Alex da Silva It's a story of the Titanic and it is clear that it influenced the director of the most famous version that goes on for 3 days. What scores points for me with this film is the focus on the wealthy owner of White Star – Sir Bruce Ismay (Ernst Fritz Fürbringer) – and his role in the tragedy. It's known as a German propaganda piece, but this isn't where the propaganda is. There is almost certainly an element of greed and stupidity as Ismay strives for glory. That's a fact, especially born out by the saving pennies on health and safety by not providing enough lifeboats. You also have to question why the Captain increased speed through the iceberg infested waters when every other ship would have slowed down. It's probably (definitely) pressure from Ismay. The propaganda comes from the First Officer Hans Nielson (Petersen) and his voice of reason throughout proceedings. He is the only German aboard the ship and the only man you can trust to know what the right thing to do is. This is despite him never actually doing anything about it as he is only obeying orders. He should have ignored orders but then that is not the message the Nazis would have wanted to put across! And the Titanic wouldn't have sunk with Nielsen at the helm.The Titanic is always a good story so the film is entertaining. I think this version is interesting and had some good scenes – the lowering of a lifeboat from the passenger point-of-view – as well as telling a complete story as it includes the inquest at the end. Of course, this is where we see the injustice from the point of view of the First Officer and it is an injustice. The final caption blaming capitalism for the sinking is, I'm afraid, true in this case. Greed and profit were paramount. As well as the lookout probably needing binoculars/glasses (standard issue on all ships at the time for anyone in the crow's nest), which incidentally, were not provided by Ismay and his great plan. Yet more cost –cutting!

Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "Titanic" is a German 1943 film, so this one is almost 75 years old. it was made in Germany, during the days of World War II, so you probably know already that the film has its fair share of propaganda too, even if most of it is not as obvious as other films from that era. "Titanic" runs for slightly over 80 minutes and gives us an insight into Nazi Germany's idea of how the ship sank and who is really responsible for it. It is actually quite ironic how they are trying to tell us that those (Jews, of course) responsible for it were not only not punished but profited from it while exploiting this catastrophe themselves. There are some prolific actors from back in the day in here, but none of them are really famous anymore today. This is a sound film and it's actually okay to listen to compared to other sound films from a couple years earlier. The industry has certainly advances fairly quickly, not only in the United States, but also in Europe.The most interesting thing about the movie is probably the background story involving writer and director Herbert Selpin. Unhappy with the impact the Propaganda Ministry had on the film, he was quite vocal about his concerns and thought on the entire political climate. The consequence was that he got arrested and most likely killed while making it look like a staged suicide. Official comments indicated anyway that he was about to be sentenced to death soon. As spectacular as all this may seem, none of the film is really spectacular or memorable. I found it a pretty boring watch for the most part and only a few scenes were interesting, certainly not enough for a film that crosses the 80-minute mark. The acting is also really mediocre. I do not recommend watching this film here. Quick little note: When this was made, James Cameron wasn't even alive yet.

wes-connors The "Titanic" disaster movie sails again; and, this time, it's a German World War II propaganda film. The responsibility for the sinking is explicitly revealed at the end; and, if you pay attention, it should come as no surprise. There are some nicely staged scenes in the film. Hans Nielsen (as Petersen) is the heroic German, who tries to warn the decadent British about the iceberg. Sybille Schmitz (as Sigrid) offers a striking, sympathetic characterization; she and Mr. Nielsen are the doomed "lovers"… well, potential lovers, anyway.It is confusing to have strong German performers portraying wartime "enemy" (mostly British) people unsympathetically (most of the time). And, It is curious that the Germans produced their version of "Titanic" during World War II. The story of a British ship in peril isn't exactly what you'd expect Nazi Germany to consider strong story material. What were they expecting… audiences to cheer the sinking? Perhaps the film's thesis doesn't work because some of those involved had the humanity to realize their government was wrong. ***** Titanic (11/10/43) Herbert Selpin, Werner Klingler ~ Hans Nielsen, Sybille Schmitz, Otto Wernicke, Ernst Fritz Furbringer

Michael_Elliott Titanic (1943) *** (out of 4) Very interesting and highly entertaining version of the disaster told through the eyes of a German director and cast. This is certainly a war propaganda film and the closing line takes a direct hit at the British but even with all of that the film still manages to entertain. It's clear the German's wanted Americans and the British to look like idiots but why on Earth would they keep the cast speaking German? Who knows. The one good guy in the film, a German officer, is the hero here. Even stranger is that the film was originally banned in Germany and wasn't shown there for over six years. Interestingly, director Herbert Selpin was arrested by the Gestapo during filming and the next day was found dead in his cell. Some say he was murdered but the Gestapo claimed suicide.