Black + White

I think it was not allowed to be filmed in black and white because the audience might have been put off by it and it might not have been as commercially successful. This was filmed in 2001 before such movies like "Goodnight and Good Luck." I disagree that it would have been better in black and white. I just watched it over the weekend, and while I don't mind black and white for some films, I don't think it would have been right for this movie.

This movie in color allowed all the rich textiles, costumes and rooms of the boat to be seen. I thought it was much more interesting than had I see the same movie in black and white. For instance the bedrooms would not have been half as interesting with all their boudoir burgundies and gold. Joanna Lumley's rich Venetian capes would not have been captured in black and white. And as it's supposed to be a sunny, weekend cruise I don't really understand why black and white would be necessary. A film noir murder mystery in a castle or post-war setting, OK. But the film is supposed to be about a happy, summer weekend that went wrong. I think it is is very well done in color.

I don’t think b&w would have helped, and in all honesty I think it would have made it that much worse. This film was originally a play, and that is rather obvious when you watch it.

The Great Gatsby is set in the same era; I cannot imagine watching it in b&w.

If a film needs to depend on shooting it in b&w to give it an artistic feel, or to make a statement, then it’s already lost. If it can’t stand on its own merits without being b&w then it won’t be fixed by taking all the color out of it.

Totally agree!

I like old movies. I really do. I'd much rather watch a 1920s silent film rather than a modern day film. But doing a film based in the 1920s in black and white would ruin it. Just because the films were black and white back then doesn't mean that films based in that time need to be black and with. The 1920s was a colorful time and most people don't know that because of the black and white photos

Well stated. The film would have been better had it been in black and white.

The argument that the film wouldn't have been commercially successful had it been done so is moot anyway; the film bombed in color nonetheless.

After all... tomorrow is another day.