On May 7, 1915, the RMS “Lusitania”, a British passenger liner, was struck by a German torpedo off the coast of Ireland and sank within minutes, claiming the lives of over 1,100 civilians. The horrifying attack shocked the world, fueling anti-German sentiment and hastening America’s entry into World War I.

In “The Sinking of the Lusitania”, pioneering animator Winsor McCay transforms this real-life tragedy into a searing work of art and political protest. Using more than 25,000 painstakingly hand-drawn frames, McCay creates a 12-minute animated reconstruction of the disaster – blending documentary accuracy with emotional impact.

The film begins with intertitles providing context for the event, framing the attack as a deliberate act of cruelty against innocent lives. Then, through fluid and realistic animation, the viewer witnesses the German U-boat stalking the liner, firing its torpedo, and the resulting chaos as the “Lusitania” lists, floods, and finally sinks beneath the waves.

In haunting detail, passengers cling to lifeboats, leap into the sea, or are dragged down by the ship’s suction – their fear and desperation rendered all the more powerful by the stark black-and-white drawings. The film closes with a sharp condemnation of German militarism and a call for justice.

“The Sinking of the Lusitania” is not only a technical triumph – demonstrating McCay’s mastery of motion and detail in service of a serious narrative – but also one of the first uses of animation as journalism and political commentary. It elevated the medium beyond entertainment, proving its potential as a vehicle for education, advocacy, and emotional resonance.

Lead Cast

• Winsor McCay