an old man with the eyes of a child / Film review
By Mark Chew
Recent articles and comments in SWS, such as last week’s book review, have touched on the subject of Bluewater Cruising legends, and how much leniency we should grant these, often diffident figures, when we judge their behaviours by today’s essentially middle class, western and suburban standards.
In some cases it’s easy. Joshua Slocum was found guilty of raping a 12-year-old girl. There is no heroic sailing behaviour that can ameliorate this. I’m not advocating cancelling the man…( I would never advocate cancelling anyone) but I do suggest we read “Sailing Alone Around The World” through the lens of this rarely mentioned fact.
Slocum aboard the SPRAY
Peter Tangvald the minimalist freedom seeking adventurer of the 1960’s and 70’s is also a difficult hero to forgive. As Doane the author of “The Boy who fell to Shore” writes
“He betrayed the next generation, his own children and he harmed others, quite badly in pursuit of his own selfish dream. In considering how I feel about him now, first I think […] that you had to respect the man even if you didn’t like him. But I wonder now if Peter Tangvald really is worthy of respect, in spite of his accomplishments, his great skill as a bluewater sailor, and his austere, undiluted exhalation of personal freedom.”
The Tangvald Family
Bernard Moitessier on the other hand at first glance seems almost Saint like. He is quoted as saying
“I believe it is this need not only for novelty but for physical and moral cleanliness that pushes the solitary sailor to other shores.”
But even he is not without fault. Scrolling through his biography, one glimpses the sense that a wave of uncontrollably and perhaps malicious destiny hits him several times, destroying boats, relationships and pushing him to wander the world.
Moitessier aboard JOSHUA
Andy Bullock an SWS reader suggested last week, that another of my childhood heroes may not be as admirable as first thought. It’s now widely acknowledged that Tristan Jones, the prolific author told fibs! His biographer Anthony Dalton reveals how much of Jone’s life story was a total fabrication, beginning with the story of his birth, and the inspiration for having been given the name “Tristan.” One of Jones’ early books, Heart of Oak, was an account of Jones’ service in the Royal Navy during WW II. This is a work of total fiction, as he did not actually join the Navy until after the war was over. The fabrications go on and tales grow taller from there. Its one thing writing good fiction. Its another to claim it as personal fact.
Tristan Jones
All this leads us to the film “The Sailor” which is viewable for free (with a sign up) by clicking on the picture at the top of this article.
Slovak director Lucia Kašová tells the story of an extraordinary individual who ends up alone and lonely in the twilight years of his illustrious life.
We meet the protagonist, Paul Johnson, at 80 years old, living on his small boat, CHERUB, anchored off the island of Carriacou in the Southern Caribbean. Just by looking at him, one would hardly guess that once upon a time, he was a famous boat designer: an old man with the eyes of a child, he is now living on a diet of beer and vodka, his body giving out just like his vessel.
It’s a slow, delicious and melancholy journey, watching this film. The access that the producers gained to a very private life is intriguing. The charming Johnson is another of these Bluewater legends, no doubt with skeletons in his closet, but despite being grumpy and opinionated we find ourselves wanting to help ease the old man’s journey into a painless oblivion.
If you’re looking for maritime action and adventure then this isn’t the film for you. But if you are interested in trying to understand what makes some people choose a life outside of our established norms, you will no doubt be rewarded.
Thanks to SWS reader Jamie Thomson for the recommendation.