Titanic Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Titanic Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 21, 2017

It’s a story told time and again, but only once by the Nazis. 1943’s “Titanic” is a German production personally overseen by Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Minister of Propaganda, who sought to undermine faith in the British Empire by detailing one of the most famous disasters in world history, only here the focus is not on loss of life, but English greed. More of a curiosity than a true extravaganza, “Titanic” doesn’t come close to other dramatic interpretations of the incident, but it has a specific point of view that’s perhaps interesting for students of history and German cinema.

The tale of the Titanic, it’s glory and demise, no longer holds any surprise. What’s different about this interpretation of events is a focus on financial manipulations, with the opening act devoted to the discussion of stock prices, with White Star Line executives conspiring to make a secret fortune off the majesty of Titanic. The expected soon follows, highlighting crew interaction and guest melodrama, leading to the point of impact. German performers are capable but flavorless, and the subplots aren’t especially commanding, preserving the chill of propaganda.

Titanic Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.36:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a 2004 restoration for "Titanic," which lacks a certain rejuvenated definition a more modern makeover could provide. It's not a noisy viewing experience, but it looks slightly digitized at times, piecing together different sources into one filmic flow. Changes in quality are spotted, an understandable reality with an obscure title like this. Clarity has its moments, providing compelling detail to best appreciate sets and ship interiors, and facial particulars carry texture. Delineation is adequate, with some mild brightening giving evening panic a milkier quality. Scratches remain, along with speckling.

Titanic Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM track also wrestles with age-related issues, offering sharper highs that are often hard on the ears, requiring some volume riding when chaos breaks out on the sinking ship. Scoring is unremarkable but present, more functional than dramatic, without much definition and some warbling issues. Sound effects are basic. Hiss and pops are detected.

Titanic Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features author Gaylyn Studlar.

• Newsreel (9:53, SD) showcases the actual launch of the Titanic, highlighting its immense size and the bustle of activity before its departure, showcasing the excitement of the day.

• "Aboard the Olympic" (16:15, SD) visits another jewel from the White Star Line fleet via an extended commercial, displaying all the amenities and opportunities to indulge during the long journey across the Atlantic.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:27, SD) is included.

Titanic Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Titanic" goes through the motions to reach its final message of condemnation, working to make the British seem cowardly and selfish, killing innocents without a second thought. This nationalist approach keeps "Titanic" passably bizarre, and filmmaking technique is open for inspection, but the movie itself is a drag, failing to conjure the requisite horror of a famous catastrophe.