SAILING ON DEMAND
Untold: The Race of the Century (Netflix)
Another big Netflix production released last year, this documentary on the 1983 America’s Cup is bursting with iconic footage and up-close interviews with major players including Connor and Bertrand. Even though we all know what happens, it’s still edge of the seat stuff.
Wind (DVD)
It’s impossible to watch the Untold story without referring back to Wind, the 1992 movie telling of how America lost, and won back the Cup. Like any Hollywood interpretation there are a few cringeworthy moments, and I wouldn’t recommend watching it with a sailmaker, but it’s a warm-hearted film with some great 12-Metre race scenes, and the memorable catchphrase “Hoist the Whomper!”.
Maidentrip
This one takes a bit of detective work to find, but the full documentary is hosted online and well worth a watch. In contrast to True Spirit, it’s made up of real videos shot by teen Laura Dekker as she sailed around the world in 2010. Without cinematic production and following Dekker’s stopping route it’s a much less dramatic view of sailing around the world, though no less gripping for it, and a fascinating insight into a remarkable teen.
Maiden (Netflix)
This unflinching documentary film tells the story of Tracy Edwards’ all-female Whitbread Round the World Race campaign, through raw interviews telling of the personality clashes and huge pressures the team were placed under.
It’s an emotional watch, with fantastic footage from the maxi fleets racing midocean: highly recommended.
Deep Water (Amazon Prime)
This critically acclaimed documentary, by the makers of Touching the Void, tells the tale of the 1968 Golden Globe Race and how Donald Crowhurst falsified his position before mysteriously disappearing. There are impressive amounts of original footage to enjoy over 50 years later.
The Mercy (Prime, Apple TV, Disney)
The 2017 cinematic telling of the 1968 Golden Globe Race, in which Colin Firth delivers a stand-out performance as the complex maverick entrant Donald Crowhurst. There’s a strong emphasis on the family narrative to draw in non-sailing viewers, but the yachting scenes were carefully researched and convincing.