In 1968, Britain’s Sunday Times launched 'The Golden Globe Sailing Race" - a competition to circumnavigate the world without stopping or receiving outside assistance. The prize money of £5000 was very attractive.
The yachtsman could be of any standard, their vessels were in various states of sea worthiness and the men had to be prepared to spend up to 8 months isolated at sea.
The race was quite rightly, considered an irresponsible Sunday Times’ stunt to attract readers.
Deep Water is the brilliant new documentary from the team who bought us the thrilling 'Touching the Void".
The film focuses on 36yr old amateur sailor and father of 4, Donald Crowhurst, who, at the time, was desperate for the prize money.
The filmmakers track down surviving sailors and their wives, the journalists who covered the race and Crowhurst’s wife and son. They use sound recordings and footage that Crowhurst made on his journey.
And actress Tilda Swinton narrates with clarity and calmness. The overall effect is an incredibly dense story of a desperate man at the end of his wits.
Crowhurst was in no way up to the challenge. As the race unfolds, he makes a breathtakingly bad decision"¦ the ramifications have all the twists and turns of a great thriller.
The inclusion of his wife and son is poignant and crucial. Their interviews are riveting in their naivety. It is for them that I felt the most as they try to offer an insight into the man and why he may have done what he did.
Deep Water deals with the pursuit of dreams and the consequences when they start to crumble. The journey undertaken by these brave, mad souls, was inspiring, courageous and devastating!
Having no clue about the sea or yachting it took me by complete surprise how much I enjoyed this terrific film. 4 stars. Deep Water is in limited release from October 11.
