Cultural Reflections
The American Titanic (1953) and British A Night to Remember (1958) films reflect mid-20th-century cultural values specific to the U.S. and U.K.
National Identity
The American version emphasizes a return to American values and critiques European aristocracy, while the British film focuses on solidarity and class structure.
Class Differences
A Night to Remember presents a nuanced view of British class anxiety, while Titanic largely ignores class dynamics.
Latent Content
The films, while covering the same historical event, reveal unspoken assumptions and values embedded in their production.
Historical Interpretation
Each film uses the Titanic tragedy as a canvas to project contemporary national issues and ideologies.
Methodology
The analysis suggests that popular films can offer historians insights into the cultural attitudes and social dynamics of their times.
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Citation:
Richard Howells (1999) Atlantic Crossings: Nation, Class and Identity in Titanic (1953) and A Night to Remember (1958), Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol. 19, No. 4
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