I think we have to grant them artistic license on this one. How many would watch a movie where all the "action" takes place in the dark. That would get old fast, no?

Still, it can cause confusion. In the recent version of Titanic (spoiler alert: the ship sank), the lifeboats do little to help the passengers floating in the water. Although that is probably true to life, it is not as callous as it seems--the actual night was moonless, and without ship lights, probably pitch dark. Perhaps the would-be rescuers just couldn't see?