Vindication Swim

This film has an intimacy about it that subtly wove its way through the remarkable story of Mercedes Gleitze which is all the more so as it's almost 100 years since her successful crossing of the Channel.

The period nature of the film and atmosphere created with the mix of colour and black and white cinematography was as inspired and original as Mercedes herself.

The lead was uncannily similar in looks to Mercedes and portrayed the complexity of her character with understated simplicity that neither overshadowed the story or her achievements.

Ably matched by the supporting character with whom one can only admire as well as feel great empathy.

It was a film with meaning, tension, grit, sadness and inspiration and a reminder that whist sexism and misogyny is not as prevalent now as 100 years ago females are still fighting for equality in sport and the workplace.

Long-since retired, I present commercial screenings of films at the unique former mobile theatre, Century Theatre, in Coalville, Leicestershire.

I chose to show Vindication Swim to mark my 20th anniversary and this proved to be a very popular choice!

This very high standard, low budget UK production features good performances from both sides of the camera.

Leading lady, newcomer Kirsten Callaghan delivers a delicately fine performance as Mercedes Gleitze, the first British woman to swim the English Channel in 1927, doing all her own swimming - in the Channel! A truly versatile young actress!

I was also very impressed by John Locke's performance as the sad and troubled swimming coach whose life is rejuvenated after he takes Ms Gleitze under his wing.

The pace and interest of the film never flags and, as we used to say, "you could hear a pin drop", as my audience were totally engrossed in the film, which also features some great location shooting and cinematography.

A very accomplished piece of work by the young writer/director Elliott Hasler - an excellent feature film debut.

I understand the film has already proved very successful and I now consider it to be perfect viewing for village halls and other small venues on the non-theatrical circuit. I heartily recommend it and I'm sure my own audience would fully agree with me.

A small girl stands on a lonely beach, staring at the mysterious sea. She feels at home here, the sea beckons her.

In the 1920s, far from where the Jazz Age thrives in parts of America, but Mercedes Gleitze , a young British woman who works as a shorthand-typist; who is bored, and feels she is of no importance.

She remembers the sea, the feeling of freedom Could she swim across the English Channel? She approaches the authorities who are contemptuous of any woman doing such a thing. Her hopes are smothered.

Swimming the Channel is largely about endurance, not being willing to give up, rather like a boxer being knocked down and getting up again. And again. This film captures that feeling, which I remember well from my long distance running days.

Ms Gleitze is determined, especially when she finds a man who swam the Channel many years before, a man who finally agrees to train her. She has to fight both the sea and society.

And just when you think the film is nearing its end, a crisis blows up.

Normally I avoid films about sports but found this one quite compelling.

Wow. What an enthralling film from the word go. Had me wrapped in the story from the off and the attention to detail for the architecture and settings for the era was amazing. The ocean clips were chilling. Thank you for bringing Mercedes story to us. A remarkable story that covered not just Mercedes' story but told of woman's struggles and misogyny back in the day. Her strive to prove her critics and to herself beyond all difficulties and weather / tide made one feel quite humble to watch. A true triumph of a film and story telling. Kirsten and Elliott its a wonde4ful film of which you must feel very proud.

Being a channel swimmer myself (relay only) I found this a fascinating watch. The challenges of the channel are captured perfectly in the film, I almost felt sea sick at one point, it was so realistic. I felt for the rower, never mind Mercedes. The film clearly portrayed how driven Mercedes was to overcome the prejudice's of the time, being a working class female of German heritage, and this was eloquently emphasised by the sound effects. The film tenderly told the story of Mercedes incredible achievements and what drove her to them. The film makers are to be commended in their portrayal of this period piece, which considering it's a low budget film was extremely good. Go and see it!