James Marsh interview, The Upcoming
In his follow-up to the Oscar-nominated The Theory of Everything, director James Marsh is back with The Mercy, telling the strange, nautical tale of Donald Crowhurst. A man from Teignmouth hitting an existential crisis, Crowhurst (played brilliantly by Colin Firth) sets off to sail in the Golden Globe race around the world. But his inexperience and lack of appropriate materials for the boat bring him to the edge of giving up. Instead, he reports false co-ordinates to make it appear as if he’s hitting all the records. But spending months on a boat, with nobody for company, gradually sinks him into madness.
The Upcoming was fortunate to speak with James Marsh about the film – discussing his research into the real Crowhurst, his inspirations and his last collaboration with Jóhann Jóhannsson.
When did you first become aware of Donald Crowhurst’s story?
I was aware of it, like many people, as a story you’re imbibed at an early age.
I was aware, in a more focused way, when I worked on a BBC arts show called Arena. They made a very interesting little short about Crowhurst as part of a season of films about radio. It was about his use of the radio, and the deception he undertook. I reconnected to it via the Deep Water documentary, which I really liked. That spawned our version of this story. It’s a myth, essentially, and each generation wants to tell that story in their own way for its own reasons. It resonates in very different ways depending on where you are, culturally or otherwise.
