Deep Water

Play trailer

Deep Water

PG

2007

1h 33m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In 1968, Donald Crowhurst, an inexperienced British sailor, puts up his home as collateral, gains financial backing and enters the Golden Globe, the first nonstop boat race around the world. Under dire financial pressure, Crowhurst decides to set sail before his boat is fully built, leaving it unprepared for the stresses of the open ocean. Crowhurst is under-prepared himself, and his decision to embark before he and his vessel are ready sets a deadly chain of events into motion.

Critics Consensus

Equal parts mystery and biography, Deep Water is both an engrossing documentary and an affecting treatise on human folly and obsession.

Read Critics Reviews

Jason Anderson

Globe and Mail

The details just get stranger and stranger.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 4, 2008

Full Review

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

As directed by Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell, the movie breezes along at a highly watchable clip, thanks to fluid, affecting intercutting of archival, black-and-white footage and present-day interviews.

Nov 3, 2007

Full Review

Toddy Burton

Austin Chronicle

The film evokes a visceral understanding of solitude at sea.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 26, 2007

Full Review

Blake French

Filmcritic.com

engaging

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 2, 2009

Full Review

Austin Kennedy

Sin Magazine

I do think the movie loses focus at times, but nevertheless, this is a pretty interesting story into madness.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 22, 2008

Full Review

Jim Lane

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 4/5

Aug 7, 2008

Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

1 hour and 33 minutes of real footage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Incidental Smoking, Thematic Elements and Mild Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $270,500.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Kyle M

Flows similarly in the veins of "Touching the Void" with eventual thickening engagement once the factually rejuvenated story unfolds towards its mystical circumstances that solely compelled this form. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/22/24

Full Review

Audience Member

You wince watching this as you quickly realise this all going to go horribly wrong. Not overly dramatic but interesting to pass the time.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The perfect accompaniment to James Marsh's film 'The Mercy'. Watch 'The Mercy' first. To complete the experience I recommend you also read 'The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst', by Nicholas Tomalin.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's an amazing documentary about the life of Bernard Crowhurst, namely his attempt to sail around the world in a race. It has extremely high production value and the mixture of old footage, newer interviews and someone reading aloud his journal entries from race time. Attempting to sail around takes big b*lls, and hence I think he must be respected for that. This is such a good intriguing watch that's entertaining from beginning to end.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

My favourite documentary and one of my all-time favourite films. Story is incredible and told brilliantly, and now I can't wait for The Mercy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Louise Osmond

Director

Jerry Rothwell

Director

Tilda Swinton

Narrator

Louise Osmond

Writer

Jerry Rothwell

Writer

Nina Kellgren

Cinematographer

Morning Light

29%

50%

Morning Light

Watchlist

Who Killed the Electric Car?

89%

84%

Who Killed the Electric Car?

Watchlist

Trudell

31%

76%

Trudell

Watchlist

My Date With Drew

71%

57%

My Date With Drew

Watchlist

Step Into Liquid

81%

92%

Step Into Liquid

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood Top Critics’ Lists in Toronto, San Diego, Austin

Critical Consensus: Champ Is No Chump; Nanny Is Dire, Bean is No Holiday, Dawn Needs Rescue

View more photos

Synopsis

In 1968, Donald Crowhurst, an inexperienced British sailor, puts up his home as collateral, gains financial backing and enters the Golden Globe, the first nonstop boat race around the world. Under dire financial pressure, Crowhurst decides to set sail before his boat is fully built, leaving it unprepared for the stresses of the open ocean. Crowhurst is under-prepared himself, and his decision to embark before he and his vessel are ready sets a deadly chain of events into motion.

Director: Louise Osmond, Jerry Rothwell
Screenwriter: Louise Osmond, Jerry Rothwell
Distributor: IFC Films
Rating: PG (Incidental Smoking|Thematic Elements|Mild Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 24, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $270.5K
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now