Manry at Sea: In the Wake of a Dream

Having spent most of my 5 years in the Navy at sea in the North Atlantic, I would never consider attempting what Robert Manry accomplished. Steve Wystrach does a beautiful and thorough narrative of this incredible voyage.

Being a sailor since age 8, I was fascinated by the determination of Robert Manry. His preparation was a well documented and thanks to the on-board camera, he recorded many of the images that Steve placed together so effectively to tell this story. I watched a screening of the movie with my brothers, all having sailed together on many multi-day yacht races, and marveled at both the naivete, skill, and luck this man had to successfully arrive in England. I recommend this story to anyone, not just sailors, as it shows the grit and determination of Robert as well as the early years of a competetive news/journalism business and the extent they go to get the story first.

An amazing adventure inside an astonishing adventure inside an inspiring adventure inside... And a love story, too! Brilliant.

This is a fantastically done movie that really tells the story and in an interesting and well-paced way. Highly recommended!

The film makers skillfully captured the feel of the time, comparing Manry's unlikely vault to fame to the Beatlemania that was in full swing in 1965. An estimated 50,000 people were waiting on the docks in Falmouth, England for his arrival. Manry certainly fulfilled his promise to his wife that their marriage would never be "boring!"

With a beautiful score and masterful editing this documentary plays like a feature film. Through the use of archival footage, first-person photography and film, and personal interviews the film keeps us cheering Manry on throughout the voyage. The many humorous encounters with other ships and the friendly competition between the newspapers both vying for the story were brilliant ways to engage the audience.

The "Tinkerbelle", Manry's 13.5 ft sailboat, is on display in the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in Cleveland. Actually seeing and standing in this tiny craft as I did makes one appreciate even more the remote chance of success of Manry's solo voyage across the Atlantic.

Highly recommended, not only for those who love the sea and sailing, but for anyone wanting to see a story of daring, determination, bravery, and commitment. A wonderful story of a simpler time. Worth seeing, and I've seen it twice!