A Night to Remember Blu-ray Review
Imprint #135
Score: 82
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
A Night to Remember on Blu-ray is a restored masterpiece with exclusive extras, highly recommended for its stellar true story adaptation and engaging features.
Disc Release Date
Video: 73
The 2K restoration of 'A Night to Remember' on Blu-ray impressively maintains its 1080p quality, with sharp details and dynamic grayscale, despite intermittent filtering issues and variable artifacts that hint at DVD-level flaws.
Audio: 93
The Blu-ray of 'A Night to Remember' delivers an impressive English LPCM 2.0 Mono track, restored for remarkable clarity and sharpness, maintaining high-quality vintage sound with no fidelity loss in high frequencies, making it a stellar example of audio preservation on this format.
Extra: 76
A Night to Remember's Blu-ray extras provide a comprehensive dive into its production with insights from key contributors like camera assistant Mike Fox and historians, compelling discussions by critics, and detailed audio commentary, complemented by rich visual galleries showcasing promotional and behind-the-scenes materials.
Movie: 86
Roy Ward Baker's *A Night to Remember* achieves a raw, documentary-like portrayal of the Titanic disaster, emphasizing factual detail over melodrama. Its gritty exploration of class division and minimalistic sound design enhance the haunting realism of the tragedy, cementing its status as a definitive cinematic account.
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Video: 73
The Blu-ray video presentation of "A Night to Remember" arrives with a 1.67:1 aspect ratio and a 1080p transfer utilizing MPEG-4 AVC. It presents ITV Studios' 2K restoration, initially released in 2012, and the visuals reaffirm the restoration's marvelous execution. While some minor surface adjustments could enhance grain health and clean up white flecks, the fundamental quality remains robust. The grayscale is exceptional, providing a satisfying dynamic range that could only see cosmetic improvement from HDR grading. Image stability is excellent, although variations in archival footage quality must be acknowledged.
However, this release exhibits inconsistencies that compromise its potential. While sharpness and resolution offer impressive detail capture, such as the stitches on costumes, issues like filtering-induced harsh gradients and mosquito noise in grain are prevalent. Smearing and waxy textures are further exacerbated, particularly in distant shots. Variability persists across scenes, occasionally reducing visual fidelity to DVD-like chunks, though some moments hint at a superior presentation. The print shows age-related scratches and dirt, manageable but evident against the quality of primary footage.
Overall, this Region-Free Blu-ray reflects both the strengths and limitations inherent in its decade-old restoration. It offers an engaging audiovisual experience facilitated by outstanding grayscale and dynamic range, though marred intermittently by technical inconsistencies. While particular improvements may be conceivable, the foundational presentation remains largely admirable for its historical context.
Audio: 93
The Blu-ray audio presentation of "A Night to Remember" is delivered through an English LPCM 2.0 track, meticulously restored to highlight the film's classic auditory charm. Preservation efforts have clearly paid off, as the track exemplifies outstanding clarity and sharpness. The audio maintains a superlative level of vintage sound quality, capturing the era's essence while ensuring pristine dialogue delivery. Optional English SDH subtitles complement the experience, enhancing accessibility.
The mono track restoration, undertaken by ITV Studios, is particularly commendable. The fidelity remains uncompromised even at high frequencies, showcasing a robust upper register that enriches the overall listening experience. The audio detail is remarkably crisp for the film's age, indicating a significant level of care in the preservation process. This meticulous restoration allows fans and new viewers alike to appreciate the film’s rich soundscape in modern home entertainment environments.
In summary, the audio track on this Blu-ray release stands as a testament to quality preservation. By maintaining outstanding audio detail and consistently clear dialogue throughout, it offers a premium viewing experience that underscores the potential of classic films on contemporary formats. While some might lament a similar lack of restoration effort on the visual elements, the audio remains faultless, serving as an excellent example of how vintage films can continue to impress and engage through high-quality sound presentations.
Extras: 76
The Blu-ray extras for "A Night to Remember" provide a comprehensive and immersive exploration of this classic film, offering valuable insights into its production and historical context. With contributions from industry veterans like camera assistant Mike Fox and producers William MacQuitty and Walter Lord, the extras delve into the intricate details of the film's creation, from the use of original Titanic blueprints for set construction to the discussions of research methods and artistic choices. The participation of film historians and critics such as Jo Botting, Matthew Sweet, and Kim Newman adds critical depth, analyzing the film's unique storytelling and its impact on cinematic history. The inclusion of vintage trailers, galleries, and costume notes serves as a fascinating time capsule, enhancing the viewer's appreciation for the film. Overall, these features enrich the viewing experience by illuminating the remarkable effort behind this enduring portrayal of Titanic's fate.
Extras included in this disc:
- A Shoot to Remember: Mike Fox discusses production challenges and technical details.
- The Making of A Night to Remember: Documentary with insights from MacQuitty and Lord.
- Film Historian Jo Botting on A Night to Remember: Analysis of the film's conception.
- Film Critic Matthew Sweet on A Night to Remember: Discussion of the film's standout qualities.
- Film Critic Kim Newman on A Night to Remember: Examination of Titanic's impact and early films.
- Commentary: Bruce Hallenbeck discusses production details and historical accuracy.
- Trailer One: Vintage teaser for the film.
- Trailer Two: Additional vintage trailer.
- Original Costume Notes: Features descriptive text with music.
- Press and Publicity Gallery: Vintage promotional materials with music.
- Behind the Scenes Gallery: Stills from production with text descriptions.
- Production Gallery: Additional production stills with descriptions.
Movie: 86
A Night to Remember, directed by Roy Ward Baker and based on Walter Lord's meticulously researched book, delivers a factual recounting of the Titanic disaster without the embellishments often seen in Hollywood productions. This 1958 film stands distinct from its successors by eschewing melodrama, opting for a raw, documentary-like approach that faithfully captures the tragic impact of the maritime catastrophe. The film leverages archival footage—though historically of RMS Queen Elizabeth—for its prologue, setting an authentic atmosphere. The depiction of class disparity on board is subtly conveyed through minimalistic character development, highlighting the inherent societal divides and their tragic implications during the disaster.
The narrative largely unfolds through the experiences of Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller, portrayed by Kenneth More, whose character arc is compelling and deeply human. Other key historical figures such as Captain Smith and First Officer Murdoch are depicted with precision but are less focal in comparison to Lightoller's perspective. The film compellingly presents the chaos and fear aboard, efficiently utilizing sound design to convey the escalating panic and inevitable tragedy. The sparse orchestration allows chilling soundscapes of screams and silence to guide viewers through the emotional and physical devastation faced by those on board.
Additionally, the film explores the larger maritime environment by depicting the struggles of nearby vessels, adding layers of frustration and intensified tension due to communication errors. While some may find its structural shifts between ships and captains disorienting, this technique effectively amplifies the sense of enveloping confusion and the tragic consequences of human misjudgments. Through its honest portrayal of factual events and immersive narrative technique, A Night to Remember serves not only as a rich historical document but also as a poignant reminder of the social inequities and failures that contributed to one of history's greatest maritime tragedies.
Total: 82
Roy Ward Baker's "A Night to Remember" is a cinematic gem that belongs in every film aficionado's collection. The film, meticulously restored a decade ago in 2K by ITV Studios, continues to capture audiences worldwide through various Blu-ray releases. The latest from Via Vision Entertainment reintroduces this painstaking restoration to the Australian market, complete with an impressive array of new and archival bonus features. Notably, the release includes an insightful feature with camera assistant Mike Fox, who sheds light on his experiences at Pinewood Studios and working alongside Baker, enriching the viewer's appreciation for this classic.
As a retelling of a catastrophic event with universal significance, "A Night to Remember" deftly captures the essence of one of history’s most tragic maritime disasters. The film's narrative precision and impactful storytelling elevate it to one of the most exemplary real-life story adaptations ever made. This release not only enhances the visual and emotional impact of the original film but also provides a comprehensive view into its production, offering viewers both entertainment and education.
In conclusion, Via Vision Entertainment’s Blu-ray edition of "A Night to Remember" is an exceptional offering that marries technical prowess with compelling narrative. Its thoughtful restoration and curated bonus features make it an essential addition to any collection, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers to Roy Ward Baker's masterpiece. Without reservation, this release comes VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 100
Yes, an HDR grade could expand the dynamic range of the visuals, but this would be another cosmetic improvement....
Audio: 100
Obviously, this should not be surprising since it is the same audio that was restored at ITV Studios....
Extras: 80
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,...
Movie: 100
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....
Total: 90
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....
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 60
Imprint shows what’s a clearly new scan based on the impressive resolution and resulting sharpness....
Audio: 100
Gorgeous audio detail sustains high quality vintage sound, superlatively crisp for its age, and a premium example of how great classics can perform on this format....
Extras: 80
A slew of visual galleries finish up, but one of them includes the original costume notes, which is a fantastic look behind-the-scenes....
Movie: 80
If there’s a fault in A Night to Remember’s structure, it’s the inability to settle down, develop locations and ships, creating confusion as edits bounce between captains....
Total: 80
A stellar retelling of a universally applicable disaster, A Night to Remember ranks among the best true story adaptations ever made....
Director: Roy Ward Baker
Actors: Kenneth More, Ronald Allen, Robert Ayres
PlotIn April 1912, the grand ocean liner sets sail from Southampton to New York, boasting luxury accommodations and modern safety features. Onboard, passengers from various walks of life experience the opulence and comfort of the ship. Crew members diligently perform their duties, while Captain Edward J. Smith oversees the voyage. Meanwhile, Chief Officer Wilde and Second Officer Lightoller lead the crew in maintaining order. However, despite several ice warnings received during the journey, the ship maintains its speed.
One fateful night, a lookout spots an iceberg directly ahead. Despite efforts to avoid it, the ship strikes the iceberg, causing catastrophic damage. As the reality of the situation becomes clear, the crew and passengers face growing desperation. The crew works tirelessly to launch lifeboats, but there are not enough for everyone. Amidst the chaos, acts of bravery and selflessness emerge, highlighting the human spirit in times of crisis.
Writers: Walter Lord, Eric Ambler
Release Date: 16 Dec 1958
Runtime: 123 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English, Russian, Polish, German, Italian