In a conference room at the National Press Club in Las Vegas, Visger stands behind a podium in a blue pinstriped suit. A scan of his brain flashes on the projector screen.
Walter Lord’s 1955 nonfiction classic A Night to Remember is the story of the well-known disaster that the luxury cruise ship the Titanic went through. It tells the tale of both heroic and ignoble passengers and crew members.
1. Titanic
When it comes to a riveting, nonfiction account of the Titanic disaster, there’s no better than Walter Lord’s 1955 book. When Lord first published it, interest in the ship’s tragedy had waned a bit, as often happens after a world war and depression ravage the lives of tens of millions of people.
Nevertheless, this remarkable book is still the best one to read on the subject. It describes how the people on board behaved in a moment of history’s most shocking and tragically beautiful display of humanity’s baseness and noblest deeds.
It’s also a fascinating look at how class divisions are given more urgency when the fate of many lives is in question. The book is so detailed that it feels like a work of fiction, but it does so without resorting to love stories and cartoonish villains. When 20th Century Fox filmed their own version of the story, they borrowed extensively from this book.
2. A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
While James Cameron’s clunky 1997 movie might come to mind first when you think of the Titanic disaster, a more measured appraisal can be found in Roy Ward Baker’s 1958 book A Night to Remember. While Lord avoids sensationalism, he does not shy away from depicting the horrors of the disaster and the many acts of heroism and decency committed by passengers and crew members during their final hours on board.
Written from interviews with 63 survivors of the Titanic’s sinking, A Night to Remember is a riveting account of the world’s most famous maritime tragedy. It explores many of the factors that contributed to the sinking, such as the ship’s design flaws and its reliance on social hierarchy to determine who would have access to lifeboats. By focusing on the human drama of the disaster, Lord’s account helps to put the Titanic in perspective and give it a greater sense of scale. This non-fiction classic is the definitive account of one of history’s most infamous catastrophes.
3. A Night to Remember by Chad Chenier
In this riveting adaptation of Walter Lord’s book, British director Roy Ward Baker depicts with sensitivity and a sense of tragedy the night the supposedly unsinkable Titanic struck an iceberg and sank. It’s a far more subtle and restrained drama than James Cameron’s blockbuster, and it still ranks among the best cinematic renderings of maritime disaster.
British singer beabadoobee and Laufey combine for a new single called “A Night To Remember.” Their collaboration finds a sweet spot between their contrasting styles, balancing alternative guitars with jazz-sounding strings.
A timeless disco and funk anthem, this song captures the feeling of euphoria that comes with an unforgettable night out. The video for the song features a young woman dancing in a dimly lit London street as double decker buses pass by. Her moves are fluid and articulate, and the sultry beat of the song only adds to its allure. It became Shalamar’s biggest hit in the UK, reaching number five on the charts.
4. A Night to Remember by Michael Levine
A Night to Remember is a 1958 British film that depicts the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic. Directed by Roy Ward Baker, the movie is known for its historical accuracy and depiction of the ship’s last hours. It also features a starring performance by Kenneth More as Second Officer Charles Lightoller, who is credited with saving many lives aboard the Titanic.
The movie focuses on the heroism of some of the passengers and crew, as well as the hubris and class divisions that were prevalent in early 20th-century society. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the Titanic, or who simply appreciates a good drama.
While James Cameron’s clunky 1997 blockbuster might come to mind when thinking about movies about the Titanic, A Night to Remember is the one that should be on everyone’s list. This timeless classic has everything a dramatic work needs: heroism, sacrifice, and grace under pressure. Then there’s the music – how often do you hear a Gershwin song played on radio or TV?