On the night of 14-15 April 1912 during her maiden voyage "Titanic" struck an iceberg and sank, losing most of her passengers and crew. Of the five epic films interpreting this tragic event, the docu-drama "A Night to Remember" (1958) is often regarded as the definitive version. This text examines the film's place in the continuing generation of "Titanic" mythology. He analyses the film, unravels its production history and reception, and compares it with the other "Titanic" films, notably James Cameron's recent blockbuster "Titanic".

Jeffrey Richards is Professor of Cultural History at Lancaster University and is General Editor of the I.B. Tauris Cinema and Society series.