise one series and the third is it's own short film.

The first disc shows you everything about the voyage of the fateful liner, from it's infancy to it's fateful sinking and the legacy left afterward.

The second disc shows a great documentary about Titanic's affect on pop culture. I bet you never knew that the Titanic was featured in a Nazi propoganda film! I consider myself to be quite the Titanic fanatic, and the second disc taught me things I honestly never knew!

I HIGHLY recommend this DVD set to anyone interested in learning about the world's most famous ocean liner, and the legacy it's left. After watching this, you won't even be able to remember who James Cameron is!