Complete credited cast: | |||
Thor Heyerdahl | ... | Self - Narrator (Scandinavian, US versions) | |
Herman Watzinger | ... | Self | |
Erik Hesselberg | ... | Self | |
Knut Haugland | ... | Self | |
Torstein Raaby | ... | Self | |
Bengt Danielsson | ... | Self | |
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Ben Grauer | ... | Narrator (US introductory sequence) (voice) |
"Kon-Tiki" was the name of a wooden raft used by six Scandinavian scientists, led by Thor Heyerdahl, to make a 101-day journey from South America to the Polynesian Islands. The purpose of the expedition was to prove Heyerdal's theory that the Polynesian Islands were populated from the east---specifically Peru---rather than from the west (Asia)as had been the theory for hundreds of years. Heyerdahl made a study of the winds and tides in the Pacific, and by simulating conditions as closely as possible to those he theorized the Peruvians encountered, set out on the voyage. Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
Very well done film documenting the ultimate adventure. Heyerdahl and his team sail across the Pacific ocean on a wooden raft to prove the thesis that South American Indians took the same route and settled in the Polynesian Islands, long before Columbus discovered America. I'm curious to know where Heyerdahl's thesis stands today. The documentary is pretty good, considering the limited equipment that the crew had to work with. It's nevertheless riveting most of the time. I would be scared to death to be in the unknown like they were. At the same time, it's the ultimate adventure!
Seen at home, in Toronto, on April 26th, 2005.
87/100 (***½)