Sinking Feelings: Representing and Resisting the Titanic Disaster in Britain, 1914-ca.1960

The article explores the representation and resistance to the Titanic disaster in Britain between 1914 and the 1950s, highlighting the cultural, political, and industrial factors shaping its memory. Despite the public’s enduring interest, portrayals of the Titanic were resisted by shipping companies, the press, and the government, particularly in visual and broadcast media. This resistance stemmed from concerns about national prestige, the shipping industry’s reputation, and the ethical implications of dramatizing the tragedy.

While written accounts were widely accepted, fictionalized or dramatized portrayals in films and radio often faced opposition. Industrial interests, especially White Star Line and Harland & Wolff, argued that such representations could harm British maritime prestige and distress survivors and victims’ families. Media like film and radio, due to their realism and potential sensationalism, faced greater scrutiny.

The article highlights notable controversies, such as resistance to Alfred Hitchcock’s proposed Titanic film in 1938 and opposition to the 1943 Nazi propaganda film. Over time, as the disaster transitioned from memory to history, resistance waned, and factual portrayals gained acceptance. The Titanic’s story became a lens through which themes of heroism, modernity, and national identity were explored, influencing Britain’s cultural memory of the early 20th century.