The Mercy is a historical drama about sailor Donald Crowhurst’s bid to sail the world non-stop in 1968

ANYONE who saw the 2006 documentary Deep Water, about sailor Donald Crowhurst, will already know how this Colin Firth movie ends.

That, though, will not take away from the compelling historical drama of Crowhurst’s foolhardy bid to sail solo and non-stop round the world in 1968.

2

This is one of those “why-oh-why?” movies where you want to turn away from the terrible decisions unfolding on screen – but can’t.

With great effect, it cuts between Firth as Crowhurst going slowly mad on his leaky boat and the family he left back at home in Devon for more than seven months.

It is the bright-eyed child actors who really stir the emotions, though, rather than the soggy Firth or the listless Rachel Weisz as his wife Clare.

MOST READ IN FILM

NO MORE BLUES

What we know about Duncan James' boyfriend Rodrigo Reis

ANIMAL MAGIC

The tragic true story of Hagrid’s dog Fang - who was abandoned by cruel owner

AMMONITES OF PASSION

Kate Winslet on same-sex romps and 'lesbian' row in new film Ammonite

STUNT LEGEND

A look at the life of stunt man Jery Hewitt

2

Even when Donald really loses it, Firth is more wind- swept than gale force.

And The Mercy never really gets to the bottom of what drove Donald to dream such dangerous dreams, or explores the idea of the great British adventurer.

Instead, Cornish director James Marsh avoids such depths, opting for the safe route of blaming others for the mariner’s misery.

Mercy

(12A) 102mins

★★★☆☆