Review It Yourself

The forgotten liner that outshone Titanic in real life.

What if the most dramatic story of the Olympic-class liners isn’t the one you’ve seen on film?

In this fascinating episode of Review It Yourself, we uncover the extraordinary true story of RMS Olympic — the ship often overshadowed by her ill-fated sister, Titanic — but whose career was packed with mutiny, collisions, U-boats, innovation, and wartime heroics.

Sean and maritime historian guest Mark Chirnside dive deep into the remarkable history behind his definitive book, RMS Olympic: Titanic's Sister. First published in 2004 and expanded in its 2015 second edition, this meticulously researched volume restores Olympic to her rightful place in maritime history.

Far from being the “boring older sister,” Olympic earned the nickname “Old Reliable” for good reason. She survived a major collision with HMS Hawke, served with distinction during the First World War, transported thousands of troops, and even rammed and sank a German U-boat. While Titanic’s story has dominated popular culture, Olympic’s 24-year career tells a powerful story of resilience, adaptation, and maritime safety reform in the early 20th century.

In this episode, we explore:
Why Olympic has been historically overlooked
The myths and misconceptions surrounding the Olympic-class liners
The ship’s vital wartime service and technical innovations
How historical narratives are shaped — and sometimes distorted
The research process behind writing a definitive maritime history

Mark shares insights into archival research, the challenges of correcting the historical record, and why Olympic deserves far greater recognition among historians and enthusiasts alike.

About the Guest
Mark Chirnside is a respected maritime historian specialising in White Star Line and Cunard liners of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work is known for its depth, accuracy, and myth-busting clarity.
Find Mark's Website 'Mark Chirnside's Reception Room' (including blog) Here: https://markchirnside.co.uk/

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New episodes explore films, historical subjects, and fascinating guests — always with sharp insight and honest analysis.

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Your support helps the podcast grow, attract expert guests, and continue producing in-depth conversations like this one.
If you thought you knew the full story of the Olympic-class liners, this episode might just change your perspective.

Follow & Contact Review It Yourself
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For guest enquiries, collaborations, or listener feedback, email directly — the show welcomes thoughtful discussion and future topic suggestions.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bold retelling of Titanic’s final hours — but does it sink or swim?

In this explosive deep-dive, we tackle Titanic Sinks Tonight, the BBC’s ambitious 2025 dramatised documentary charting the final hours of the world’s most infamous liner, RMS Titanic.
Did the series finally get the facts right? Or did it fall into the same old traps that have haunted Titanic storytelling for over a century?
Joined by returning guests Clifford Ismay and Jamie Borsato, we unpack the performances, the politics, the AI reconstructions, and the controversial portrayal of J. Bruce Ismay — descendant in the hot seat included.

What We Cover in This Episode
The unusual “interview testimony” format — innovative or immersion-breaking?
Historical accuracy vs dramatic licence
The portrayal of Captain Smith and the chain of command
Lifeboat myths and Board of Trade regulations
The modern political framing — necessary context or misplaced commentary?
AI ship models and visual inconsistencies
The handling (or mishandling) of J. Bruce Ismay
Why some creative decisions felt oddly judgmental
Whether this ranks among the better modern Titanic documentaries
If you care about Titanic history, maritime storytelling, or documentary ethics — this conversation is essential listening.

Special Guest: Clifford Ismay
Clifford Ismay is the author of:
📘 Understanding J. Bruce Ismay: The Man They Called The Coward of Titanic
A detailed historical reassessment of one of Titanic’s most controversial figures, separating myth from documented fact.
Clifford offers rare insight as a relative of J. Bruce Ismay and challenges long-standing misconceptions repeated yet again in this BBC production.
Find Cliff on:
X/Twitter: @CliffIsmay
Instagram: @ismay_titanic

Special Guest: Jamie Borsato
Jamie Borsato is the creator and host of the Old Shipping Lines YouTube channel.
His channel features:
Detailed Titanic animations
Maritime history breakdowns
Ship reconstructions
Deep dives into Olympic-class liners
📺 Subscribe to Old Shipping Lines on YouTube to see some of the most passionate independent maritime content online.
Find Jamie on:
Twitter/X: @oldshippingline
Instagram: old_shipping_lines
YouTube: @OldShippingLines

Key Themes Explored
Accuracy vs Agenda
We examine how Titanic Sinks Tonight blends inquiry testimony with dramatisation — but does this approach flatten complex historical nuance?

The Ismay Question
Once again, J. Bruce Ismay is placed centre stage. But did the series fairly reflect:
His role aboard Titanic?
The reality of his retirement from the IMM?
The long-standing myths about lifeboats and ownership?
Clifford Ismay provides context rarely heard in mainstream productions.

AI and Visual Reconstruction
The BBC leaned into AI modelling for parts of the sinking. We discuss:
Visual inconsistencies
Hull damage depiction errors
Whether AI enhances or undermines historical storytelling

Why This Episode Matters
Titanic documentaries shape public understanding. When inaccuracies are repeated, they become accepted “truth.”
This episode challenges viewers to think critically about:
Historical storytelling
Documentary responsibility
The fine line between drama and distortion
Whether you loved or hated the series — you’ll never see it the same way again.

Follow & Contact Review It Yourself
Stay connected with Review It Yourself for more intelligent reviews, interviews, and deep dives into books and films:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reviewityourselfpodcast2021
X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/YourselfReview
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/reviewityourself.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@reviewityourselfpodcast2021
Email: [email protected]

Listen If You’re Interested In:
Titanic history
Maritime disasters
Historical accuracy debates
Film & TV criticism
J. Bruce Ismay reassessment

Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and join us as we ask:
Did Titanic Sinks Tonight honour history — or repeat it poorly?
Let us know your thoughts — and as always enjoy: Film reviews without the faff.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bold retelling of Titanic’s final hours — but does it sink or swim?

In this explosive deep-dive, we tackle Titanic Sinks Tonight, the BBC’s ambitious 2025 dramatised documentary charting the final hours of the world’s most infamous liner, RMS Titanic.
Did the series finally get the facts right? Or did it fall into the same old traps that have haunted Titanic storytelling for over a century?
Joined by returning guests Clifford Ismay and Jamie Borsato, we unpack the performances, the politics, the AI reconstructions, and the controversial portrayal of J. Bruce Ismay — descendant in the hot seat included.

What We Cover in This Episode
The unusual “interview testimony” format — innovative or immersion-breaking?
Historical accuracy vs dramatic licence
The portrayal of Captain Smith and the chain of command
Lifeboat myths and Board of Trade regulations
The modern political framing — necessary context or misplaced commentary?
AI ship models and visual inconsistencies
The handling (or mishandling) of J. Bruce Ismay
Why some creative decisions felt oddly judgmental
Whether this ranks among the better modern Titanic documentaries
If you care about Titanic history, maritime storytelling, or documentary ethics — this conversation is essential listening.

Special Guest: Clifford Ismay
Clifford Ismay is the author of:
📘 Understanding J. Bruce Ismay: The Man They Called The Coward of Titanic
A detailed historical reassessment of one of Titanic’s most controversial figures, separating myth from documented fact.
Clifford offers rare insight as a relative of J. Bruce Ismay and challenges long-standing misconceptions repeated yet again in this BBC production.
Find Cliff on:
X/Twitter: @CliffIsmay
Instagram: @ismay_titanic

Special Guest: Jamie Borsato
Jamie Borsato is the creator and host of the Old Shipping Lines YouTube channel.
His channel features:
Detailed Titanic animations
Maritime history breakdowns
Ship reconstructions
Deep dives into Olympic-class liners
📺 Subscribe to Old Shipping Lines on YouTube to see some of the most passionate independent maritime content online.
Find Jamie on:
Twitter/X: @oldshippingline
Instagram: old_shipping_lines
YouTube: @OldShippingLines

Key Themes Explored
Accuracy vs Agenda
We examine how Titanic Sinks Tonight blends inquiry testimony with dramatisation — but does this approach flatten complex historical nuance?

The Ismay Question
Once again, J. Bruce Ismay is placed centre stage. But did the series fairly reflect:
His role aboard Titanic?
The reality of his retirement from the IMM?
The long-standing myths about lifeboats and ownership?
Clifford Ismay provides context rarely heard in mainstream productions.

AI and Visual Reconstruction
The BBC leaned into AI modelling for parts of the sinking. We discuss:
Visual inconsistencies
Hull damage depiction errors
Whether AI enhances or undermines historical storytelling

Why This Episode Matters
Titanic documentaries shape public understanding. When inaccuracies are repeated, they become accepted “truth.”
This episode challenges viewers to think critically about:
Historical storytelling
Documentary responsibility
The fine line between drama and distortion
Whether you loved or hated the series — you’ll never see it the same way again.

Follow & Contact Review It Yourself
Stay connected with Review It Yourself for more intelligent reviews, interviews, and deep dives into books and films:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reviewityourselfpodcast2021
X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/YourselfReview
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/reviewityourself.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@reviewityourselfpodcast2021
Email: [email protected]

Listen If You’re Interested In:
Titanic history
Maritime disasters
Historical accuracy debates
Film & TV criticism
J. Bruce Ismay reassessment

Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and join us as we ask:
Did Titanic Sinks Tonight honour history — or repeat it poorly?
Let us know your thoughts — and as always enjoy: Film reviews without the faff.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard M. Jones joins Sean to discuss his 2025 book 'Titanic The Movie Ships'.

The book explores the four ships which stood in for the Titanic during films over the years, the Asturias, Athinai, Cap Arcona and Queen Mary.

Chapters:
0:05 Welcome to Maritime Month
2:07 The Inspiration Behind Titanic Books
4:45 The Impact of Disasters on Memory
8:49 The Stories of Iconic Ships
12:16 The Fascinating World of Hovercraft
14:31 Uncovering Tragic Maritime Histories
20:55 Rich's Honeymoon onboard the Queen Mary
35:33 Ghost Tours and Marital Adventures
42:18 The Legacy of Maritime Museums
47:06 Discovering Titanic Connections
52:57 Future Projects and Upcoming Works

Thanks for Listening!

Find us here:
X: @YourselfReview
Instagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author and Historian Richard M. Jones returns to discuss his favourite Titanic film: Raise the Titanic (1980). Sean was disappointed.

Rich and Sean then talk about Julian Fellowes Titanic (2012), modern-day 'sensationalist' Titanic documentaries and the identity of 'Jack the Ripper', Hunting Hitler and more.

The second hour of the podcast delves into Richard's writing process and how he sometimes gets mistaken for a tour guide.

Chapters:
0:08 Introduction to Raise the Titanic
9:30 The Music and Visuals
22:08 Adaptations and Differences
36:46 The Ethics of Raising the Titanic
47:57 Inconsistencies and Trivia
53:45 Missed Opportunities in Titanic Films
54:42 Documentaries on the Titanic
58:53 The Impact of Titanic Films
1:01:25 Critique of Titanic 2012 Series
1:04:39 Sensationalism in Modern Titanic Documentaries
1:07:16 Writing and Researching Books
1:17:30 Starting the Writing Journey
1:43:29 The Role of Passion in Writing
1:46:32 Promoting Your Work and Engagement

Thanks for Listening!

Find us here:
X: @YourselfReview
Instagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.