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
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