S.O.S. Titanic (Blu-ray)

The saga of the supposedly unsinkable R.M.S. Titanic has captured the world’s imagination for over a century. Its story of greed, loss and survival remains as fascinating today as it did on that fateful, moonless night in April 1912. Long before James Cameron’s blockbuster Titanic (1997), this film meticulously recreated the world’s most lavish luxury liner and its sumptuous gala atmosphere during the four-day journey leading to the disaster. Based on detailed research, this intriguing docudrama gives a rich sense of life aboard the Titanic as it explores the lives of various passengers, ranging from the most impoverished to the wealthiest, and movingly finds the courage amidst the horror and tragedy. The film follows the survivors’ lives after their traumatic rescue. The all-star cast includes David Janssen (Superdome), Cloris Leachman (Scavenger Hunt), Susan Saint James (Love at First Bite), Ian Holm (Juggernaut), Helen Mirren (The Queen), Harry Andrews (The Nightcomers) and David Warner (Morgan!), who also appeared in Cameron’s Titanic more than a decade later. Directed by William Hale (Journey to Shiloh), with a screenplay by three-time Emmy Award winner James Costigan (Love Among the Ruins) and top-notch cinematography by Christopher Challis (The Deep, Evil Under the Sun). This special edition includes both the restoration of the 102-minute theatrical cut and the 144-minute TV cut, newly remastered in HD.