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I have been traveling abroad and missed this Film of the Week. It is a favorite of mine, as is the Walter Lord book. There is an excellent documentary on the making of the film (available on YouTube)which shows some actual survivors on the set—some were advisors to the producer, William MacQuitty. As a young child I became interested in ships and joined the Titanic Historical Society. Among other things, THS sent monetary aid to impoverished survivors and provided tombstones for unmarked Titanic graves. When word got back to the THS that Kenneth More was struggling financially because of a chronic illness we sent him funds. After his death THS sent some more monetary aid to his widow.

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Wonderful film. I loved the version of Nearer My God to Thee, had never heard it before.

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Yes -- the melody is called HORBURY, and I greatly prefer it to the usual NEARER TO THEE, though I do like the familiar melody too! That's how good HORBURY is -- beautifully haunting and perfectly fitting the words.

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One wonders how we went from a culture where audiences were assumed to be capable of watching a film about a historical event presented in an austere, factual way to one where directors felt that the same event wouldn't "appeal" to audiences unless a schmaltzy love story was awkwardly shoehorned into it. I do give James Cameron the benefit of the doubt with "Titanic," on that score, since, unfortunately, he was probably right that the film wouldn't have been successful without the love story...but boy, it's a sad state of affairs where that is the case. I think he did okay with the actual sinking (effects-wise), but the rest of that movie is largely irrelevant window-dressing.

By the by, those who enjoy or watch this film should also check out Walter Lord's excellent book of the same name, which the film is based on! A stirring read.

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It's amazing, isn't it? By the way, Kenneth More is a favorite of ours -- have you seen him in the old Father Brown series? He's perfect in the role.

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I haven't, but I've heard of the show! Another to add to the growing list you've given me. Hope everything is settling in nicely up in Canada!

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