German Film: Titantic (German Version; 1943)

Movie screening || In German with English subtitles || All interested are welcome
 

Titantic (German Version) || 1943
 

It is almost unbelievable that Germany could produce such a lavish and expensive film—about 300 million in today's dollars—in the middle of the war.  For Goebbel's propaganda purposes? Yes and no—more anti-capitalist than pro-Nazi/Germany.  The intended jewel of German film making unintendedly became more of a metaphor for the Nazi's crumbling brutal regime. It was quickly pulled from the screens. Germans were not to be exposed to seeing the panic on the great liner as it foundered (Germans, especially those in urban areas, had more visible frequent reasons to panic by 1943).  The film eventually had its premiere in November 1943 in occupied Paris.

In 1950 the Allies banned the re-release in their sectors because of its anti-British view. It was freely available in the Soviet zone. Movie maven, Stalin, probably loved this capitalist-bashing film. The film was "lost" until its restoration in 2005.

Many scenes served as models for the more current remake versions.

An historic footnote:  The SS Cap Arcona served as "Titanic" in the film—on May 3, carrying prisoners from concentration camps she was sunk by the RAF near Luebeck and about 5,000 drowned.