Customer Reviews

Britannic [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Riding on the wave of Titanic-fever that followed the release of the hugely popular James Cameron movie TITANIC this production focuses on the lesser-known but equally ill fated sister ship of the famous liner - the Britannic.
Ostensibly posing as a hospital ship in World War I transporting medical supplies across the Mediterranean, the Britannic is actually carrying a large cache of weapons, a clear violation of the rules of war that threatens both the safety of genuine hospital ships but also gives justification for this ships destruction by German agents.
Suspecting this to be the case Germany has planted a top German agent on board as a chaplain, who with the aid of Irish insurgents already on board as members of the crew. Not to be outdone however, British Intelligence somehow (it is never fully explained how) have caught wind of the German plot ands planted a female agent on board (despite having just graduated from spy school - she was apparently the only British agent available for the operation). No matter that the British agent is impossibly beautiful (as played by the stunning Amanda Ryan) and therefore unlikely to blend into the background (surely an essential characteristic for an agent) but her character is not only a survivor of the original Titanic sinking, but also the one passenger who falls in love with the German agent - oh the irony.
Nevertheless one charge that can never be leveled at "Britannic" is (despite its laughable claim to tell the 'untold story' of the liner), it is certainly never boring or lacking in thrills. Its special effects may look more fitting for a high production value video game, and some of the veteran actors on the cast list guilty of incredible overacting, but this is all part of the charm of this movie. Taken for what it is, you cannot help but enjoy the movie and with a cast that includes Jacqueline Bisset and the ever amazing John Rhys-Davies, it's all good hokum fun.
Leave the history books on the bookshelf and sit back for the escapist drama which is 2000's BRITANNIC

I have spent literally hundreds of hours researching the Britannic for a book that I'm working on, and as soon as I heard that they were making a film about her I was instantly curious. I turned on the television to see it one night without expecting very much, mainly because nobody has any idea what really sank the ship in the first place. However I was bowled over by the great story, character development and interesting take on what may have happened to her. As far as I'm concerned this movie is as good as it could have been considering the historical evidence, and the possiblity of a German spy on board was indeed an interesting touch. Although for the record, the famed torpedo incident didn't take place, and neither did the gunfight on board. My only real complaint is the casting of John Ryes-Davis as Captain Bartlett. Although a great actor, he does not resemble the real Captain Bartlett in any way. Still, a great view!

If you thought Titanic had too much romance and wanted lots of gunfights, then Britanic is what you are looking for. Mixing a blend of Titanic with Western like gunfights and Indiana Jonesesqe escapes, Britanic comes off as one of the best TV Movies I've seen in years. The plot centers around a maid who works for a familly sailing on the HMS Britanic. After a flashback sequence involving the Titanic, we learn that she survived the Titanic. How this relates to the film dosent really matter, but is obviously nessicary. Later some deep, dark, secrets are revealed, but saying them would ruin the suprise (Although we know what one charachter is 3 minutes after we meet him). The highlights for me were definitly the gunfights and the exciting "Escape the sinking ship" sequence. Definitly worth a look.

The Good:
Lots of action, likable charachters, Good CGI

The bad:
Obvious copy of Titanic

And the Ugly:
Nothing really

Inspired by the 1998 "Titanic", this is the story of the mysterious sinking of Titanic's Sister Ship Britannic. Starring Amanda Ryan, and featuring John Rhys-Davies (Salah in the Indiana Jones films), the cast is surprisingly good in the way only mid-level British actors can be, turning in workmanlike performances that nearly make you forget this is not a big-budget blockbuster. If you liked Titanic, then see this movie.

I enjoyed this film although it is not in the same category as the story we enjoyed in the tragic events shown in the film Titanic. It is debateable just how accurate the facts are in this movie. What really happened on Titanic's sister ship leaves much to the imagination but nevertheless it is a very moving story.

The reason I watched this movie when it first aired on TV was because I was getting over a phase where I was interested in everything related to the Titanic tragedy. This movie of the equally tragic demise of Titanic's sister ship ranks in my to TV movies of the last few years. The cast were all perfect in their parts. Amanda Ryan is quite believable as Vera Campbell, John Rhys-Davies (one of my favorite actors ever!!) adds a special brand of comedy as the Brittanic's captain and the two kids are adorable!! There are a few moments that are some what unacceptable for younger children, including a couple of bullets and some blood-shed. However, the drama and angst is well balanced out by some comedy and adventure moments. The suspense is gripping, and all the good points overshadow the less-than-perfect special effects. If you liked "Titanic", this is a must-see movie!!

"Britannic" is well worth watching. The pace keeps moving swiftly, and the action is compelling. The acting is impressive, especially that of Edward Atterton. Atterton plays a German spy on the ship. His mission is to either take control of the vessel or sink it. With a skillful performance, he causes the viewer to really believe that he will accomplish his mission at all costs. But in the end, he is only doing his duty. As for the movie's other qualities, the computer graphics appear cartoonish at first, but they end up adding creative and helpful scenes to the storyline. For example, the aerial shot of the German submarine's torpedoes heading towards the Britannic is quite stunning. All in all, an entertaining story speculating on the demise of the Britannic. Enjoy.

When i saw this film on TV I couldnt wait for it to be released on DVD. Turns out it surfaced sooner than i expected. The stunning British actress Amanda Ryan glows in this well done story about the doomed Britannic. All Amanda Ryan fans will love this DVD. Without going into great detail, i was very pleased with the entire product. Dolby 5.1 digital sound is sweet - the extras are many - It has a great image gallery and picture quality of the movie is wonderfull. I highly recommend it

I've read all the reviews and just had to add another one. I'm thrilled that somebody finally made a movie about this forgotten shipwreck. The Britannic was the third of three Olympic Class ships, (Olympic, Titanic and Britannic). Everybody knows the Titanic's story as it's been told and retold and often added to over the years, but what about her sisters? The Olympic had a long career and was retired and scrapped, though the Britannic met a similar fate as Titanic, as described in this TV adaption.

True, the British were at war and the Britannic was serving as a hospital ship, but what caused her rapid sinking is unknown. A Titanic survivor (Violet Jessop) was onboard during the sinking as a nurse on Britannic. And, the casualties of the Britannic were accurately depicted here as seen from the lifeboats, as another lifeboat filled with passengers was chopped to bits by the propellers, a sad fact. So some facts were twisted and turned around, it's a movie, not a National Geographic Documentry.

This is an excellent movie for anybody with a passion for excitement, drama, mystery and shipwrecks. I thought the story was plausable and it kept me interested. The torpedo scene was merely added, my guess as a hint of things to come, and the sinking itself was excellent. The water did look fake but to see this beautiful ship go to her grave was awsome, never before seen in anything more than paintings.

Nobody complained about Cameron's made up love story in 1997's Titanic, or the way he dropped the ball with Molly Brown in the lifeboat, they were movies! A love story was needed, as in the 1953 Titanic with Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwyck, and it was very suitable in my opinion to incorporate spying and sabotage into this movie . . . it doesn't mean we have to accept it as fact, it's entertainment, pure and simple.

So I give this one of a kind movie five stars. For it's casting, it's graphics, it's story and most of all, for finally giving this forgotten maiden of the sea her moment on the silver screen.

I bought this movie for my grandson. He really gets into the old ships, and this movie did not disappoint him.