BRITANNIC
UK/US, 2000, 93 minutes, Colour.
Edward Atterton, Amanda Ryan, Jacqueline Bisset, Ben Daniels, John Rhys-Davies?, Bruce Payne.
Directed by Brian Trenchard- Smith.
Brian Trenchard- Smith has directed numerous action films over a period of three decades. Working in Australia he made such films as The Man From Hong Kong, Death Cheaters, Frog Dreaming, Turkey Shoot. Since the 1980s he has made films principally in the US, a string of action films or films released straight to video. Britannic is more upmarket than most of his films.
The film was a fictional account of the hospital ship Brittanic (sister ship to the Titanic) and its sinking off the Greek islands in 1916. The theory here is that Irish patriots were part of the stoking staff and an agent was put on board in the disguise of the chaplain. He is portrayed by a very charming and suave Edward Atterton – who ultimately shows that he is simply doing his German duty and tries to save his British counterpart before going to a heroic death. Amanda Ryan is the British agent, placed on the ship as the nanny for the children of Lady Lewis, an ambassador’s wife going to Greece (Jacqueline Bisset). John Rhys-Davies? is the captain and Ben Daniels his assistant. Bruce Payne is a sympathetic doctor (although Payne plays many sinister villains, for example Passenger 57).
Some of the special effects look like special effects but, on the whole, the film is quite interesting in its portrayal of the atmosphere of World War One, the U-boat stalking the Brittanic, the agent on board and her trying to find out the truth, the role of the chaplain. There is an unlikely liaison between the agent and the chaplain – but it leads to a melodramatic and romantic denouement.
1.An entertaining piece of naval action? Characters, espionage? The World War One situation? U Boats, hospital ships?
2.The credits, locations, action, the special effects, the sinking? Musical score?
3.The title, the ship as a sister to the Titanic, the story of the Titanic’s destruction, the action in wartime, parallels to the Titanic? the actual sinking of the Britannic, the reasons: torpedoes or mines?
4.The German Secret Service control, wanting to get an agent on board, their agent and his background and cover, his speaking English perfectly, his role as chaplain? No-one suspecting? The Germans and their belief that troops were aboard and, therefore, a reason for espionage?
5.The British government, Vera and her role, disbelief, the anticipation of feminism and the treatment of chauvinist remarks and attitudes. The Captain and Townsend and their behaviour? Her uncovering of the plot, going into action?
6.The members of the crew and their behaviour, the management of the crew, the Irish workers, the stokers, radio operators, the officers? The captain, his attitudes, skills in commanding the ship, facing the crises, cool, the apology to Vera? Townsend, his supporting the captain – his apologies to Vera?
7.Reynolds, his background, his role as a chaplain, his carrying out a ministry and his care for the crew, his advice? His being seen by Stoker Evans? His killing him? His swift moves and ability to cover? His letting Vera become close, the attraction, the kiss, her not knowing the truth but beginning a liaison with a chaplain? His dealing with the Lewis family, with the Captain and Townsend? Self-protection? During the Irish takeover, with the German contact? His gradually being changed, touches of despair? Discussions of dust with Dr Baker? Obeying orders? The confrontation, the shoot-out? His responsibility for sinking the ship? His being trapped, Vera and her being trapped, his wanting to save her, his going into the ship, the nobility of his death?
8.Spies and the British government placing Vera aboard under cover, the nanny, very British, her care of the children, Lady Lewis, her training, the mission, her explanations to the captain? Memories of the Titanic? Her doing her job, her saving the ship being taken over by the Irish? The shooting? Her attraction towards Reynolds, the credibility the night with him (given standards in 1916), her suspicions? The truth, her quick action, going back to save him? His saving her?
9.The English aristocracy, the ambassador and his wife and family? Lady Lewis and her character, the children, relating to Vera? Lady Lewis’ behaviour in crisis?
10.The cruel treatment of the Irish, the resentment against the British, wanting to take over the ship? The attempt?
11.The build-up to the climax, the Britannic and its mission, the war situation, bombs and torpedoes, the attack, the explosions, the reaction of the crew, saving passengers?
12.An entertainment, based on fact – but small-budget and small special effects? Effective?
