Queen Elizabeth 2, Transatlantique, film by LP Capelle and R Rombout (1993)

[pete cain]

https://vimeo.com/70545112
  just found this little sample , love the shot at the end from the tug, wish there was more to see.  as usual apologies in advance to mods who have to sort things out for us (me)

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

  just found this little sample , love the shot at the end from the tug, wish there was more to see.  as usual apologies in advance to mods who have to sort things out for us (me)

Lovely film, wonderful to see and so nostalgic... Great how the shots are taken from so many locations.

I wonder can we date it? The penthouses are already in place.

[Bob C.]

At some point I will have to convince my dad to digitize his 8mm home movies.  He has QE2 films from '69, '72, '74, '77 and '79.

[June Ingram]

Thank you very much, Pete, for posting this marvelous video of our QE2 preparing to leave port.  Is that Captain Ron Warwick on the bridge wing ?  If it is, it might help date the video somewhat.

And yes, Bob, you must convince your Dad to digitize his home movies. 

 

[Alan Snelson]

Yes it definitely was Captain Ron Warwick on the bridge wing. The few brief glimpses of the funnel suggest it was after the diesel installation.

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes, it's the diesel funnel for sure.

We should be able to narrow it down further because it's a 16.00 sailing - in other words, when she was still overnighting in Southampton for her turnarounds.  So it had to be before they switched to the same day in and out system.

[Graham Taylor]

We should be able to narrow it down further because it's a 16.00 sailing - in other words, when she was still overnighting in Southampton for her turnarounds.  So it had to be before they switched to the same day in and out system.

I don't understand the reasoning here - we usually sailed 16:00 - 17:00 after a same day turnaround. I can only remember one Soton overnighter, which was in Nov '87, when I joined. I don't recall others from then until '92, but there may have been.

I can see a young Peter Moxon and Staff Captain Ron Boulton in the clip; I'd take a guess that the video was shot sometime between '92-'94.

[Peter Mugridge]

I don't understand the reasoning here - we usually sailed 16:00 - 17:00 after a same day turnaround. I can only remember one Soton overnighter, which was in Nov '87, when I joined. I don't recall others from then until '92, but there may have been.

Until the mid 1980s at least, QE2 would always arrive at Southampton one afternoon, overnight and then sail the next afternoon.  Can't quite remember when that was stopped and they moved to the same day in and out basis although I know the answer is already on here somewhere from a couple of years ago...

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Ron Acosta also believes that this would have been taken in the early 1990s, so we seem to have a majority view that this is where it belongs, and I am moving the topic there.

Great find, Pete! A wonderful film in its own right, and I love the discussion .

We may be able to find the exact voyage concerned -- would be great!

[Michael Gallagher]

It is from the 55-minute French film 'Transatlantique' which was filmed on board in 1993.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

It is from the 55-minute French film 'Transatlantique' which was filmed on board in 1993.

There we are, Michael, thank you! We were getting quite close... .

I wonder whether the whole film is still available somewhere?

[Michael Gallagher]

Yes you can purchase it on DVD. It is one of the best documentaries made about crossing the Atlantic on QE2.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Yes you can purchase it on DVD. It is one of the best documentaries made about crossing the Atlantic on QE2.

Thank you, Michael. I have just ordered it from Amazon.fr :

http://www.amazon.fr/Queen-Elizabeth-Transatlantique-Rob-Rombout/dp/B0009N59UY/ref=sr_1_2?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1427067049&sr=1-2&keywords=transatlantique

Prices on Amazon (FR and DE) vary between 7 and 61 Euro. I decided to go for the EUR 7 option .

You might be interested to know that all the Amazons have the same login and password. So, if you have never used Amazon.fr before, but have an identity with any other Amazon country, just use the same identity on Amazon.fr, and all will be well!

[June Ingram]

Hi Isabelle -

Very good to know about the logins being the same for all Amazons.

June   

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I have just watched this film on DVD and am totally delighted with it.

It was made by a crew of RTBF, i.e. the French-speaking Belgian television, with some Swiss support.

The film accompanies QE2 on an Atlantic crossing, from Southampton to New York, with footage both from inside the ship and also (totally impressive) outside. They must have had airplane and helicopter crews filming from the most astonishing angles -- I was particularly impressed with close-up shots of QE2's bow slicing through the ocean.

All the spoken words are in English, but there are French subtitles for the Belgian audience.

The film takes us behind the scenes, from the engine rooms to the Captain's quarters (Ron Warwick), from the dressing room for the dancers to the cabin of the musicians. Both the passengers and the crew are given the chance to speak, and there are  many wordless scenes of life on deck, in the Queen's Room and the restaurants.

This is 1993, and it is amazing to see the Queen's Room and the Grand Lounge in their then looks, and also a restaurant which I could not even identify.

Highly recommended! Thank you, Michael, for having pointed it out to us -- this was a real pleasure to watch. And thank you, Pete, for having given us the taster -- without you, we might never have known about this film.

[Thomas Hypher]

The documentary on the "Stop Over" channel is a different, later documentary (post "Project Lifestyle") by a different original production company.  Here is a link to the 1998 documentary

This is the 1993 (actually filmed in/is from 1992 according to the beginning title and the end credits) documentary this topic belongs to:

[Rob Lightbody]

Great find Thomas.  I think in my head these 2 films were the same and I'd never figured it out.  They're both fabulous.

I was suspicious of who "Stop Over" on YouTube were, but they appear to be the "Night & Day" company, which is the one noted on the copyright at the end of the 1998 documentary!

I love that this ends with a very definite note, that when QE2 finishes, that will be the end of transatlantic travel - they (and I) were certain of that in the early 90s - and it didn't really change until the movie Titanic... and helps young people now to understand the profound shock when they announced the Queen Mary project, and that for so much of QE2's life, she was the last ever true transatlantic liner (and for some, still is).

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Louis-Philippe Capelle, the maker of this film together with Rob Rombout, has just brought me some 50 video cassettes of this film, which he wants to give away free of charge to members of this Forum.

Just to remind you of the content :

I have just watched this film and am totally delighted with it.

It was made by a crew of RTBF, i.e. the French-speaking Belgian television, with some Swiss support.

The film accompanies QE2 on an Atlantic crossing, from Southampton to New York, with footage both from inside the ship and also (totally impressive) outside. They must have had airplane and helicopter crews filming from the most astonishing angles -- I was particularly impressed with close-up shots of QE2's bow slicing through the ocean.

All the spoken words are in English, but there are French subtitles for the Belgian audience.

The film takes us behind the scenes, from the engine rooms to the Captain's quarters (Ron Warwick), from the dressing room for the dancers to the cabin of the musicians. Both the passengers and the crew are given the chance to speak, and there are  many wordless scenes of life on deck, in the Queen's Room and the restaurants.

This is 1993, and it is amazing to see the Queen's Room and the Grand Lounge in their then looks, and also a restaurant which I could not even identify.

Highly recommended! Thank you, Michael, for having pointed it out to us -- this was a real pleasure to watch. And thank you, Pete, for having given us the taster -- without you, we might never have known about this film.

You will remember one of the stills of this film, with which Louis-Philippe Capelle won a prize in our photo competition :



Louis-Philippe was an official photographer of QE2 (the ship) for many years, on and off for various projects, and then also of QM2, throughout her building and initial voyages. Even though he was just dropping off the videos, we spent an hour chatting together and only just scratched the fascinating surface.

If you have the benefit of a video machine (European PAL or American style NTSC) and would like me to send you one of the 50 copies donated by Louis-Philippe, please let me know by 26 May, and I shall get it off to you!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

If you have the benefit of a video machine (European or American style) and would like me to send you one of the 50 copies donated by Louis-Philippe, please let me know by 26 May, and I shall get it off to you!

I should be able to do a second series of postings a bit later this year -- but best to be among the first come first served .

This is the English version of the film (2003), with French subtitles.

Lovely quote : "Some people consider this ship as a floating hotel, well... the QE2 is a liner and will never be a hotel. Do you know any hotel that can make a speed of 30 knots?" (Chief Engineer).

Times have changed, but this was QE2 in her heyday!

With many thanks to Louis-Philippe Capelle for his generosity -- it will be great to see many of us taking him up on his marvellous offer .

[cunardqueen]

  If you have the benefit of a video machine (European or American style) and would like me to send you one of the 50 copies donated by Louis-Philippe, please let me know by 26 May, and I shall get it off to you! 

A very kind and generous offer, l would love to take you up on this. lm hoping like hell you will charge for postage  and even include a monetry donation and if payment can be made via paypal even better..

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

A very kind and generous offer, l would love to take you up on this. lm hoping like hell you will charge for postage  and even include a monetry donation and if payment can be made via paypal even better..

Great, Myles, and thank you! No problem about the postage -- but of course if you feel like it, you can send an equivalent donation to Forum funds when you receive the video. I assume your address is unchanged .

[June Ingram]

I would as well very much like a copy, but also do want to contribute.  This is indeed quite an opportunity ! 

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I would as well very much like a copy, but also do want to contribute.  This is indeed quite an opportunity ! 

Thank you, June. The first two parcels went out today!

I shall be very happy to send you the American video version .

[June Ingram]

Many thanks, Isabelle !   

[Lynda Bradford]

I would have liked a video Isabelle but happy to be at the back of the queue so as to let other forum members get the opportunity to get one first!

[Andy Holloway]

Watching this film brings back many happy memories of my 5 years aboard QE2 as Chief Security Officer and reminds me of just what it felt like to leave Southampton/New York at the start of another 'trannie'!.

It brings a lump to my through remembering just how i felt on my first 'trannie', the feeling of trepidation and anticipation, followed 5 days later by that feeling of; " I don't want this to end, can we not just turn around and go back?"
I remember my first solo 'trannie',  i made a list of things i needed to do then, when we got to New York, i was only half way down the list, but it had trebled in length!
 
Lots of familiar faces as well, Andrew Graham who i served with on Royal Viking Sun [RVS] in 1996, at 10.08, the Senior Officers line up, John Duffy - Hotel Manager, on the left and Ron Bolton - Staff Captain, on the right, both sadly no longer with us. Ron was Staff Captain on RVS in 1996 and Captain of Caronia some years later.

So looking forward to watching the rest.
 

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Lots of videos still available, in both European and American formats, and I shall be taking any orders to the post office at the end of this week. Please let me know your address if you would like one!

I would be so sorry if many of them stayed here gathering dust, while they could be out with you being enjoyed.

[Waverley]

I recently received a copy of this superb video from Isabelle and I highly recommend that you request a copy as soon as you can. Since there are only 50 copies which were very kindly given to Isabelle by Louis- Philippe Capelle for her to distribute free to forum members.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching all aspects of the transatlantic voyage and great to see the ship and behind the scenes too. This is a "must have" video and I am so pleased that I was given the opportunity to view it.

You must have a copy as well. Thanks to Isabelle you can !!!
You won't be disappointed. See Isabelle's previous post.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

13 videos have now been sent out, 12 of these in PAL and one in NTSC. I hope they arrive quickly and safely, to be enjoyed by the recipients. 11 have gone to the UK, one to the USA and one to Australia.

I am very grateful to Louis-Philippe Chapelle for his generous offer to this Forum!

[Andy Holloway]

My copy arrived while i've been away at the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, really looking forward to watching it, many thanks to all concerned in it's provision.

Incidentally, at Chatsworth Cunard were sponsoring The Piano Stage, providing information about future cruises, and giving away free 'Cunard' bags, very useful at a flower show when you do buy plants etc that you hadn't intended to!

There were two 'marketing lads' from some agency dress in the old Cunard Bell Boy uniforms assisting the Cunard ladies. A lovely moment when i realised i knew one of the ladies manning the stand. She had been working in the S'ton Office when i was on QE2, we used to have a lot of dealings with her when she was arranging ship tours for guests on S'ton turnaround days.

[Lynda Bradford]

My copy of the video was delivered yesterday and I am really looking forward to getting it transferred into a DVD so that I can watch it. 

Thank-you to Louis-Phillip Chapelle for giving the videos to The QE2 Story so that our members can enjoy the film.

Thank-you also to Isabelle who has taken on the task of sending the videos to members who requested a video and to everyone who requested a video and who have donated to the forum funds. 

[pete cain]

AND THEY SAID V H S  was dead !
   Thank you Isabelle, I can only second what Lynda said previously. will report soon .....

[rough crossing]

Hello there,

My copy duly arrived safely yesterday - so just got to get the VHS player out and dusted off! Many thanks for sending the tape so promptly - am looking forward to playing it very soon.

Cheers,

Jim

[cunardqueen]

My video arrived today, Thanks very much to all concerned , for the donating of the videos and for the time taken to post them out, far and wide.
Now l need to figure out how to connect up the Video player, cant think when l last used one .
I wonder if this was ever shown onboard on the incabin TV, they used to show a lot of superb videos

[pete cain]

Isabelle,
 thank you so much, just finished watching, slightly grainy, music a wee bit distorted, well that's  V H S magic just like QE2.
  I know it's out there on Youtube  et al, but owning an 'original ' especially when you have gone to so much trouble & expense, makes it rather special to me, that & knowing we'll never ever see the likes again makes it makes it more so!.
  I think that Louis-Phillipe  needs an extra thank you for making these copies available to the forum & taking time out to deliver them to you, after all he could've just binned them, a real nice gesture
   

[Grill Britannia]

My video arrived safely on Monday and I watched it tonight on my VHS/DVD combo player/recorder so will probably transfer it onto DVD as well.
Thank you very much Louis Phillipe Capelle for making/donating the videos and to Isabelle for posting them out to us. Loved the nostalgic feel to the film and the chance to see the ship from so many different angles. Also over the French sub titles!

[June Ingram]

My video has arrived !  And I can not wait to view it !

Many thanks to Louis-Philippe Capelle for making these marvelous videos available to us !  And many thanks to Isabelle for packaging them and sending them out to us ! 

 

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I am so glad to read that all the videos posted in the first batch have safely arrived and are being enjoyed. Louis-Philippe Capelle has done us here in the Forum a big favour by letting us have so many copies of his masterpiece as a free gift.

I shall be happy to send out a second batch. If you would like to receive one of the videos as part of that batch, please let us know here or send an email to <admin@theqe2story.com>. The videos are available in both European and American formats.

[Twynkle]

Oooh! What a Treat!

Have only just found this superb video and cannot say just how much we are appreciating it.
It is tempting to think and say "Those really were the best days at sea.."
We owe great thanks to the film makers, as well as so many crew and all who helped to make it.
Rosie.