Vindication Swim

2024

Biography / Drama / History

Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 82% · 7 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 82%
IMDb Rating 5.9/10 10 241 241

Director

Elliott Hasler Photo
Elliott Hasler

Top cast

Douglas Hodge Photo
Douglas Hodge as The Newsreader
Justin Hayward Photo
Justin Hayward as Leonard Clay
James Wilby Photo
James Wilby as Mr. Havers
Michael Cronin Photo
Michael Cronin as Steamship Captain
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
897.63 MB
1280*534
English 2.0
NR
24 fps
1 hr 37 min
Seeds 4
1.8 GB
1920*800
English 5.1
NR
24 fps
1 hr 37 min
Seeds 8

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by tjpieraccini 7 / 10

A passion project

That the film exists at all is something of a miracle. Originally planned to take a few months, the shoot extended to three years, with the swimming footage alone going from three or four planned sessions to nearer thirty. Made on a miniscule budget, the production pulled through thanks to the dedication and passion of all involved, from writer/directer Elliott Hasler through the two principal cast members Kirsten Callaghan and John Locke, to the many extras, theatre groups, town councils and others who went above and beyond.And was it worth the effort? Yes. Although the budget restrictions show in the tightness of a few of the shots, what does fill the screen is beautifully realised; major kudos to the production design team. Costumes, vehicles, sets - everything looks marvellously authentic. And if the sea-set stuff looks real, it was - they were out there in The English Channel, in a couple of small boats for hours on end, with no body doubles.Mercedes Gleitze had a fascinating life, of which this is only a small part, but the narrow focus works, enabling the drama of the channel crossings and attendant disputes to be teased out in just the right amount of detail. Kirsten Callaghan and John Locke make an appealing if oddly-matched pair at the centre of it all, in a story about integrity and self-belief, and the end is unexpected - and unexpectedly moving. The conclusion shouldn't work but it does, partly thanks to Daniel Clive McCallum's excellent score, but also due to restrained acting on the part of the leads, and some excellent staging. I was really quite moved, both times I saw it.
Reviewed by gricey_sandgrounder 7 / 10

Lacked that cinematic punch. But still was passable entertainment

I knew absolutely nothing of this story. But the synopsis intrigued me and I felt seeing it on International Women's Day felt right to check this out.While there was nothing notably bad about it, it felt like a missed opportunity. The whole vibe felt more like a film made for television in every aspect. However, the content is interesting and you can feel the passion and drive the people involved are putting into this project.If the film had more starpower in front of the camera and more capable minds behind it, this would be worth your time on the big screen.I'd either find a documentary (if there is one) or wait until this is available to stream.
Reviewed by svenrufus 4 / 10

Wooden, unengaging and nowhere near as interesting as the actual true story they didn't tell you

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