''Deep Water'' is a 2006 British

documentary film A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction Film, motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". The American author and ...

directed by Jerry Rothwell and Louise Osmond, and produced by Al Morrow, Jonny Persey and John Smithson. It is based on the true story of British businessman and amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst, as he participated in the ''Sunday Times'' Golden Globe Race, a single-handed, round-the-world yacht race held in 1968–69, during which he disappeared. The film reconstructs Crowhurst's voyage from his own audio tapes and cine film, interwoven with archival footage and interviews.

Production

Smithson had previously produced the successful British documentary, '' Touching the Void'' (2003).

Reception

The film received critical acclaim. The official poster quotes ''

The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was found ...

'', 'A movie which will reduce the hardest of hearts to a shipwreck'. '' Variety'' said "As it explores the limits of human endurance, the pic should suck even land-lubbers into a whirlpool of gripping adventure, overblown ambitions and sheer human folly". It was described as 'fascinating' by ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' upon its release. The film won the Best Documentary award at the 2006

Rome International Film Festival International Rome Film Fest is a film festival that takes place in Rome during the month of October. The name in Italian is Festa del Cinema di Roma. From 2022, the festival was officially recognized as a competitive festival by the Internation ...

and a commendation in the

Australian Film Critics Association The Australian Film Critics Association (AFCA), formerly Melbourne Film Critics' Forum, is an Australian professional association for film critics, film review, reviewers and journalists who work in the media, based in Melbourne. It is a member ...

2007 Film Awards. The film opened in the UK on 15 December 2006 and grossed $122,384. It was released on 24 August 2007 in the United States where it grossed $271,143 and went on to gross $727,202 worldwide.

References

External links

Pathe International - Deep WaterBritish Film Council - Deep Water''Deep Water (2006)''
at the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves filmmaking and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

BFI Collections - Deep Water (2006)Deep Water
site for Independent Lens on PBS * * British documentary films Documentary films about water transport 2006 films Films about water sports 2000s English-language films 2000s British films Films scored by Harry Escott Films scored by Molly Nyman English-language documentary films {{sport-documentary-film-stub