What an amazing human being Robin Knox-Johnson is. A true hero, a kind, compassionate man. He was not a rich man, by any means. But he gave all the prize money to Crowhurst’s family, because “it was the right thing to do.” Amazing, I know it is mentioned in the text at the end of this tragic story, but for me it is one of the most important features, even lessons, for us all. Thank you Robin for being such a great role model.
AT THE SAME TIME......He knew there would be book deals, interviews, and sponsorships that would make that 5 grand or so seek like chump change..probably started getting offers as soon as he stepped onto the hard.....it was a great thing to do, but it bought more in the way of legend impacting sponserxhips that actually made him more money
@@norml.hugh-mann I actually don’t think it was quite as clear cut as you are attempting to portray it. Remember, this was Britain in 1969, not a commercial place at all. Knox-Johnston had already spent all his savings on his boat. Francis Chichester, before him, had not clinched many huge sponsorships or book deals. So he was basically skint, and indeed had to go back to work pretty soon afterwards. £5000 was a lot of money in 1969, and it would be by no means certain he would be able to get equivalent amounts so easily or as quickly as you suggest. Even if he could have, it still doesn’t lower the generosity in my eyes. Remember, Crowhurst was cheating and potentially could have cheated Knox-Johnston out of the prize. But that didn’t cloud his judgement and without question he handed the money to Mrs Crowhurst. I think it was an incredible act, with no equivalent that I know of. I have been fortunate to meet him and Chay Blyth. Both gentlemen are heroes in my eyes. Not just for their achievements but for their humility.
Warmest of blessings to Claire Crowhurst. She had to carry the weight of her own pain, as well as Donald's, and her children's. I really hope she has been able to find some peace.
Men are bloody terrible to women at times. She was an unbelievable wife and most of all Mother. We have to respect women, they are magnificent with children.
@@FannyShmellarit works both ways you know? Some people are just awful to eachother. In this case it was crowhurst doing it to his entire family but many times a woman will be the same to a man and children
A wonderful download and tribute to Donald Crowhurst for his daring to attempt and Robert Knox Johnston for his humanity and absolutely great seamanship and humbleness. Thank Providence he is still with us!
I know this story well, but I realized watching this today that Tetley gave Crowhurst a perfect solution: Crowhurst could have called Mayday (“Help Me”) on the radio when in sight of a ship off Spain or the Azores, prepared his liferaft or dinghy; scuttled his boat by removing a hose on a through hull fitting with an open stopcock, step aboard his dinghy and been rescued. He would have gone home to his family and obscurity with more experience and a second chance; and I doubt the sponsor would have bothered him. Pity.
Considering Tetley's situation was ultimately caused by his deception ... that reality likely accelerated Crowhurst's rapidly declining mental state, rendering unable to recognize it as a possible solution. Or maybe he simply couldn't live with the shame, nor the prospect of lifelong secrecy.
People revile the publicists, but the book (by Nicholas Tomalin) includes many details you don't see in the movie. Donald lied to his sponsors and family during the building phase, telling them everything was going, well, swimmingly. But in fact, he was stiffing suppliers and contractors, failing to show up for design meetings, and leaving them in a desperate state of chaos. The boat was nowhere near finished by the deadline, but only he knew HOW unfinished. He kept all these groups of men separate from one another, thus ensuring that the publicity machine wouldn't discover the truth. It was _he_ who kept pushing his _sponsor_ to stick with it, not the other way round. (The outfitters never did get paid.) Even in the last week, when the financier saw a messy pile of wires on board, Donald assured him he'd have plenty of time to connect them all once underway. Because he had a background in electronic engineering, his sponsors believed him--why not.
Dear Leapinglaura....what do you take from thestory? To me it seems he was a bit Out of Touch with reality...almost delusional, from the start. His intelligence made him believe in ideas and dreams, but he became un tethered from practical reality. In the end, he sacrificed even his family for his desire to be acknowledged for achieving something noteworthy. The price of satisfying our Ego's are very high.
I have an issue accepting that he was fatally egotistical. For me, this story hilights the evil of money. He was 100% leveraged and the race was his only solution. Certainly, there was no shortage of hubris and Dunning Kruger at play here. You are a hero if you roll the dice and win big and a loser if you roll and lose. I just don't think he should have ever picked up the dice to start with. Either way, this is a tragic tale.
Thank you for this story. You can only imagine the desperate sadness of Donald's supporters and family as it became clearer what had happened. From the joy of his rejoining the race and imminent heroic return to the waiting and confusion and then confirmation of finding the abandoned yacht. The day-to-day reality of his family must have been unbearable. The humanity of RKJ is there for us to admire. In a time of few proper heroes, he is one.
This documentary was done very delicately. So many conflicting thoughts and feelings as I watch and empathize with each person in turn. What a tangled mess we weave with our pride and our terror of humiliation.
Even alone in the middle of an ocean, one cannot call their life their own. Loved that Crowhurst had a good friend who described him as a hero when others were so quick to judge him harshly.
@@nativevirginian8344 he wanted to help his family, frankly; in that era, there was much more wonder. He had the ultimate human experience. It hurt. It is one of the saddest and reallest stories. Get a grip.
@@price-singspuccini6124The fact that you stoop to insults says more about you. He was no hero. Heroes go prepared. He ignored every red flag for the sake of notoriety and fame. He didn’t care what effect it would have on his family, he only cared about the spotlight. Hero ?? More like a zero.
@@YoitsmeitsmeitsCairoLeeAGAINI think you have to be an extremely introverted, emotionally self sufficient person to be a sailor. Especially a lone sailor. The sea evokes a loneliness nowhere else does I think. I couldn’t do it at all.
@@SophieJackson1993 It helps when there is a lot of work. And there is, you must constantly check and repair things, or the mast will come down, the rudder gets stuck, you name it. I've read lots of books about these races, we used to have Henk de Velde, a Dutch man. And indeed, he was a professional captain, doing his solo around the world record attemps like it is a job. Long working days, doing every detail the best he can, in fact working hard to give his sponsors value for money. In one of his books he wrote, working on a ship, the work never ends and you simply MUST work hard, you got no choice, your life depends on that ship, so repair it, prevent problems. You see? There is no time for too much thinking and getting confused. Still, he shared the moments the mainsail split in two, he could forget that 100 days world record. He shared his fear, seeing huge surfing waves, 120 feet high, writing this is impossible, some of those okay, but not everywhere he could see, white tops of monster waves, so he steered himself, several days, no sleep, not trusting the autopilot anymore. Yes, these books tell us, sailing the oceans solo, it takes a lot. Being mentally stable is an understatement, you need to cope a lot of stress. But Henk showed, being extravert is possible, he took a video camera with him, doing a video diary. He wrote his paper diary. And on his non-racing travels, he talked a lot with anyone he met. But okay, this Henk was one of the sailing heroes. Maybe his books were translated, you could find out.
Thanks to those who post it. Many years later, I've watched this movie again, and the same tears have rolled down my face. I love how delicate this film is, I just love that final sequence and that music... the feeling of redemption becomes immense... it is a beautiful human history about the worst our existences face along our lives...
I watched this in the morning. Hours later I opened my computer screen to this documentary paused at the end. I just started crying. What an amazing and heart wrenching story. It made me relate to the feeling of unpreparedness and "cowardice" that everyone has felt at least once. I sail and I just recently completed a long distance sail. The ocean is no joke. It took guts to do what each of those men did. I guess the moral of the story is that if you try to deceive others, you will only deceive yourself. What an invigorating documentary. Thank you VASSdesign for uploading! I would have never seen it Otherwise. Thank you!
Finding where you belong and fitting in your own skin, brings peace. Mr Crowhursts demise, although sad, is a poignant and much connected link to the future. His drive for success and celebrity, is rampant today. Thanks you for a very incite full and well made programme.
David Paulides CANAM 411 brought me here. He did a very compassionate feature about Donald Crowhurst. What a beautiful family the Crowhursts are, Donald already had the finest of treasures and the greatest of blessings, very sad.
Thank you for posting this video, I had seen this years ago and I just watched it again. It's a sad thing to watch his son (now an adult) and see him relive those memories. This is a documentary that is worth coming back to watch again after years have passed. It makes you slow down and think about your own life and how our choices effect the ones we love.
Yes, just watched it a second time. An amazing documentary that makes you feel for all involved. Yourself, of course, being put in the center of your own problems. So informative and heartfelt at this impasse of his journey.
Great film I cannot imagine what it must be like to be in those seas all alone on a tiny boat, my heart goes out to the Crowhurst family if only he could have pulled back from the story he'd created before it was too late returned and admitted he'd not been able to continue (which he couldn't have done in that boat as it wouldn't have got through the forties or round the cape) The thought that his sponsor would have ruined him tells you all you need to know about that man. Everyone of those guys that set sail are hero's.
What a tragic story of no doubt an ordinary and good man who finds himself in a situation with no apparent way out, takes what he probably knew was the wrong but expedient path, and life deals another card and threatens to blow his cover. Along with the tragedy of the terrible final outcome of his choices, the real tragedy is the weight of shame left behind for his innocent family to endure for the rest of their lives. Wonderful acts of wisdom and compassion from those in his life afterward. A sobering and almost biblical lesson for all of us should we find ourselves facing similar conundrum.
What a tragic story. Very few win the prize or take the gold in this life ....but show me how many men had the courage to try. In the end he chose truth and for that he is a hero. Rest in Peace Mr. Crowhurst.
I think this documentary shows one thing really. The absolute most important part of a mans life is his family, we are drawn away by ideas and thoughts of adventure, but at the end of the day, they are all that matter.
It’s such a tragic story that I feel so sorry for Donald such that it was fairly obvious he was overtaken by events and had no intention to deceive but was between a rock and a hard place and of course his family , I respect all of them and Robin of course having compassion
The music at the end? Somber and peaceful. Although so long ago, RIP Mr Crowhurst. Prayers to his family and close friends who still mourn his passing...But be of good cheer. He is Home now.
I crossed oceans myself…. THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SAILING MOVIE!! It is about a man who went to sea for the wrong reasons and another one for whom the ocean was the only right place. Moitessier’s sailing scenes are heavenly.
Considering the circumstances, the fact that he was not a sailor on a faulty boat- he actually accomplished a lot! He traversed the Atlantic and reached The siuthern part of Argentina and back again! That is huge!!!!
@@Grinningfartking6969 and he did accomplish a lot- all things considering. He DID cross the Atlantic, in a faulty boat nonatheless. Yes he died, went nuts, wanted to cheat- all that is valid- but at the same time, he did accomplish crossing from the UK all the way down to Argentina.
I read the book The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst in the 1970s (still have it). It is indeed a sad story for all involved. His failure was fatal to him and borne by his family. This documentary is a worthy post script to a tragic story.
I hope I can obtain a copy of that book. The video was what attracted me, because I’ve previously read “Sailing Alone Around the World “ by Joshua Slocum. No tragedies here. Only victories. Looking forward to the next Golden Globe Race!
Wonderful, sad documentary. I always get goosebumps when Moitessier turns his ship around to go further. I read his book. Very interesting. Robin Knox-Johnston is a great man. I am so sad for the Crowhurst family.
Knox Johnston wrote a book about this race too, "a world of my own". he is a great man, but in my opinion the best book about the race is "the strange last voyage of donald crowhurst". god that is a hopeless story, but so so compelling
This was my second movie today about sailing and @ 1:16:49 he writes in his logbook about "cosmic beings" and the same thing was mentioned in the other one, twice. It's quite interesting to hear about ET reaching out when you're in the middle of the Ocean on the high seas...
A beautiful documentary, showing the life and times of people who set out to sea less than a century ago is an extremely difficult thing to convey, the absolute solitary life one is heading to is beyond most peoples understanding nowadays. Thanks for this beautiful piece on a wonderful man who was so horribly conflicted. He held on to the last, and yes he could have scuttled the boat, but he had more dignity than that. I kept saying, out loud, while watching... Just sink it!! Just sink it and go home! He obviously had far more backbone than I do. Thanks for the beautifully told story of this extraordinary man.
ALL MY LOVE TO THE CROWHURST FAMILY. THIS FILM CRUSHED ME. IT'S EASY TO IMAGINE HOW YOU FEEL!!!! FOR FATHER TO STRIKE OUT AND STRUGGLE LIKE THIS. THE STRUGGLE!!!!💪🙏🇺🇸❤
I've lost family, friends, spouse and child too. The hardest part is after. The hopeless rut. The everyday Null. That spiral black hole that is inevitable and inescapable. An event horizon. A Vøid. You poor soul. Isolated and demotivated. You have my sympathy, and my empathy, unlike certain other assumers. I apologise for him. I hope you are well. Your strife is understood friend. Divided by many barriers but in our minds, there are similarities. In our hearts, we know isolatory pain. If I'm honest, I don't even remember what loneliness feels like anymore.
@@Blessed_V0id at one time I had a multimillion dollar tugboat and barge operation with petroleum barges. A series of calamities put it in bankruptcy and now at age 66 I am homeless living in a tiny RV. But I don't regret the experience. I might, just might be getting a subsidized apartment soon.
I started the sport of sailing in 1972 the ocean is just so enormous and relentless with its power it plays tricks on a persons mind so poor Donald it was just too much pressure on him and Sir Knox Johnston and SA sailor Bertie Reed are my mentors i thank you Sir Knox Johnston for your kindness and help
This story of great adventure ended in the death of the protagonist. It was so well put together that I did not know of the death until the end. That is an amazing literary accomplishment.
Having just watched this. It must have been one of the saddest stories I have heard. Donald Crowhurst was a brave man trying to do the right thing. His family and us should remember him as a hero and be proud of him.
a fascinating race. The great Bernard Moitessier was in commanding position to win, then laid off after rounding the Horn and kept going to Tahiti. His stories about Joshua are great reading
Just an incredible story. A tale filled with characters that span a wide cross section of humanity. A truly epic story of triumph and a tragedy. It's a Rorschach test too, it's very telling what you take from this story when you hear/see it.
I won’t ever forget this story. How desperately sad- I wish I could tell mrs crowhurst that it wasn’t her fault- how else should she have replied when he asked her if he should do it? A husband who hadn’t found his niche, hadn’t been able to provide as he wanted, who had a complicated psyche in a society that didn’t like to acknowledge mental health at all- she supported him, loved him, and that’s what people should do. She couldn’t have known he’d deteriorate like that. No one can know, not even now, nearly 60 years later. Humans are resilient AND fragile. And his children- well, I can relate. My mother moved back home to England and set up her life there, but weeks later she’d committed suicide. We all thought she was setting out on a journey and might thrive , might be one of those people who divorce and then find a freer, happier, healthier version of themselves. Instead, she’d lost hope in weeks. A person can set off on a journey, literally or figuratively, with hope and confidence and goals and without ANYONE realizing it they can choose to quit and die. And then the ones left have to come to terms with it, except that never quite seems to happen. No one wins and there aren’t answers that are good enough. And there’s no one to blame, because everyone involved was always doing what they could. This is what life is. We can’t stop everything, can’t prevent everything. You can’t predict perfectly what will happen. We keep ourselves alive by dreaming and hoping. It’s as vital as oxygen, water, food. I love that mrs. Crowhurst said her husband deserved a chance to dream. He did, and he dreamt and he tried. He took the chance- it just went terribly wrong. Everyone meant well. That’s all a person can really try for, I think.
Watched this quite a few years ago but cannot remember the source. Then again during GGR2018 as a refresher. Always leave a like and most of the time a comment! Sir Robin surely needed that 5k pounds but gave it to the Crowhursts. What a living legend.
And when his best friend said he gave Donald a Heroes burial and when I read that Robin Knox-Johnson had give the Crowhurst family the £5,000 prize money.
The poor son, and Robin Knox-Johnston was amazing. And things like this, and COVID, show the substantial differences between introverts and extroverts….what is torture to an extrovert (months of isolation) is just fine to an introvert (who loved it and kept going), and vice versa.
On a practical level, he could’ve put out a Mayday call over the radio, sunk the logs, scuttled the vessel, and sat in his dinghy with his survival suit/life vest and survival kit. Would’ve been fine in the calm Sea of Sargasso. Insurance would’ve paid off the trimaran and he could go home with losing his home and being bankrupt. That would’ve been the pragmatic, logical decision. However, I think the stress of the deception and the prolonged isolation exacerbated his underlying depression and situational anxiety and he just felt completely overwhelmed and just gave up. The human mind breaks past a certain point. Donald was too far gone to think clearly, logically, and rationally. RIP.
I was glad that old dude at the end gave Crowhurst a heroes burial because it was still a huge achievement. Those that have built their own boats know.
The documentary barely talks about him but Nigel Tetley was a bizarre and tragic figure in his own right. After the race, he tried unsuccessfully to raise money to fix his boat so that he could race again, and then ended up dying from autoerotic asphyxiation. The photo of him eating Christmas dinner alone on his boat always gets me.
@@markpurnell7437 I had originally thought that he hung himself out of despair, since he couldn't pull together the funds to repair his vessel. But it would seem that he was found hanged and wearing lingerie. With the Western epidemic of suicide, one has to wonder how many "suicides" were actually autoerotic misadventures.
His poor family. He was lucky to have them, for the brief time that he did. If only he'd realized he ALREADY had the greatest good fortune a man could obtain.
I totally agree and have previously expressed similar sentiments on other vlogs covering Donald’s adventures. I truly think the Crowhurst family grew to become remarkable adults because they were so ably guided and supported by their mother single handed.
I could relate to his Sons emotions, because my father and I were sailing in Hawaii when I was 12 or so, and I thought he was going to be Electrocuted right in front of my eyes when our anchor Snagged a Power line. My life flashed before my eyes. Luckily it was only a Phone line! His name was ironically "Donald" as well.Made me realize how much I loved my Father....like Donalds Son..im certain. Cant imagine what that mustve been like growing up without Dad.
I was 17 when this race was held, I vaguely remember, but maybe it wasn't as big news here in USA because it seems most sailers were from Europe . Great story, thanks for kick starting this old mind of mine.
Una historia increíble, por todo lo que rodea a Donald. Luchar por un sueño, una idea, una ilusión para el y su familia. Lastima no hay una versión en español. Gracias por compartir este documental saludos desde Uruguay
Miksi se pittää tänne tulla espanijaa hölöttämmään? Perkele elokuva on englanninkielinen. Nettisivu on englanninkielinen. Kommenttikenttä on saatana englanninkielinen. Niin että mitä vittua nyt taas?
17:05 John Eastwood smashing the champagne bottle by hand (a bad omen for sailors). John built the Teignmouth Electron, based on Donald’s design. The hatches were a major issue PRIOR to the voyage. There was a shortage of the soft rubber needed to create watertight seals. Donald never stood a chance.
There are many fascinating stories to read and I have read very few. I found an old paperback for cheap at a book sale. As I am a flatlander I've always been fascinated by sailing and stories about voyagers. Upon reading this book I found myself becoming more curious about the human mind and less about sailing. To this day this is the most spooky story I have ever read and any videos I see just enhance that feeling.😱💖🐻🌏🌠👩🦳🇨🇦
"Whose husband did you arrive with?" "You will marry an impossible man, but will be greatly loved." I just loved hearing these 'meet cute-love at first sight-proposal within a week' anecdotes that people of older generation experience. I know this is more of a heartbreaking story but that part is just so sweet.
I read a book on this called the Voyage of Madmen fantastic book and this is also a great documentary. It is a crazy and sad story and feel for the Crowhurst family. I would actually like to see it be turned into a movie focusing on all of the sailors stories, it would make a great movie.
Yeah he was willing to give his life for his dream; face terrible threats at sea , alone and feeling like a failure. If it were not for his minds turn to fantasy, his life perhaps wouldn’t have become ‘known’ for that lie that he could not live with. His friend knew that he had truly accomplished something in his boat design as well as having the courage to reach for his dream but saw the fatal riff caused by the lie. He knew the lie was a mistake : he shouldn’t have lied about the boat being ready nor his nautical position. How wrong he felt is displayed in the losing of his rational mind and ego-driven pressure to seal his fate by disappearance.
When Chichester saw the mileages and together with the fact that the boat was not tested and DC's poor seamanship, he knew right away what was going on...
Offshore sailing , done a little but I would never underestimate the challenge. Even taken seriously, the danger is extremely real and any mistake will quickly swallow you. The ocean is absolutely relentless.
sailing solo around the world is plain crazy...holding that champagne bottle on both ends and smashing it against the hull must be a close second...
What an amazing human being Robin Knox-Johnson is. A true hero, a kind, compassionate man. He was not a rich man, by any means. But he gave all the prize money to Crowhurst’s family, because “it was the right thing to do.” Amazing, I know it is mentioned in the text at the end of this tragic story, but for me it is one of the most important features, even lessons, for us all. Thank you Robin for being such a great role model.
Agreed
Agreed
AT THE SAME TIME......He knew there would be book deals, interviews, and sponsorships that would make that 5 grand or so seek like chump change..probably started getting offers as soon as he stepped onto the hard.....it was a great thing to do, but it bought more in the way of legend impacting sponserxhips that actually made him more money
@@norml.hugh-mann I actually don’t think it was quite as clear cut as you are attempting to portray it. Remember, this was Britain in 1969, not a commercial place at all. Knox-Johnston had already spent all his savings on his boat. Francis Chichester, before him, had not clinched many huge sponsorships or book deals. So he was basically skint, and indeed had to go back to work pretty soon afterwards. £5000 was a lot of money in 1969, and it would be by no means certain he would be able to get equivalent amounts so easily or as quickly as you suggest. Even if he could have, it still doesn’t lower the generosity in my eyes. Remember, Crowhurst was cheating and potentially could have cheated Knox-Johnston out of the prize. But that didn’t cloud his judgement and without question he handed the money to Mrs Crowhurst. I think it was an incredible act, with no equivalent that I know of. I have been fortunate to meet him and Chay Blyth. Both gentlemen are heroes in my eyes. Not just for their achievements but for their humility.
so very very true ✨✨♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️✨
Warmest of blessings to Claire Crowhurst.
She had to carry the weight of her own pain, as well as Donald's, and her children's.
I really hope she has been able to find some peace.
Really ?..she was culpable of his murder !!! ... But her plum-in-the-mouth posh upper class twat nature stopped her saving her husband 🤬
She died in 2019. RIP.
Men are bloody terrible to women at times. She was an unbelievable wife and most of all Mother. We have to respect women, they are magnificent with children.
@@FannyShmellarit works both ways you know? Some people are just awful to eachother. In this case it was crowhurst doing it to his entire family but many times a woman will be the same to a man and children
A wonderful download and tribute to Donald Crowhurst for his daring to attempt and Robert Knox Johnston for his humanity and absolutely great seamanship and humbleness. Thank Providence he is still with us!
I know this story well, but I realized watching this today that Tetley gave Crowhurst a perfect solution: Crowhurst could have called Mayday (“Help Me”) on the radio when in sight of a ship off Spain or the Azores, prepared his liferaft or dinghy; scuttled his boat by removing a hose on a through hull fitting with an open stopcock, step aboard his dinghy and been rescued. He would have gone home to his family and obscurity with more experience and a second chance; and I doubt the sponsor would have bothered him. Pity.
well in that scenario I suppose he doesn't take his log with him, rolled up under his arm, onto the rescue vessel?
@@brokenrecord3095 "Er, you'll never believe this. I forgot to bring it with me."
@@brokenrecord3095he could've thrown it in the water since his boat was sinking things can be lost
Considering Tetley's situation was ultimately caused by his deception ... that reality likely accelerated Crowhurst's rapidly declining mental state, rendering unable to recognize it as a possible solution. Or maybe he simply couldn't live with the shame, nor the prospect of lifelong secrecy.
@@SomethingVISCIDthis
People revile the publicists, but the book (by Nicholas Tomalin) includes many details you don't see in the movie. Donald lied to his sponsors and family during the building phase, telling them everything was going, well, swimmingly.
But in fact, he was stiffing suppliers and contractors, failing to show up for design meetings, and leaving them in a desperate state of chaos. The boat was nowhere near finished by the deadline, but only he knew HOW unfinished.
He kept all these groups of men separate from one another, thus ensuring that the publicity machine wouldn't discover the truth. It was _he_ who kept pushing his _sponsor_ to stick with it, not the other way round. (The outfitters never did get paid.)
Even in the last week, when the financier saw a messy pile of wires on board, Donald assured him he'd have plenty of time to connect them all once underway. Because he had a background in electronic engineering, his sponsors believed him--why not.
Dear Leapinglaura....what do you take from thestory?
To me it seems he was a bit Out of Touch with reality...almost delusional, from the start. His intelligence made him believe in ideas and dreams, but he became un tethered from practical reality. In the end, he sacrificed even his family for his desire to be acknowledged for achieving something noteworthy.
The price of satisfying our Ego's are very high.
@GloryDaze73 You stated it best- - the price we pay for our egos!
I have an issue accepting that he was fatally egotistical. For me, this story hilights the evil of money. He was 100% leveraged and the race was his only solution. Certainly, there was no shortage of hubris and Dunning Kruger at play here.
You are a hero if you roll the dice and win big and a loser if you roll and lose. I just don't think he should have ever picked up the dice to start with.
Either way, this is a tragic tale.
Thank you for this story. You can only imagine the desperate sadness of Donald's supporters and family as it became clearer what had happened. From the joy of his rejoining the race and imminent heroic return to the waiting and confusion and then confirmation of finding the abandoned yacht. The day-to-day reality of his family must have been unbearable. The humanity of RKJ is there for us to admire. In a time of few proper heroes, he is one.
This documentary was done very delicately. So many conflicting thoughts and feelings as I watch and empathize with each person in turn. What a tangled mess we weave with our pride and our terror of humiliation.
Indeed! They did a decent job telling the story in the 2017 movie “The Mercy” starring Colin Firth as Crowhurst.
@@vassdesign9021 Yes
Even alone in the middle of an ocean, one cannot call their life their own. Loved that Crowhurst had a good friend who described him as a hero when others were so quick to judge him harshly.
Love, your comment. What a story.
He was no hero. What a stupid thing to lose your life over.
@@nativevirginian8344 he wanted to help his family, frankly; in that era, there was much more wonder. He had the ultimate human experience. It hurt. It is one of the saddest and reallest stories.
Get a grip.
@@nativevirginian8344 guess you’ve never had a sense for adventure or to challenge yourself..
@@price-singspuccini6124The fact that you stoop to insults says more about you. He was no hero. Heroes go prepared. He ignored every red flag for the sake of notoriety and fame. He didn’t care what effect it would have on his family, he only cared about the spotlight. Hero ?? More like a zero.
I thought I could make it through this without crying, but the ending has me all choked up. I feel immense empathy towards that poor man.
Mans sanity slipped through his fingers like running water from a tap…
@@YoitsmeitsmeitsCairoLeeAGAINI think you have to be an extremely introverted, emotionally self sufficient person to be a sailor. Especially a lone sailor. The sea evokes a loneliness nowhere else does I think. I couldn’t do it at all.
@@SophieJackson1993 I got all those qualities and even I think it’d be hard to do a one man sailing trip around the sea.
@@SophieJackson1993 It helps when there is a lot of work. And there is, you must constantly check and repair things, or the mast will come down, the rudder gets stuck, you name it. I've read lots of books about these races, we used to have Henk de Velde, a Dutch man. And indeed, he was a professional captain, doing his solo around the world record attemps like it is a job. Long working days, doing every detail the best he can, in fact working hard to give his sponsors value for money. In one of his books he wrote, working on a ship, the work never ends and you simply MUST work hard, you got no choice, your life depends on that ship, so repair it, prevent problems. You see? There is no time for too much thinking and getting confused. Still, he shared the moments the mainsail split in two, he could forget that 100 days world record. He shared his fear, seeing huge surfing waves, 120 feet high, writing this is impossible, some of those okay, but not everywhere he could see, white tops of monster waves, so he steered himself, several days, no sleep, not trusting the autopilot anymore. Yes, these books tell us, sailing the oceans solo, it takes a lot. Being mentally stable is an understatement, you need to cope a lot of stress. But Henk showed, being extravert is possible, he took a video camera with him, doing a video diary. He wrote his paper diary. And on his non-racing travels, he talked a lot with anyone he met. But okay, this Henk was one of the sailing heroes. Maybe his books were translated, you could find out.
Moving and beautifully made. All of us are this gentleman at sea.
D.E.P. Donald.
Thanks to those who post it. Many years later, I've watched this movie again, and the same tears have rolled down my face. I love how delicate this film is, I just love that final sequence and that music... the feeling of redemption becomes immense... it is a beautiful human history about the worst our existences face along our lives...
I watched this in the morning. Hours later I opened my computer screen to this documentary paused at the end. I just started crying. What an amazing and heart wrenching story. It made me relate to the feeling of unpreparedness and "cowardice" that everyone has felt at least once. I sail and I just recently completed a long distance sail. The ocean is no joke. It took guts to do what each of those men did. I guess the moral of the story is that if you try to deceive others, you will only deceive yourself.
What an invigorating documentary. Thank you VASSdesign for uploading! I would have never seen it Otherwise. Thank you!
No prob! It had the same affect on me. One of the reasons I posted it on my channel. Thanks for commenting!
Why lie dude?
@@garymitchell5899 lol yeah, that's the point
In the end, he discovered the trance. Pride, vs. humility.
I’m sorry. Suffering, and pain changes people.
Finding where you belong and fitting in your own skin, brings peace. Mr Crowhursts demise, although sad, is a poignant and much connected link to the future. His drive for success and celebrity, is rampant today.
Thanks you for a very incite full and well made programme.
David Paulides CANAM 411 brought me here. He did a very compassionate feature about Donald Crowhurst. What a beautiful family the Crowhursts are, Donald already had the finest of treasures and the greatest of blessings, very sad.
Everyone deserves a friend like Ron Winspear
Hear hear!!!!
had me in tears
Be that friend and person with everyone you meet and your life will become one of extraordinary good fortune.
Thank you for posting this video, I had seen this years ago and I just watched it again. It's a sad thing to watch his son (now an adult) and see him relive those memories. This is a documentary that is worth coming back to watch again after years have passed. It makes you slow down and think about your own life and how our choices effect the ones we love.
No prob! Needed to be shared. Have you seen the movie adaptation? It’s pretty good. It’s called “The Mercy”
Yes, just watched it a second time. An amazing documentary that makes you feel for all involved. Yourself, of course, being put in the center of your own problems. So informative and heartfelt at this impasse of his journey.
Great film I cannot imagine what it must be like to be in those seas all alone on a tiny boat, my heart goes out to the Crowhurst family if only he could have pulled back from the story he'd created before it was too late returned and admitted he'd not been able to continue (which he couldn't have done in that boat as it wouldn't have got through the forties or round the cape) The thought that his sponsor would have ruined him tells you all you need to know about that man. Everyone of those guys that set sail are hero's.
I watched this documentary last year and loved it. Watched it again today and 23 commercials in the span of 90mins is crazy. UA-cam is fading.
@@thedingothatateyourbaby9811 totally agree.
I've watched this twice over the time it came out, so it's given me time to forget a lot and watch it a third time with some wonder still.
What a tragic story of no doubt an ordinary and good man who finds himself in a situation with no apparent way out, takes what he probably knew was the wrong but expedient path, and life deals another card and threatens to blow his cover. Along with the tragedy of the terrible final outcome of his choices, the real tragedy is the weight of shame left behind for his innocent family to endure for the rest of their lives. Wonderful acts of wisdom and compassion from those in his life afterward. A sobering and almost biblical lesson for all of us should we find ourselves facing similar conundrum.
you put it perfectly, yes, how very wise your words are, thank you. God bless
What a tragic story. Very few win the prize or take the gold in this life ....but show me how many men had the courage to try. In the end he chose truth and for that he is a hero. Rest in Peace Mr. Crowhurst.
This is by far a one of a a kind documentary with Quality
I think this documentary shows one thing really. The absolute most important part of a mans life is his family, we are drawn away by ideas and thoughts of adventure, but at the end of the day, they are all that matter.
unless you're bernard moitessier who abandoned his wife and children to pick up an Island woman...
Family is the greatest adventure.
Buuut, Tahiti does sound nice.
That was an absolutely heartbreaking story. I knew the basics, but the human component is devastating.
I first heard of this story about 5 years ago, and its haunted me ever since. I just hope that his children have found peace.
It’s such a tragic story that I feel so sorry for Donald such that it was fairly obvious he was overtaken by events and had no intention to deceive but was between a rock and a hard place and of course his family , I respect all of them and Robin of course having compassion
The music at the end? Somber and peaceful. Although so long ago, RIP Mr Crowhurst. Prayers to his family and close friends who still mourn his passing...But be of good cheer. He is Home now.
I crossed oceans myself…. THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SAILING MOVIE!! It is about a man who went to sea for the wrong reasons and another one for whom the ocean was the only right place. Moitessier’s sailing scenes are heavenly.
Considering the circumstances, the fact that he was not a sailor on a faulty boat- he actually accomplished a lot! He traversed the Atlantic and reached The siuthern part of Argentina and back again! That is huge!!!!
it was at the time the longest singlehanded trimaran journey ever. -except for Tetley, who sailed a similiar boat in the same race
@@brokenrecord3095 yeah si the guy deserves some mad respect!
You can accomplish a lot when handed a boat. It's ironic and nothing was accomplished he died a embarrassing shell of a man with no grasp of reality
@@Grinningfartking6969 and he did accomplish a lot- all things considering. He DID cross the Atlantic, in a faulty boat nonatheless. Yes he died, went nuts, wanted to cheat- all that is valid- but at the same time, he did accomplish crossing from the UK all the way down to Argentina.
@@Grinningfartking6969 this case is not so black and white as you see it- I certainly don’t see it that way.
I read the book The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst in the 1970s (still have it).
It is indeed a sad story for all involved. His failure was fatal to him and borne by his family.
This documentary is a worthy post script to a tragic story.
I hope I can obtain a copy of that book. The video was what attracted me, because I’ve previously read “Sailing Alone Around the World “ by Joshua Slocum. No tragedies here. Only victories. Looking forward to the next Golden Globe Race!
Wonderful, sad documentary. I always get goosebumps when Moitessier turns his ship around to go further. I read his book. Very interesting. Robin Knox-Johnston is a great man. I am so sad for the Crowhurst family.
Knox Johnston wrote a book about this race too, "a world of my own". he is a great man, but in my opinion the best book about the race is "the strange last voyage of donald crowhurst". god that is a hopeless story, but so so compelling
@@brokenrecord3095 Thank you!
This makes me cry, every time I see it.
An essential documentary ! One of the most riveting stories ever lived ! heartbreaking !
This was my second movie today about sailing and @ 1:16:49 he writes in his logbook about "cosmic beings" and the same thing was mentioned in the other one, twice. It's quite interesting to hear about ET reaching out when you're in the middle of the Ocean on the high seas...
A beautiful documentary, showing the life and times of people who set out to sea less than a century ago is an extremely difficult thing to convey, the absolute solitary life one is heading to is beyond most peoples understanding nowadays.
Thanks for this beautiful piece on a wonderful man who was so horribly conflicted. He held on to the last, and yes he could have scuttled the boat, but he had more dignity than that. I kept saying, out loud, while watching... Just sink it!! Just sink it and go home! He obviously had far more backbone than I do.
Thanks for the beautifully told story of this extraordinary man.
ALL MY LOVE TO THE CROWHURST FAMILY. THIS FILM CRUSHED ME. IT'S EASY TO IMAGINE HOW YOU FEEL!!!! FOR FATHER TO STRIKE OUT AND STRUGGLE LIKE THIS.
THE STRUGGLE!!!!💪🙏🇺🇸❤
This is one of the saddest stories I have ever heard. On the other hand I have known people who have lost all and had to start over. I'm one of them.
Gut wrenching
John is clearly a narcissist.
@@garymitchell5899 I'm really not sure how you came to that conclusion
I've lost family, friends, spouse and child too.
The hardest part is after. The hopeless rut. The everyday Null. That spiral black hole that is inevitable and inescapable. An event horizon. A Vøid.
You poor soul. Isolated and demotivated.
You have my sympathy, and my empathy, unlike certain other assumers. I apologise for him.
I hope you are well. Your strife is understood friend. Divided by many barriers but in our minds, there are similarities. In our hearts, we know isolatory pain. If I'm honest, I don't even remember what loneliness feels like anymore.
@@Blessed_V0id at one time I had a multimillion dollar tugboat and barge operation with petroleum barges. A series of calamities put it in bankruptcy and now at age 66 I am homeless living in a tiny RV. But I don't regret the experience. I might, just might be getting a subsidized apartment soon.
I started the sport of sailing in 1972 the ocean is just so enormous and relentless with its power it plays tricks on a persons mind so poor Donald it was just too much pressure on him and Sir Knox Johnston and SA sailor Bertie Reed are my mentors i thank you Sir Knox Johnston for your kindness and help
This story of great adventure ended in the death of the protagonist. It was so well put together that I did not know of the death until the end. That is an amazing literary accomplishment.
Having just watched this. It must have been one of the saddest stories I have heard. Donald Crowhurst was a brave man trying to do the right thing. His family and us should remember him as a hero and be proud of him.
a fascinating race. The great Bernard Moitessier was in commanding position to win, then laid off after rounding the Horn and kept going to Tahiti. His stories about Joshua are great reading
Really good. Moving.
An absolutely brilliant film! Start to end. Thanks for sharing it.
… which more than I can say about Mr. Crowhurst.
Such a great story.
Best documentary on the story by far. I’ve seen two before after you told me about the story, maybe it was after you mentioned this movie.
Just an incredible story. A tale filled with characters that span a wide cross section of humanity. A truly epic story of triumph and a tragedy. It's a Rorschach test too, it's very telling what you take from this story when you hear/see it.
I won’t ever forget this story. How desperately sad- I wish I could tell mrs crowhurst that it wasn’t her fault- how else should she have replied when he asked her if he should do it? A husband who hadn’t found his niche, hadn’t been able to provide as he wanted, who had a complicated psyche in a society that didn’t like to acknowledge mental health at all- she supported him, loved him, and that’s what people should do. She couldn’t have known he’d deteriorate like that. No one can know, not even now, nearly 60 years later. Humans are resilient AND fragile. And his children- well, I can relate. My mother moved back home to England and set up her life there, but weeks later she’d committed suicide. We all thought she was setting out on a journey and might thrive , might be one of those people who divorce and then find a freer, happier, healthier version of themselves. Instead, she’d lost hope in weeks. A person can set off on a journey, literally or figuratively, with hope and confidence and goals and without ANYONE realizing it they can choose to quit and die. And then the ones left have to come to terms with it, except that never quite seems to happen. No one wins and there aren’t answers that are good enough. And there’s no one to blame, because everyone involved was always doing what they could. This is what life is. We can’t stop everything, can’t prevent everything. You can’t predict perfectly what will happen. We keep ourselves alive by dreaming and hoping. It’s as vital as oxygen, water, food. I love that mrs. Crowhurst said her husband deserved a chance to dream. He did, and he dreamt and he tried. He took the chance- it just went terribly wrong. Everyone meant well. That’s all a person can really try for, I think.
X
A sane person would've not had tried to sail around the world
God bless his family and his dear friend. So kind of the winner to give the prize money to the Crowhurst family.
Dear Mrs Crowhurst, our compassionate thoughts are with you and your children who had to live through all this. Love is what remains.
I’d never heard of this story until today. Just tragic, very sad.
I had this book at a beach cabin that had no tv and read it over and over on stormy days
A totally heart breaking story .
God bless him .
With all due respect, he was a coward and a confidence man.
Nothing more. Much less in fact.
@@kastaway2my aren't we superior. And with the added gall of thinking we're qualified to judge the inferiority of others.
Disgusting
a very compelling story, but ultimately one of human tragedy.
it's better to try and fail, than to never try at all.
But maybe NOT the case for Mr. Crowhurst? Would have ended much better for him and his family had he NOT tried, I believe. Hard to say...
Watched this quite a few years ago but cannot remember the source. Then again during GGR2018 as a refresher. Always leave a like and most of the time a comment! Sir Robin surely needed that 5k pounds but gave it to the Crowhursts. What a living legend.
The most touching part of this Doc was towards the end....when his son almost cried...
And when his best friend said he gave Donald a Heroes burial and when I read that Robin Knox-Johnson had give the Crowhurst family the £5,000 prize money.
The signs he was suffering mentally were there you can see the stress he’s under...Poor Guy
Thank you for sharing this, I was unable to find this on any streaming service few years ago and now it showed up on google. What a tragic story.
The poor son, and Robin Knox-Johnston was amazing. And things like this, and COVID, show the substantial differences between introverts and extroverts….what is torture to an extrovert (months of isolation) is just fine to an introvert (who loved it and kept going), and vice versa.
what a story! thank you for uploading this. simply amazing story.
On a practical level, he could’ve put out a Mayday call over the radio, sunk the logs, scuttled the vessel, and sat in his dinghy with his survival suit/life vest and survival kit. Would’ve been fine in the calm Sea of Sargasso. Insurance would’ve paid off the trimaran and he could go home with losing his home and being bankrupt. That would’ve been the pragmatic, logical decision.
However, I think the stress of the deception and the prolonged isolation exacerbated his underlying depression and situational anxiety and he just felt completely overwhelmed and just gave up. The human mind breaks past a certain point. Donald was too far gone to think clearly, logically, and rationally. RIP.
It's ironic. Donald Crowhurst didn't survive single handed, but it was left to his wife to raise four children--single handed. Life is hard.
Well put
I was glad that old dude at the end gave Crowhurst a heroes burial because it was still a huge achievement. Those that have built their own boats know.
Indeed.
So true
Had Tetley's boat not sunk... He must of been crushed when he heard the news... The anguish, the desperation, the loneliness and the helplessness...
The documentary barely talks about him but Nigel Tetley was a bizarre and tragic figure in his own right. After the race, he tried unsuccessfully to raise money to fix his boat so that he could race again, and then ended up dying from autoerotic asphyxiation. The photo of him eating Christmas dinner alone on his boat always gets me.
@@coachbombay7576 Maybe I don't remember it correctly but I thought he hanged himself out of distress (per "Voyage..Madmen")
But I do agree that he thought Crowhurst was in contention and unnecessarily overworked his boat
@@markpurnell7437 I had originally thought that he hung himself out of despair, since he couldn't pull together the funds to repair his vessel. But it would seem that he was found hanged and wearing lingerie.
With the Western epidemic of suicide, one has to wonder how many "suicides" were actually autoerotic misadventures.
Such a sad story. Thank you for sharing
I read a book recently regarding this race..amazing story.
So many legends in this video. Chay Blyth was in the Parachute Regiment and was also a competitor in this race. He had NEVER sailed before.
Fascinating film and a riveting presentation of the story.
Moitessier became as one with the sea. To loose is to win. I'd like to see a companion doc on all the men and their journeys. Thanks for sharing this.
Thankyou for making this. Wonderful.
Very touching, remarkable story
Feelings. Endearment. Abandonment. Risks. Time.
It’s all synthetic and it blows your mind. Pride. Vs. humility.
Not that black n white friend
@@joanpascal7745 fear vs love ?
His poor family. He was lucky to have them, for the brief time that he did.
If only he'd realized he ALREADY had the greatest good fortune a man could obtain.
I totally agree and have previously expressed similar sentiments on other vlogs covering Donald’s adventures. I truly think the Crowhurst family grew to become remarkable adults because they were so ably guided and supported by their mother single handed.
So true.
Had the honour of once sailing with Knox-Johnston. I’d follow that man through the Gates of Hell 🌊⛵️
Ill just say, Condolences to the family.
Came to this doco after New Zealand musician (band: The Mockers) and solo sailer Andrew Fagan recommended it
I could relate to his Sons emotions, because my father and I were sailing in Hawaii when I was 12 or so, and I thought he was going to be Electrocuted right in front of my eyes when our anchor Snagged a Power line. My life flashed before my eyes. Luckily it was only a Phone line! His name was ironically "Donald" as well.Made me realize how much I loved my Father....like Donalds Son..im certain. Cant imagine what that mustve been like growing up without Dad.
I was 17 when this race was held, I vaguely remember, but maybe it wasn't as big news here in USA because it seems most sailers were from Europe . Great story, thanks for kick starting this old mind of mine.
6 Brits, 2 French and 1 Italian.
This is a great documentary, many thanks 👍
Una historia increíble, por todo lo que rodea a Donald. Luchar por un sueño, una idea, una ilusión para el y su familia. Lastima no hay una versión en español. Gracias por compartir este documental saludos desde Uruguay
Miksi se pittää tänne tulla espanijaa hölöttämmään? Perkele elokuva on englanninkielinen. Nettisivu on englanninkielinen. Kommenttikenttä on saatana englanninkielinen. Niin että mitä vittua nyt taas?
Such a brave soul. Life is hard.
17:05 John Eastwood smashing the champagne bottle by hand (a bad omen for sailors). John built the Teignmouth Electron, based on Donald’s design.
The hatches were a major issue PRIOR to the voyage. There was a shortage of the soft rubber needed to create watertight seals. Donald never stood a chance.
There are many fascinating stories to read and I have read very few. I found an old paperback for cheap at a book sale. As I am a flatlander I've always been fascinated by sailing and stories about voyagers. Upon reading this book I found myself becoming more curious about the human mind and less about sailing. To this day this is the most spooky story I have ever read and any videos I see just enhance that feeling.😱💖🐻🌏🌠👩🦳🇨🇦
The Nick Drake music in the background is perfect.
Amazing story
"Whose husband did you arrive with?" "You will marry an impossible man, but will be greatly loved."
I just loved hearing these 'meet cute-love at first sight-proposal within a week' anecdotes that people of older generation experience. I know this is more of a heartbreaking story but that part is just so sweet.
I read a book on this called the Voyage of Madmen fantastic book and this is also a great documentary. It is a crazy and sad story and feel for the Crowhurst family. I would actually like to see it be turned into a movie focusing on all of the sailors stories, it would make a great movie.
Indeed, Voyage of Madmen is a great book and the only one I can recall finishing on the same day I started it.
Dreams become nightmares very quickly when you set your sights on the impossible, poor man .
Yeah he was willing to give his life for his dream; face terrible threats at sea , alone and feeling like a failure. If it were not for his minds turn to fantasy, his life perhaps wouldn’t have become ‘known’ for that lie that he could not live with. His friend knew that he had truly accomplished something in his boat design as well as having the courage to reach for his dream but saw the fatal riff caused by the lie. He knew the lie was a mistake : he shouldn’t have lied about the boat being ready nor his nautical position. How wrong he felt is displayed in the losing of his rational mind and ego-driven pressure to seal his fate by disappearance.
The poor man did not know what he was doing, he should never have been allowed to leave in that boat.
15:45 “ he would have left earlier” absolutely brilliant! 😂
What a Tale , shows how us as Humans work , has everything involved , Money ,Emotions , dignity , and much more . to me they Were all HEROS .
What a story!
Isn’t it! They made a film about Crowhurst in 2017 called The Mercy, with Colin Firth
When Chichester saw the mileages and together with the fact that the boat was not tested and DC's poor seamanship, he knew right away what was going on...
Nigel Tetley also committed suicide some years later. Sad story.
What a fantastic story thank you.
Crowhurst left a family to face what he could not!
Well, he got them the money, didn't he? He came through.
I like how you have DCS content and this... that's awesome
Hahaha, yeah odd mix. Glad you appreciate both !
Offshore sailing , done a little but I would never underestimate the challenge. Even taken seriously, the danger is extremely real and any mistake will quickly swallow you. The ocean is absolutely relentless.
i caught this many years ago . m
just a fantastic true story .
So much pressure on him! Tragic story.⛵
It shows that men often feel their ability to earn money is more important than family, and love. Earn well, or die.
The weight of inevitability can sometimes be overwhelming...