Deep Water (2006)

Directors:

Louise Osmond
Jerry Rothwell

Release Date:

15 December 2006 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary | History | Sport

Plot:

A documentary about the disastrous 1968 round-the-world yacht race. |

Plot Keywords:

Sailing Ship | Rescue At Sea | Suicide | Cheating | Aloneness

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Jean Badin	...	Bernard Moitessier (voice)
Clare Crowhurst	...	Herself
Donald Crowhurst	...	Himself (archive footage)
Simon Crowhurst	...	Himself
Santiago Franchessie	...	Himself
Ted Hynds	...	Himself
Donald Kerr	...	Himself
Robin Knox-Johnston	...	Himself
Françoise Moitessier de Cazalet
Simon Russell Beale	...	Donald Crowhurst (voice)
Tilda Swinton	...	Narrator (voice)
Ron Winspear	...	Himself

Directed by
Louise Osmond
Jerry Rothwell

Produced by
François Ivernel	....	executive producer
Stewart Le Marechal	....	co-producer
Ralph Lee	....	executive producer
Cameron McCracken	....	executive producer
Al Morrow	....	producer
Jonny Persey	....	producer
John Smithson	....	producer
Paul Trijbits	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Harry Escott
Molly Nyman

Cinematography by
Nina Kellgren

Film Editing by
Ben Lester

Casting by
Sarah Bird

Art Direction by
Rupert Allan		(film segments)

Production Management
Dan Bentham	....	post-production supervisor

Sound Department
Lola Boström	....	foley artist
Per Boström	....	sound re-recording mixer
John Hagenstede	....	sound mixer
Mark Kenna	....	sound consultant
Christer Melén	....	sound effects editor
Joakim Sundström	....	supervising sound editor

Visual Effects by
Derek Bird	....	digital compositor
James Clarke	....	visual effects
William Foxwell	....	digital lab operator: Lip Sync Post (as Will Foxwell)
Scott Goulding	....	digital lab operator
Katja Hollmann	....	digital lab producer: Lipsync Post (as Katja Lazare)
Daniel Tomlinson	....	digital lab operator

Camera and Electrical Department
Paddy Blake	....	focus puller
Peter Byrne	....	first assistant camera:second unit
Simon Chapman	....	additional cinematographer
John Colley	....	gaffer
David Katznelson	....	additional photographer
Jem Morton	....	key grip

Editorial Department
Cinzia Baldessari	....	first assistant editor
Mark Burton	....	first assistant editor
Stuart Fyvie	....	digital colorist
Bjorn Johnson	....	assistant editor
Jeffrey May	....	on-line picture editor
Kevin Phelan	....	head of post-production: LipSync Post
Justine Wright	....	supervising editor

Music Department
Isobel Griffiths	....	orchestra contractor
Dave Foster	....	music preparation (uncredited)

Other crew
James Clarke	....	digital laboratory supervisor
Tom Cochrane	....	marine consultant
Orlagh Collins	....	head of physical production: Pathé
Himesh Kar	....	senior executive
Anna Mohr-Pietsch	....	production assistant
Sarah Teboul	....	accountant

Production Companies

• APT Films
• Darlow Smithson Productions
• Film4
• FilmFour
• Met Film Production
• Pathé Pictures International
• UK Film Council

Distributors

• A-Film Distribution (2006) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• IFC Films (2007) (USA) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Fatts  post-production script services
• Limehouse Recordings  sound post-production
• Lipsync Post  35 mm digital intermediate
• Lipsync Post  additional sound recording
• Lipsync Post  on-line conforming
• Posthuset  sound post-production

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements, mild language and incidental smoking

Runtime:

USA:92 min | Argentina:93 min | Germany:92 min (European Film Market)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G

Company:

APT Films

Movie Connections:

Referenced in King of the Waves (2009)

Soundtrack:

Cello Song

What Documentaries Should Be...

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. Psyche 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.