The Windjammer

The Windjammer (1931)

Genres - Action, Adventure  |   Run Time - 75 min.  |   Countries - United Kingdom  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson

Like its namesake "Cinerama" production of 1957, the 1931 British release Windjammer was filmed during the actual voyage of a sailing vessel, the "Grace Harwar." The five-month voyage began in South Australia and ended in England, requiring a tricky negotiation around Cape Horn. This excursion was the brainchild of Tasmania-based journalists A.J. Villiers and R.J. Walker, who co-wrote the script and collaborated on the photography. The "actuality" footage is woven into a fictional narrative about a homeless tramp who manages to get a crewman's job on the Grace Harwar, in hopes of making his way back to England; unfortunately, he is killed just before reaching his destination. Ironically, R.J. Walker died at sea as the filming was in its final stages. The story of Windjammer was also set down in book form by A. J. Villiers as By Way of Cape Horn.

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Keywords

sea, boating, journey