The Odyssey (2016)

The aquatic adventure of the highly influential and fearlessly ambitious pioneer, innovator, filmmaker, researcher, and conservationist, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, covers roughly thirty years of an inarguably rich in achievements life.

Director:

Jérôme Salle

Writers:

Jérôme Salle (screenplay), Laurent Turner (screenplay)

Stars:

Lambert Wilson, Pierre Niney, Audrey Tautou

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lambert Wilson	...	Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Pierre Niney	...	Philippe Cousteau
Audrey Tautou	...	Simone Cousteau
Laurent Lucas	...	Philippe Tailliez
Benjamin Lavernhe	...	Jean-Michel Cousteau
Vincent Heneine	...	Albert 'Bébert' Falco
Thibault de Montalembert	...	Etienne Deshaies
Roger Van Hool	...	Daniel Cousteau dit Daddy
Chloe Hirschman	...	Jan Cousteau
Adam Neill	...	David Wolper
Olivier Galfione	...	Frédéric Dumas
Martin Loizillon	...	Henri Plé
Ulysse Stein	...	Philippe Cousteau (enfant)
Rafaël de Ferran	...	Jean-Michel Cousteau (enfant)
Chloe Williams	...	Eugénie Clark

Storyline

From 1949 to 1979, thirty years in the life of captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the famous researcher, scientist, inventor, filmmaker whose greatest achievement is to have made the general public more curious - and accordingly closer - to the sea. A genius, a leader of men and a charismatic opinion maker, Cousteau was not without defects, his being unfaithful to ever-supportive wife Simone for example or else his vainglory..., but let him who is without sin cast the first stone. The spectator leaves Cousteau in mid-1979 at the worst time of his life: his favorite son, Philippe, has just died in the crash of a plane he was piloting. The dashing conqueror of the sea has suddenly become a broken old man, tempted to discouragement but his eldest son Jean-Michel is by his side to help him overcome his grief and go on with his mission...

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Plot Keywords:

ecology | sea | frenchman abroad | unfaithful husband | environmental activist | 

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Taglines:

He discovered a new world and he wanted to protect it instead of conquering it.

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material, language, and smoking

Did You Know?

Trivia

The following statement is displayed during the closing credits (version shown here is the English subtitle translation as it appears onscreen): "The film is based on well-known elements from the biography of Jacques-Yves Cousteau which are public knowledge. The screenplay was freely inspired on "My Father, the Captain" by Jean-Michel Cousteau and "Capitaine de la Calypso" by Albert Falco and Yves Paccalet. Jerôme Salle carried out in-depth research and gathered numerous testimonies, namely from former Cousteau crew members, to write the screenplay and prepare the film. The film focuses on Cousteau's first family."

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

Jacques-Yves Cousteau: With this equipment we can breathe underwater, free as a fish without effort. Thanks to this invention, man can live up to his century-old dream. Fly. Because once underwater, you're totally weightless. From above, you have your beautiful sunlight and you are getting dark blue. You swim between those two worlds, far from the people, the noise, silent. And the sea... The sea surrounds you, carries you...

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Connections

Featured in ACS France (2018)

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Soundtracks

Symphony N°3 in F Major, opus 90
Composed by Johannes Brahms
(1883)

User Reviews

Household Name Growing Up - Jacques Cousteau

Currently at the age of 57, it's fair to say that, hearing the name {Jacques Cousteau}, be it random conversation w others, catching it on the radio or perhaps, seeing him on a TV special or documentary, was as common an occurrence over the decades (before his death), as was waking up, to cartoons every Saturday morning (during that era).

For those unfamiliar w the name & legacy of Jacques Cousteau, this is an important & smart film, especially for those possessing a concentrated interest, in the historical perspective, of such a profound conservationist (so far ahead of his time).

Personal Disclosure: As an individual that does not adopt to the supposition, of anthropomorphic climate-change, it is important to note that, much of Cousteau's efforts, during the last (almost) two-decades of his explorations, were given, to legitimate environmental concerns. And, going forward, he invested his life's work, exposing & educating the world, on the ramifications of unchecked pollution, and subsequently, the needless and/or, haphazard slaughtering, of any species (to the point of extinction).

The Odyssey, did & will continue, to help generations to come, remember the life & legacy of such a special individual (and family).

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France]

Country:

France Belgium

Language:

French English

Release Date:

12 October 2016 (France)

Also Known As:

The Odyssey

Filming Locations:

France

Box Office

Budget:

EUR20,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,763,264

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pan Européenne, Curiosa Films, Moana Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.66 : 1