I always have misgivings about UK productions. Europeans love “reality” (i.e., they never had enough money to do more) which tends to be boring and uninspiring.
As one of the more active and erudite Titanic enthusiasts among us, I'll be very interested in your reaction. I think the story stands on its own merit and A Night to Remember captures it well. I want to caution you that special effects are somewhat crude. We oldsters can overlook that but since you're younger, just try to realize the limitations of the late 1950's.
I also find it ironic it’s based on a book by a man from my own backyard. I read it when in middle school - excellent; the “bible” of Titanic.
Yes, Walter Lord is from Ball'mer. Actually several great writers came from there such as Poe and Mencken.
I really don’t care too much about SFX. After all, I’m a bit of a fan of “Titanic” with Stanwyck, and that’s older (albeit American). That’s not what phases me unless it’s so bad as to be funny, like 1 of my Super8 movies. I love old movies. They’re just much classier.
As to Poe: I don’t think he was here much. Actually, he seems to have had a spotty life as far as living arrangements. He spent some time in Baltimore, but he was not “from” here.