I rarely write reviews on here and normally only do so if I feel passionately about a film I have watched or if I feel another reviewer has unfairly slated a production.
I have to say having only just discovered this short film today and watched it twice I am unbelievably impressed by how well put together it is. You would think that any production focusing on the RMS Titanic would require a huge budget and cast of hundreds and a ton of special effects, however when you consider what these young film makers managed to achieve, taking into account what they had to work with, the finished article is nothing short of amazing. While some of the special effects are not outstanding they are good and the authenticity and attention to detail of the set and costumes is excellent.
I personally think that one of the biggest strengths of this film arose from one of its weaknesses. That was the decision to change the film from colour to black and white. I think this ads an excellent element of authenticity to the whole thing and as stated in the trivia probably covers for some of the constraints experienced by the film makers.
While the accents are at times a little ropey (particularly a clearly American Captain Smith), the actors portraying Marconi Operators John "Jack" Phillips and Harold Bride do so very well. I think at times it would have been easy to overact given the enormity of the situation they are portraying, but they both give calm and assured performances.
I have always been interested in the Titanic story and while some may criticize the actions of Phillips and Bride and the part they may have played in the sinking (ice warnings not being sent to the bridge, rebuffing Californian), its impossible to tell the story without acknowledging them in some way. I'm sure neither of them ever imagined that one day the Titanic story would be told through their eyes.
