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Titanic (1953)


Commentaries on this disc:

Commentary 1: Film critic Richard Shickel Rating:7.0/10 (2 votes) [graph]Login to vote or review
Reviewed by petershelleyau on April 6th, 2012:Find all reviews by petershelleyau
This is one of Schickel's better efforts, partially because he is actually repeatedly funny here, which is perhaps a surprise given the subject matter. There are some pauses but he is scene-specific, as well as commenting on producer, director, cast, performance, FX, characters, genre conventions, historical accuracy, other movies about The Titanic and the symbolism of the disaster. He also draws attention to what he considers are the film's weaknesses eg lack of suspense, Hollywood fictional melodrama, though also mentions its Oscar wins.
Commentary 2: Actors Robert Wagner and Audrey Dalton, and director of photography Michael Lonza Rating:5.0/10 (2 votes) [graph]Login to vote or review
Reviewed by am1001 on June 6th, 2004:Find all reviews by am1001
Weak commentary. Not very interesting.
Reviewed by petershelleyau on April 8th, 2012:Find all reviews by petershelleyau
Sylvia Stoddard is also on this commentary with Lonzo, Dalton and Wagner all recorded separately, though there is the occasional conceit of someone saying "let me interrupt you" when you know full well that the people are not together. The comments are only sometimes scene-specific. Lonzo probably speaks the most here and while sometimes he describes casting as if he thinks you know nothing of the actors, his explaination of the FX and photography is interesting if occasionally too technical for me. He also comments on the sets, and the writer/producer. Stoddard comments on historical accuracy as well as casting, and becomes more vocal once the iceberg hits. Wagner's comments are few and he can be repetitive, but his mention of on-set gags played on co-star Dalton are also mentioned by her. She also comments on her co-stars, the film in the context of her career, costumes, and the director. Dalton is also funny, as is Stoddard who is as entertaining as always. Also check out Stoddard's audio essay which is another special feature on the DVD.