The bridge
I read that a large part of this movie is filmed on board the Queen Mary. Does somebody know if the bridge in the movie is the actual bridge on the QM or a set?
No reason for this question really, just curious.
Yes-it was the QMs bridge, and most of the deck scenes were filmed on the QM. The interiors were split between the QM, and a hotel in London.
shareThat's really cool, seeing the QM'S bridge. I have not visited the QM, but I expect visitors are not allowed on the bridge.
However, for people, who know just a little bit about Titanic, it should be easy to see, that the interiors look nothing like the Titanic. Especially the first class dining room, which looks more like a ball room.
Actually, the bridge and most "topside" spaces are open to the public. The ballrooms etc below-decks are open when someone hasnt paid for a private function. Its truly a great place to spend a couple of days.
SOS, and the 1953 Titanic are sadly maligned for their lack of authenticity. They are still very good movies.
Yes they are good movies, I hope I did not give the impression that I do not think so. SOS is, however, the better one of those two.
About the QM, that is great and I hope I am able to visit her some day.
I wish they would put this movie out in it's original form on DVD. This movie used to run approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Some of the newer version removed the flashback format and cut out tons of scenes. I have all of the Titanic movies on DVD except Raise the Titanic and SOS Titanic. I made a VHS tape 20 years ago from Turner Broadcasting Station (the old Atlanta superstation), but it is full of commercials. That was probably the last time it was shown intact before it was butchered.
Thanks for your interesting input.
I do not really understand why they would cut a lot of it away. I doubt the scenes were offensive or anything.
I agree with you, it would be great to see the full version. I have an old vhs tape, which is the cut version.
I watched SOS Titanic on TV many years ago and taped it. For some very strange reason, I erased it after having seen it several times. Then a couple of weeks ago, I found the movie at a garage sale.
I seem to remember seeing a scene from a Titanic movie, that I can not find anymore. I remember very little from the scene, but it is about the crew on either the Carpathia or the Californian talking about the old being better than the new. Do you remember that scene from SOS?
I think the scene that you are recalling is from A Night to Remember in black and white. The wireless operator on the Carpathia was talking to the officer of the watch. They were talking about women (a mother and a daughter). The officer of the watch said "the older one's keener if you know what I mean." The wireless operator tells him "You're heating my blood. I think I'll turn in." Cottnam then goes back to the wireless room and receives the distress call from Titanic.
I feel sure that is the scene you are remembering. I thought that conversation was rather racy considering they were portraying 1912. Men are men and they talk about sex, but I was just a little taken aback the first time I saw it.
Like I mentioned, I have the original version that I taped off the superstation in Atlanta back on Titanic Sunday (soon after the discovery of the wreck). I need to transfer it (commercials and all to DVD). I have a professional video tape of the shorter version, but it is not as good.
Thanks for your input.
That is most likely the scene, I was thinking about. I have seen A night to remember not too long ago and thought, could this be the scene, I remember? I was not sure then, but I think you are right.
To Shrink54, thanks from me too. I did not know that. As I said, it is a long time ago I taped SOS from TV, and I am European, so I actually do not remember if it was the long version. I read on this board, that it had been cut, but obvioustly I did not pick up on, that the long version is the TV version.
They didnt "cut a lot of it away". The movie was shown in European theaters as the 109 minute version (which is now on video/DVD) The "longer" 145 minute version was intended as the TV version. You can read more about it here:
http://www.jimusnr.com/SOSTitanic.html
Thanks for the clarification. I just meant that I wished they would provide the television (145 minute version) on DVD for those of us that are serious fans of this movie.
That website you mentioned is great isn't it? I emailed the guy a while back to compliment him on all of the work he put on it.
Thanks again. :-)
Must have been the QMS bridge, fitted with a 'Kent' Clear screen, a round glass window rotated at high speed by an electric motor. Rain and Spray is flung off the glass by the rotation allowing the lookout or oow to see clearly.
shareFor the poster that mentioned raise the titanic, there is a LIONS GATE double feature dvd called Raise the titanic/Man friday. the movies are in fullscreen but at least its not on a VHS tape.
shareVery interesting information on the Bridge being the QM's,but as for the editing of the inflated running time, I have to agree with 'Shrink'. This fine film screened at the grand State Thr in Sydney Australia ~ very fitting, with its Marble staircases and Art Deco Decore. It was screened, in its intended 109min Theatrical release Version. This very well edited version basically removed what could be regarded as 'padding' and was quite necessary to maintain flow and interest for Cinema viewing of its day (remember, you often got a'double feature' for the same price back in the 70's)
The long TV version was screened on Australian Tele a couple of years following
I enjoyed both, but the long vers was mostly made up of extended scenes from the short(Thr)vers. There were a couple of interesting flashbacks, but none of these scenes were essential to the basic story. While the whole film was beautifully art directed and pleasing to look at, it tended to get bogged down
in non-essential detail, much the same way as the latter Cameron film (with its somewhat endless juvinile situations) The extra running time mainly allows TV to make more money from extra adverts! Both Theatrical and TV versions are enjoyable in there own right. It should also be added that often, editing long films can at times improve them. Too many filmakers get carried away, and at times can't see the 'forest from the trees'. Often, when films are re-issued as 'Directors cuts' its simply a money making sales gimmick. The best versions may already be out there! Well, in some cases anyway.....Enjoy. Ken R.