Deep Water (2006)

DEEP WATER is the stunning true story of the fateful voyage of Donald Crowhurst an amateur yachtsman who enters the most daring nautical challenge ever the very first solo non-stop round-the-world boat race. System Requirements:Run Time: 93 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/BIOGRAPHY Rating: PG UPC: 796019807616 Manufacturer No: 80761 Product Description

Fantastic documentary

This is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. A tragic example of a real life story that surpass any imaginable fiction. Very touching indeed August 8, 2008

What Documentaries Should Be Like...

Have you ever found yourself watching a film or documentary and having to hold yourself back from screaming things like "No! Don't do it!"? No? Well it's time you do. And undoubtedly DEEP WATER is the one to get you started.

The story is based on that of Donald Crowhurst and his entry into the first round-the-world yacht race to be undertaken by individuals in 1968. That word "individuals" is important, as the men who set off on this nearly suicidal escapade head out alone.

Most of the men are well-knowns in the sea-faring communities of England (where they launch from), but one of them is the "unknown dark horse," and his name was Donald Crowhurst. Struggling financially, Crowhurst enlists a backer who can take everything from him should he fail to at least attempt to make it through a large portion of the race. He could take his home, his property, everything.

Crowhurst now finds himself between a rock and ...well ...deep water: either attempt the race with an unproven ship and an unproven captain, or lose everything you own (which was significant since Crowhurst had a wife and several children). You'll note the term "unproven captain" in there, too. Not only was he unproven, he'd never been out on the open sea! Did I mention suicidal?

Flicking between archival footage of the pre- and post-race, and those of Crowhurst's friends, family, and acquaintances of today, Deep Water is put together masterfully. Initially seen as a poor sap who got in over his head, the film gradually shows you the limited choices Crowhurst had after months and months out on the water. His ship leaks. Equipment breaks. Pysche stretched to the breaking point (and beyond). Crowhurst finds himself lost in an internal struggle with no successful way out. It is interesting, too, to see the psychological breaks that other racers have as they deal with their solitary confinement on-board their respective boats.

The wave-like emotions that you'll feel as you watch this astounding documentary may make you a bit ill (not unlike trying to get your sea-legs). And you'll probably be frustrated at the choices being made; perhaps just as frustrated as poor Mr. Crowhurst.

The ending is also amazing in that we get to see the actual ship that Crowhurst sailed, sitting deserted and rotting on a Caribbean beach ...not unlike other things that felt deserted and rotting toward the end of this poorly thought-out race.

Incredible. July 29, 2008

OBSESSION OR IGNORANCE??

STORY - This is the true story of Donald Crowhurst and to a lesser degree the other sailors who took on the challenge in 1967 of sailing around the world solo in a sailboat non-stop, something never before attempted. Of all the participants, Crowhurst was the least experienced and the least prepared. The race began in England and participants had a window of several months during which they could leave before the weather turned against them. While all the others had left weeks before, Crowhurst finally had his boat ready on the very last day possible. Remember, this was before GPS and the only contact was when they happened to be in range of radio contact. Several, including Crowhurst, had movie cameras along as well as audio taping equipment to record their journey. From the beginning Crowhurst had laid everything on the line. His financial future was tied to the success of the race. What makes someone in the prime of life risk family, finances and future on a challenge that only proves you can do something no one else has done? Why didn't family or friends or both talk him out of this utterly absurd expedition? What a person does when they face the ultimate challenge in his life reveals his character. Crowhurst found himself in the incredible position of placing 2nd or failing. Either would be disastrous. What he did revealed his character. Entertaining and suspenseful. Enjoy. www.lusreviews.blogspot.com.

April 7, 2008

Deep Water

I've read the Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst about 10 times, and have been waiting for this DVD since I first heard about it some two years ago. If you know the Crowhurst story, get it. If you don't know the Crowhurst saga, get it and get the book.

You'll hear Donald speak some, lots of good interviews with his wife and son, some excellent (translated) stuff from the competitor who was winning the race but decided not to, and a lot more. Well done documentary about the first round-the-world race and it's oddest conclusion. April 6, 2008

Deep water

This DVD was very good. I did not find it long and drawn out. There was a very small portion that was slow but it was still a very compelling story. For any one that sails or if your thinking about setting sail view this movie. It is about one mans journey who sails around the world who had no sailing expeience and got caught up in the hype of his trip and could not back out. March 6, 2008

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