Figure 1.--The NAZI 'Titanic' was strongly backed by Propganda Minister and film buff Dr. Josef Goebbels as anti-British propaganda. A disaster film seemed perfect to highlight what was happening to Britain. And the plot was written to blame that disaster on Britain's capitalist system. Unfortunately for Goebbels, by the time the film was completed, it was NAZI Germany not Britain that faced natiionl disaster. The German people hardly needed to go to the movies to see a disaster depicted, it was happening all around them in real life. As a result, Goebbels did not perrmit his hugely expensive creation to be shown in the Reich.

The NAZI version of the Titanic disaster is the least known, even though it is the most expensive production of all the different versions until the 1997 blockbuster. NAZI Propaganda Minister, Dr. Josef Goebbels, was a film buff. He and Hitler would watch movies together, including Hollywood films like 'Gone with the wind' (1939). After the victory in France (1940), Britain much to the Führer's surprise refused to ask for terms. For about a year, Britain and the Dominions were the only countries still at War with the NAZIs. (Except for occupied countries.) So Goebbels wanted to do his part in the war effort and use Germany's sizable film industry to make anti-British propaganda. So the idea of a disaster film seemed just right, prefect not only for attacking British capitalism, but also the idea of the impending national disaster awaiting Britain because of Churchill's leadership. Goebbels had learned as a result of public reaction to 'Der ewige Jude' (1940) and 'Jude Süss' (1940) that the most effective propaganda was delivered disguised as entertainment. And the better the entertainment value, the more effective the propaganda. As far as we know there was no anti-Semetic propaganda, although we have only viewed the film with English subtitles and are not poitive about the actual German sound tract. There is a scene about Gypsies. Goebbelks because he was such a film enthusiast, wanted a high-quality production. The result is a fascinating bit of movie history. The NAZI 'Titanic' was one of the most costly films made in Europe up to that time and with the possible exception of 'Kolberg' (1945), the most expensive film made in NAZI Germany or for that matter Europe as a whole up to that time. It was produced by UFA, the largest German film studio. Goebbels chose Herbert Selpin, one of Germany's most popular directors. Selpin was known for making action films. It was Selpin's demands that made the film so expensive--including obtaining an ocean liner for the shooting. Goebbels supported him all the way. The SS Cap Arcona which was being used by the military was put at his disposal. (The SS at the end of the War would use the hip to kill Jews.) The theme of the NAZI 'Titanic' was that the disaster was caused by the White Star Line and Bruce Ismay in particular. It was meant to be a condemnation of Britain and American capitalism as well as Britain's war leadership. Hollywood is none to careful about historical accuracy. German screen writers during the NAZI era were free to invent the plot without any concern about historical accuracy at all. Although completed in 1943, it was never show in the Reich. When Goebbels viewed it, he was aghast. Technically thanks to Selpin it was a fine production. He immediately realized, however, that the plot that he had enthusiastically championed was now political dynamite. By the time the NAZI 'Titanic was finished (and the director dead in a NAZI jail cell), the War had turned against Germany. The German people were being bombed by the Allies and German armies retreating on all fronts--an unfolding national disaster. Thus a disaster film was not what the NAZIs needed. And the idea of a single-minded strong leader leading a great ship to disaster was an stingily effective metaphor for a strong leader leading a great nation to oblivion. The sinking scenes of people floundering in icy seas were too much like civilians in Germany's bombed our cities. (Some of these shots were so good that they were used in 'A night to remember'.) I do not know if Goebbels ever showed the film to Hitler or if Hitler ever asked bout it. Goebbels did permit it to be shown in occupied countries. Apparently he was such a film buff that he could not bear to have his expensive creation condemned to oblivion. It proved quite successful in Paris, Prague, and other cities where it was shown.

Created: 12:20 AM 7/4/2012
Spell checked: 1:20 AM 7/4/2012
Last updated: 1:20 AM 7/4/2012