Titanic (1943)

The story of the sinking of the British luxury liner Titanic in 1912.

Director:

Herbert Selpin

Writers:

Herbert Selpin, Walter Zerlett-Olfenius,

Stars:

Sybille Schmitz, Hans Nielsen, Kirsten Heiberg

Cast

Cast overview:
Sybille Schmitz	...	Sigrid Olinsky
Hans Nielsen	...	1st Officer Petersen
Kirsten Heiberg	...	Gloria
Ernst Fritz Fürbringer	...	Sir Bruce Ismay (as E.F. Fürbringer)
Karl Schönböck	...	John Jacob Astor
Charlotte Thiele	...	Lady Astor
Otto Wernicke	...	Captain Edward J. Smith
Franz Schafheitlin	...	Hunderson
Sepp Rist	...	Jan
Claude Farell	...	Manniküre Hedi (as Monika Burg)

Storyline

Building the Titanic has been a huge financial effort, and White Star Line president Ismay wants her maiden voyage to hit the headlines. He urges Captain Smith to make the fastest possible crossing to New York. When iceberg warnings come in, the captain must ask himself if he is willing to risk the safety of his ship just to please Ismay.

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Plot Keywords:

captain | titanic | iceberg | con artist | transatlantic trip | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

7 February 1950 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Gibel Titanika

Filming Locations:

Gdynia, Pomorskie, Poland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tobis Filmkunst

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 80 min (censored)

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Tobis-Klangfilm)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although most propaganda movies are banned in Germany, sometimes this movie is broadcast on TV, albeit with the strongest propaganda scenes deleted.

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Goofs

When Petersen is taking the little girl on his arms from the ship, he's wearing his complete uniform, including the jacket. But when he's swimming in the sea the the lifesaving boat and has the girl on his shoulders, he's not wearing the jacket, until the court scene.

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Quotes

John Jacob Astor: [Lord Douglas is appealing to him for a loan] Those to whom you owe millions can't let you go under.
Lord Douglas: All the more reason for you to lend me the money.
John Jacob Astor: I don't lend money. I'd rather give it away. But since I'm no great apostle of charity, I don't give it away either.

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Connections

Edited into A Night to Remember (1958)

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Soundtracks

"God Save The Queen"
(uncredited)
(British national anthem)
played at the first dinner

User Reviews

Titanic drama executed with style

This German Titanic of a film is a definite "must" see for anyone interested in the fascinating and tragic story. Almost unbelievable that Germany could produce such lavish and expensive film in the middle of the war. TITANIC is a well executed film with excellent acting skills from the actors involved. Director Herbert Selpin and Werner Klingler made an European classic with this film vehicle. Forced to include some unnecessary propaganda, which the film could do without, this does not overshadow the artistic merits of the film. The special effects are so so, but the filmmakers do make you believe you are on-board a sinking ship. Everybody on the screen pulled off a gripping and believable story in glorious black and white. See it if you have a chance, The European film version of The Titanic story, not to be missed.