Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

A Night to Remember Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 14, 2022

Roy Ward Baker's "A Night to Remember" (1958) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new program with camera assistant Mike Fox; exclusive new program with critic Kim Newman; exclusive new audio commentary with film historian and author Bruce Hallenbeck; archival production and promotional materials; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The Unsinkable

There is a world of difference between James Cameron’s mega-blockbuster Titanic and Roy Ward Baker’s A Night to Remember. The former is a lavish, breathtakingly beautiful melodrama that rivals the greatest Hollywood epics. It tells a story about a great tragedy, but it also tells a story about two people madly in love with each other. The latter is a rawer, grittier, completely free of melodrama film without stars. It chronicles the same tragedy Cameron’s film does, but it relies on facts to do so rather than special effects.

A Night to Remember begins with a short prologue showing the launch of Titanic on her maiden voyage in April 1912. The archival footage used in the prologue, however, is from the launch of RMS Queen Elizabeth in September 1938. (Actual archival footage from the launch of Titanic does not exist). Nevertheless, the raw visuals certainly give a good idea about the atmosphere these ceremonies once created.

Next, there are a series of quick looks at various final preparations. Then a large number of colorful characters are introduced, some incredibly wealthy and demanding attention, others less fortunate and easier to please; key crew members are also identified.

The majority of the crucial events are seen through the eyes of Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller (Kenneth More, The Deep Blue Sea, The 39 Steps). Naturally, his character transformation is also the most complete and convincing one. The important roles of Captain Smith (Laurence Naismith, Jason and the Argonauts), First Officer William Murdoch (Richard Leech, Ice Cold in Alex), Wireless Operator John 'Jack' Phillips (Kenneth Griffith, Murder Can Be Deadly) and Assistant Wireless Operator Harold Bride (David McCallum, The Great Escape) are well documented, but their actions are not followed closely.

The chaos that precedes the sinking of Titanic is very convincing. On one hand, there are the bolder passengers who give instructions to their loved ones and then try to follow orders; many understand well that they have little time left to live. On the other hand, there are the frightened and angry passengers who want to get on the last remaining boats. The two groups eventually clash, while the sailors also try to follow the orders of their superiors.

The most disturbing visuals, however, come after Titanic sinks. The people in the boats can hear the screams of those who are slowly dying in the freezing water but cannot help. Then comes the heavy silence, broken occasionally by sobs and tears.

A Night to Remember is based on the book by American writer Walter Lord, who spent years researching the events that led to the Titanic disaster. Unsurprisingly, the film often feels like an important documentary in which facts and details are certainly given proper attention.

Some of the key sequences in A Night to Remember were filmed at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire. There, the production team used blueprints from Titanic to accurately recreate important sets. Joseph Boxhall, the ship’s fourth officer, and ex-Cunard Commodore Harry Grattidge also served as technical advisers during the production process.

Note: In 1959, A Night to Remember won Golden Globe Award for Best English Language Foreign Film.

A Night to Remember Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.67:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, A Night to Remember arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The release introduces ITV Studios' 2K restoration of A Night to Remember which first appeared on Blu-ray in 2012. You can see our reviews of ITV DVD's Region-B release here, and Criterion's Region-A release here.

A decade later, this 2K restoration still looks marvelous. In fact, now that I have the ability to upscale to 4K and have just finished viewing it upscaled to 4K, I am even more enthusiastic about it because on my system the quality of the visuals was seriously impressive. If ITV Studios or another party revisit the film and produce a 4K restoration, I doubt there will be any meaningful improvements. I could recognize a few areas where minor adjustments could be made -- for example, the surface of the visuals could reveal marginally healthier grain, plus there are a few white flecks that could be picked up as well -- but this is cosmetic work. The basics are already very solid, so I am extremely happy with the way the film looks now. What about the grading? Is there any room for improvement there? I don't think so. The grayscale is outstanding and the dynamic range of the visuals is already very pleasing. Yes, an HDR grade could expand the dynamic range of the visuals, but this would be another cosmetic improvement. Image stability is excellent, but you need to keep in mind that some archival footage is used in the film and its quality varies a bit. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

A Night to Remember Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The restored Mono track is very good. Obviously, this should not be surprising since it is the same audio that was restored at ITV Studios. Clarity and sharpness are particularly impressive. Also, the upper register is very healthy.

A Night to Remember Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "A Shoot to Remember" - in this exclusive new program, camera assistant Mike Fox recalls his grueling schedule during the production of A Night to Remember and explains how Roy Ward Baker and his art director used original blueprints to reconstruct large areas from Titanic at Pinewood. Also, there are some very interesting comments about the camera -- apparently at the time the very best that can be used -- that the filming crew worked with and the technicians that did various minor but crucial work. In English, not subtitled. (26 min).

• The Making of "A Night to Remember" - in this archival documentary, directed by Ray Johnson, producer William MacQuitty and writer Walter Lord discuss Roy Ward Baker's film, its production history, and the fate of Titanic. Mr. Lord's comments about his research work are particularly interesting. In English, not subtitled. (58 min).

• Film Historian Jo Botting on "A Night to Remember" - in this exclusive new program, film historian Jo Botting discusses the conception and production of A Night to Remember, Walter Ford's novel, and the manner in which particular true events are recreated in the film. In English, not subtitled. (17 min, 1080p).

• Film Critic Matthew Sweet on "A Night to Remember" - in this exclusive new program, critic Matthew Sweet explains why he thinks A Night to Remember is the best film about Titanic and its fate. Mr. Sweet also discusses some of the particular qualities of the film that make it special. In English, not subtitled. (21 min, 1080p).

• Film Critic Kim Newman on "A Night to Remember" - in this exclusive new program, critic Kim Newman discusses the massive ripple effects that the sinking of the Titanic produced and some of the very early films that materialized because of them. Mr. Newman also discusses the conception of A Night to Remember. In English, not subtitled. (17 min, 1080p).

• Commentary - in this exclusive new audio commentary, film historian and author Bruce Hallenbeck (The Hammer Vampire: British Cult Cinema ), discusses in great detail the production of A Night to Remember, the type of sets that were created for it, the renaming of several historical figures, the casting choices, the film's lasting appeal and reputation as the best Titanic film, etc.

• Trailer One - presented here is a vintage trailer for A Night to Remember. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Trailer Two - presented here is another vintage trailer for A Night to Remember. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Original Costume Notes - presented here are original costume notes with text descriptions. With music. (1 min).

• Press and Publicity Gallery - presented here is a collection of vintage press and promotional materials for A Night to Remember. With music. (1 min).

• Behind the Scenes Gallery - presented here is a collection of stills from the production of A Night to Remember, with text descriptions. With music. (4 min).

• Production Gallery - presented here are additional stills from the production of A Night to Remember, with text descriptions. With music. (4 min).

A Night to Remember Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Roy Ward Baker's A Night to Remember is a masterpiece you have to have in your collection. A decade ago, ITV Studios beautifully restored it in 2K and there are already multiple Blu-ray releases that introduce the restoration in different territories. Via Vision Entertainment's Blu-ray release puts the restoration back on the Australian market with a nice selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features. One of these new features is with camera assistant Mike Fox, who shares very interesting information about his work at Pinewood and with Baker during the production of A Night to Remember. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.