"Deep Water" Donald Crowhurst - Recommended

[Larks]

I watched "Deep Water" on DVD last night and would like to recommend it to anyone who has an opinion, conception or interest in Donald Crowhursts "misadventure" or the first Round the World yacht race.

I have read the book on this guy's race but found this to be a very thoughtfuly and senistively created movie/documentary about Don Crowhursts entry and ultimate deception. It features some great historical footage of the first RTW yacht race and personal recordings and footage of the entrants, in particular Don Crowhurst and his family.

The "special features" are also worth watching as they show footage of the other entrants and interviews about their own experiences.

If you have ever sailed offshore I think you will find some of the comments and footage particularly poingnant and I defy anyone not to be moved by this very human story, particularly his best friends comments at the end.

cheers
Greg

[paladin]

should anyone be interested , I have the tapes of the subsequent BOC races...I was building a boat for the 84/85 time frame and ran my quaklifying run to the azores but was run over by a lady in a big station wagon at Bailies Crossroads and made mince meat out of my little TR-4....and me.....

[Gold Rock]

Wow, Chuck, sounds like you've got some stories to tell, too... I've seen "Deep Water" myself. Having already acquainted myself with the overall event many times over through a variety of print media over the years, I didn't get anything profoundly new from the film, but it was entertaining, nonetheless. The special point for me was the interviews with members of the Crowhurst family. They showed real guts and grace in getting in front of the cameras and saying their piece. Quite touching, really.

Chuck

[rbgarr]

I rented the DVD also and having read the book when it first came out, thought it was pretty good. I wish a bit more detail/speculation had been given about how the sinking of a competitor may have pushed Crowhurst over the edge (so to speak).

Spoiler alert: Readers' reviews of the book on Amazon- http://tinyurl.com/592jd2

[Larks]

It was interesting watching the "special features" and the indication that the competitors sinking was as a result of him (Tetley I think it was) driving his hull too hard when he heard that Crowhurst was suddenly so close bhind him. It was another trimaran and the port hull was taking water and eventually came apart so hard that it ripped into the main hull sinking the boat. He managed to get off with his films and log book.