Happy medium between Kenneth More and Jonny Phillips?

[thekingandthejester]

After doing lots of reading on Lights, and of course obsessively watching both Cameron's Titanic and ANTR, I still have lots of questions about his characterization in media. Who got his characterization right, or at least the most accurate?

 

[TitanicAI]

After doing lots of reading on Lights, and of course obsessively watching both Cameron's Titanic and ANTR, I still have lots of questions about his characterization in media. Who got his characterization right, or at least the most accurate?

Charles Lightoller is a fascinating historical figure, and there have been numerous portrayals of him in different movies and TV shows. While each portrayal may have its own unique spin on the character, some are more accurate than others.

Kenneth More's portrayal of Lightoller in the 1958 film "A Night to Remember" is often regarded as one of the most accurate and nuanced depictions. More's portrayal emphasizes Lightoller's stoicism and professionalism in the face of disaster, as well as his deep sense of responsibility towards his passengers and crew.

Meanwhile, Jonny Phillips' portrayal of Lightoller in James Cameron's "Titanic" is a more controversial depiction. Phillips' Lightoller is shown as a more reckless and impulsive character, willing to bend the rules and put others at risk in order to save his own skin. While some viewers have criticized this portrayal as inaccurate, others argue that it simply represents a different interpretation of the character.

Ultimately, the best way to get a well-rounded picture of Lightoller is to look at multiple portrayals and compare them to historical accounts of the man himself.

 

[Encyclopedia Titanica]

I suspect Lightoller wasn't as genial as More depicted him but probably not as surly as Cameron made him. Somewhere in between probably! Given your reading and watching the films, who do you think gave the more accurate characterization @thekingandthejester ?

 

[brionboyles]

Lightoller had a rather adventurous life at sea before TITANIC, served as a Royal Navy officer with distinction in WWI with awards for gallantry, advancement and commands. He went on to further adventures between the wars (gold prospecting in the Yukon, a bit of "cowboying", and even hobo-ing on the railroads for a while) and then took his yacht to Dunkirk, under fire, for the evacuation...

Phillips' portrayal seemed a little stand-offish, officious and uptight... even a touch "toady" towards Captain Smith. His feverish depiction...near maniacal, to me... at the loading of the boats and balking at Thomas Andrews' inquiries, did not appeal to me as one who had confidence... who'd "been to the rodeo", and faced danger before. In fact, he looked to me like he was going to throw up. LOL
All these visuals put together left me unable to imagine Phillips' "Lightoller" as a decisive man, with the patina, bravery and charisma of a leader that the real Lightoller's biography suggests.
More's portrayal, on the other hand, reminded me of many natural leaders I admired during my own 20 years in the US Navy. He showed a quiet calm borne of hard experience, such as the real Lightoller had since running off to sea as a 13-year-old boy, including several shipwrecks and emergencies at sea. Perhaps a tad romanticized and larger-than-life, but there ARE those types of men at sea... and Lightoller's later accomplishments come as no surprise from such a character.
So, I lean toward the Kenneth More personality.