Voyage of the Yes

I won't recant the plot, as that is listed here in the summary.

This film played on TV back in 1973, and at the time got some great reviews and created a little stir. Mercifully, the movie didn't just completely vanish in a vault, left only to memories, but has been saved and now can be found on DVD (Amazon, eBay, etc.) If you saw the film before, you are likely like me and when the title appeared again, want to again be touched as you once were. In that regard, you won't be disappointed. Oh, the film is dated, certainly. Some of it might make you chuckle here and there, and they obviously didn't have much of a budget back then, but that won't detract you at all, because the meaning in this story holds up extremely well. Even over 30 years later. The simply story of complex characters, and how they develop and grow is still as true today as it was then, and probably forever will be. The core of this film is very well written, and surprisingly well acted. I can't imagine anyone watching this film and not caring about the characters and being moved by their situation, their growth and friendship.

As to the DVD (when you find it) is no frills. The picture quality is not bad for the time, 4:3 TV aspect ratio, looking like a good VHS tape, or good old TV broadcast. The audio is mono, and generally good. Around 50 minutes in there is a slight buzz that might annoy you, but soon disappears. There are no trailers, no commentary, nothing like that. The DVD is coupled with a Johnny Cash/Eli Wallach film, "The Pride of Jesse Hallum", if that interests you, or if you can't find the title under Voyage of Yes, you may try it under that name instead.

This 1973 made for TV movie has always had a certain charm about it. I've often thought of "Voyage Of The Yes" throughout my life since seeing it as a 10-year-old.

You could tell Mike Evans ( Lionel Jefferson / All In The Family ) always had an edge to him as an actor. And you could see it here. People have commented they wish it would have been a series but I think it's a shame if it hasn't ever been adapted into a Play. The close quarters and being out to sea are more the co-stars of Desi Arnaz Jr and Mike Evans than Scoey Mitchell's brief but memorable performance.

I'm happy this movie from my childhood, a much simpler time is available.

This is a bit of a hidden gem. Not a master piece, but a very good film that didn't look like it needed a large budget. If it had a large budget, some one got a lot more than usual.

It is almost solely about two young men on a small craft in the ocean, on a long Odyssey. The reason for the trip isn't as important as the trip. It's the trip that is the film.

The perils of the shark were not as down played as they are today. The shark in this movie makes an attack, and we get the all too real peril of being in the wilds, away from any help, trying to doctor a shark attack.

The perils of gangrene aren't mentioned enough in films, even today, and I hope it isn't a spoiler to say that this film is about that peril, as well as the drama between the two young men.

More over, it is a vehicle for a song made popular by Simon and Garfunkel, EL CONDOR PASA. This song is an easy listening song that requires minimal instrumentation. One of the young men, and you can guess which one probably, sings this song on the boat. The film is worth seeing for this, as well as all the other reasons stated. There is just enough to keep your interests throughout.

It's a timeless piece that should be as enjoyable today as it was then, with a stage drama air about it.

"Cal Markwell" (Desi Arnaz Jr.) is a high school graduate who loves sailing. So prior to attending Stanford University he decides to set sail from California to Hawaii. His parents are okay with his decision provided that he has at least one other person going with him. But his opportunity is threatened when the person he has chosen cancels at the last minute. Having almost lost all hope he just happens to pick up a hitchhiker by the name of "Orlando B. Parker" (Mike Evans) who agrees to sail with him. But what Cal doesn't know is that Mike is a fugitive who is wanted by the Chicago police for murder. Anyway, rather than reveal any more of the story and risk ruining the film for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was a surprisingly good "made-for-television" drama which I remember seeing when it first came out back in 1973. Admittedly, the script is rather basic and somewhat dated but I still enjoyed it all the same. Slightly above average.

A worthwhile dramatic effort by two actors known primarily for their work in situation comedies. Desi Arnaz Jr. (from, of course, his mother's series "Here's Lucy") and Mike Evans (Lionel Jefferson on "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons") battle both the elements and their own mistrust of one another on what starts out as a pleasure cruise in a sailboat from California to Hawaii; look quickly for future "angel" Della Reese in a small role. The movie also makes effective use of Paul Simon's song, "El Condor Pasa" (adapted from an Andean folk melody).