Deep Water

To sail around the world, alone, without ever stopping for help or interacting with another human being. Such was the challenge of the 1969 Sunday Time Golden Globe Race, and at least on the surface, the subject of the documentary, “Deep Water.” in 2008, I think we would see this as a spiritual challenge, but in 1969, the thrill was also very physical. Nobody was even sure it was possible.

If “Deep Water” had been made in 1969, or shortly after, it probably would’ve focused on the winner, Robin Knox-Johnston, who in fact was the only competitor of nine to finish the race. But in this century, or in the light of technological advancement that makes the significance of Knox-Johnston’s achievement more difficult to relate to, “Deep Water” wisely focuses instead on two of the losers. We learn a lot about Bernard Moitessier, who was in position to win the race when he suddenly veered off course and decided to circle the world again. Apparently the thought of facing the crowds terrified him. But the main focus of “Deep Water” is Donald Crowhurst — an amateur sailor who never should’ve entered the race in the first place.

Crowhurst, a family man with two young boys, was a struggling inventor and manufacturer of naval navigating equipment. He’s the kind of guy who has more optimism and faith in his own spirit than is probably healthy, making him an easy mark for a con artist or cutthroat businessman. Crowhurst literally staked everything he had on the race – his financier required that he complete it or he would take away his house and bankrupt him. Without giving the plot away – this is a documentary that could actually be “spoiled” by a careless reviewer – I’ll say that, on the course of his journey, Crowhurst is forced into tough spots that cause him to lie and cheat. All the while, he is utterly, complete alone, surrounded by nothing but salt water and his own thoughts.

[YouTube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTD8x38Ww-w]

“Deep Water” is a absorbing, fascinating account, well-documented by Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell, who lead us to ponder with bewilderment each of Crowhurst’s baffling decisions. “Deep Water” tells a fascinating story, one much more interesting and spiritually moving than a simple boat race.

Recommended

• if you liked “Into the Wild.”
• if you’ve ever done much sailing.
• if you’re more interested in documentaries that focus on the vast interior spaces of the psyche than the vast exterior spaces of the world.

Not Recommended

• if you were hoping it was actually a movie about a boat race.
• if morally questionable acts by the main character will be repulsive to you.
• if a guy staking everything and abandoning his family to race a boat will just frustrate you.