User Reviews

I'm not exactly objective, because Robert Manry's voyage and his book Tinkerbelle was an early inspiration of my life, but I was delighted by Steve Wystrach's documentary. Manry demonstrated that a normal person determined and well prepared could have an extraordinary and unique adventure, that one needn't be a specialist, endowed with superhuman powers, or rich. The film goes well beyond his book, however, and between fantastic archival footage, great editing, and storytelling, Manry at Sea weaves together Robert's personal quest and his family's journey ashore with a revealing tale about the media. Starting off completely unsung, by the time the unknowing Manry is half-way to Europe, a media war breaks out, foreshadowing the modern era in so many ways and reshaping his life forever. A truly fascinating and heartfelt tale.

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.

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!

Manry at Sea was an unexpected treat when I first saw it at the AmDocs film festival. It is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit against tall odds. The film maker seamlessly intertwines archival footage of the time with that shot by Robert Manry himself on his improbable voyage. In short, the film is a joy.

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

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.

Very thoroughly researched film. Tons of great archival footage. Well paced and interesting film. Highly recommended.

It is a common habit among viewers to think that there is an evolution among stories of great courage, sport and adventure, that somehow they must get progressively more challenging or the characters more endearing. But that is not the case in this fascinating documentary of a seemingly simple quiet man who inwardly dreamed of one of the most difficult quests: to cross the Atlantic in a tiny sailboat in 1965. But succeed he did, against all odds and the director beautifully integrates archival footage, music and interviews to keep this momentous story alive.

What a wonderful and fascinating film ! Astounding feat to sail a tiny sailboat about the size of a couch across the North Atlantic with its notoriously bad weather. Storing enough food and water for a three month voyage is daunting enough plus spares for things that might break (like the rudder that did) and the handicap of being washed overboard a half dozen times. In those days before GPS or modern navigation technology , he had to teach himself celestial navigation to keep track of where he was. No room for a two way radio much less batteries or photovoltaic panels to charge them with. He had to be really self sufficient and couldn't call for help.

If you've read his book, Tinkerbelle you know the meticulous planning that went into the voyage, but what this film does so well is focus on the voyage itself (Aptly titled "Manry at Sea" and then the crowd of 50 thousand people that welcomed him to England at the end of the feat. Words on a page can't convey a sense of the crowd and the drama concerning radio and TV coverage with everyone trying to scoop the competition. In this film you really experience that up close.

I had an image of him from the book, but the interviews with his wife and children all these years after the voyage paint a slightly different picture of whom he was and why he did it. This is a don't miss film if you haven't read the book, but even if you have, this fills in a lot of gaps that aren't covered in the book. For anyone who enjoys adventure, pursuing a dream, overcoming seemingly daunting challenges, and a charming tale that is a classic in the small boat genre of small boat sea stories.

This beautifully directed, written, edited and scored feature length documentary film confounds expectations as the backstory of unassuming suburban newspaper copy editor and family man Robert Manry unfolds as he sets out on his seemingly foolish and impossible journey. Set in 1965 before there was GPS, Manry rebuilds a small 13.5 foot wooden sailboat and attempts to sail solo across the Atlantic Ocean to England without any other power. Funny, harrowing, romantic and continually surprising, this movie hits all emotions in a satisfying yet never predictable story of love, courage, adventure, media competition and one everyman's lifelong desire.

Structured like a 3 act movie, the story is told completely in the first person by Manry from recorded lectures and radio interviews, and interviews with his intelligent grounded outspoken loving wife, insightful son and daughter, close brother, newspaper and television cohorts and rivals, and totally amazed witnesses. It stays true to its time period musically and esthetically drawing on a multitude of sources including archival news footage with sync sound, home movies, TV shows, newspaper stories, and photos and film shot by Manry himself and other vessels encountered during his journey, Along with Manry's journey we also experience the fierce and at times comical rivalry between Cleveland's two major newspapers and the local TV station who are in a race to find Manry at sea to get the big scoop interview as the world watches and waits.

The editing is visually creative and tight keeping the movie moving at a fresh but never hurried pace, including the creation of multi-camera editing assembled from a multitude of news sources. The compelling thematic original score creates an epic sonic vista while Basque folk music brings at sea joy and intimacy.

This pitch perfect labor of love is the result of 17 years research by the director and a must see by everyone as its timeless story of dreams and adventure emotionally resonates across all ages and cultures.

I saw this film at a film festival in Los Angeles and was very impressed. I thought there would be one story line, but there are three fascinating stories interwoven in this film, each making the film more interesting. I actually got chills toward the end of the film. It's an emotional journey.

Do yourself a favor and watch this film if you get the chance. You won't be disappointed.

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

I'd never heard of this story before having seen the film, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Boy, was I glad after having watched the film.

The story is absolutely amazing and thrilling. I was in suspense the entire time.

Great film, I highly recommend it!

I have read the book a few times. This is one of my favorite real life stories. The movie completes it perfectly in my opinion. We can realy feel for Robert Manry, his family and his dream and adventure , watching the movie. There is something really uplifting in it. The treatment of the story and the human side of it is perfect. There is something to say also about the editing of the film wich is great! This is very good entertainment, even if it is a documentary.

This is just a wonderful film about a most unlikely voyage. It is clearly told and uses Robert Manry's original 16mm footage which Steve Wystrach rescued just before it was thrown away and has now preserved. Even if you have read the book 100 times you will still enjoy this film. Tinkerbelle is so very very small.

Some one should make a film about Steve Wystrach making this film. This is also a good story.

Regular guy crosses Atlantic in a cute coffin and chipper as all get out. And battle of paper and TV journalists to get the scoop. Surprising this story was new to me. The Director got tons of footage and tells this story so smart and so well. It is a great story and great documentary storytelling.

This thrilling documentary rescues from history a feat of almost unimaginable courage and skill and brings it vibrantly to life for audiences today. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.

What an amazing documentary about Robert Manry! Thank you for keeping his story alive for years to come. It is a true testament to the human spirit, ideas, determination, faith and synchronicity.. What a journey life is! The story of Tinkerbell and Manry in this journey of a 13 and 1/2 foot boat and one man crossing the Atlantic Ocean is superb! I have already started recommending Manry at Sea to my family and friends.

After reading Roberts book "Tinkerbelle" I was hooked on the story of his incredible voyage! I searched online for more on the story and couldn't wait to get a copy of this wonderfully done retelling of Roberts story. The book came to life as I watched actual footage of Robert, his Family, and the tiny 13 1/2 foot saillboat he made history with! The hallucinations he experienced are reinacted with beautiful watercolor artwork, and tastefully done. Thank you Steve for all the effort it must have taken to pull the multiple available sources together in order to bring Robert's story to life for the rest of us!

A thoroughly researched and artfully constructed story told entirely with restored archival scraps of footage, tapes, photos and interviews. A long-lost story told more completely than when it originally occurred. Remarkable. Really.

This is such an adventurous extremely well written and directed documentary film.

Being born and raised in the Cleveland area, where I then had my own family and continue to live, this movie will be so fun to watch with them each Christmas season, bringing back such wonderful memories and realizing just how much history there is in this area..

The story is fascinating and includes talk of The Cleveland Press and The Cleveland Plain Dealer which is still here.

As a boater on Lake Erie where Robert Manry did his 'test' run with his son, it makes me think about journeys with my family and friends.

This documentary will be enjoyed by so many, young and old, a real wonderful family film!

I enjoyed seeing Manry's life in the real clips and hearing about him from those interviewed. It felt like we were living it with him as we watched. Engaging from beginning to end.

Shared at the Ocean Film Festival World Tour, Manry at Sea ~ In the Wake of a Dream is a well researched film that captivates the viewer from start to finish. With skill this historical story is brought to life as the viewer goes on a voyage with the charismatic Robert Manry. A must see for any ocean lover, sailer of those who love a good adventure story.

Manry At Sea is a brilliantly told story about an average working man who refused to ignore his lifelong dream of making a sea voyage. With no sponsors or fanfare, he carefully and frugally prepared to sail the Atlantic in the only boat he could afford - a 13 1/2-foot daysailer! Steve Wystrach recounts this epic voyage with much archival footage and many interviews with people who knew Manry, making this a very accurate documentary while capturing all the joy and spirit that Manry infused into the adventure. A delightful film that will be embraced by sailors and non-sailors alike, this is a story of a "regular guy" rising out of the ordinary to realize a lifelong ambition that the rest of us would only dream about.