THE MERCY Trailer

The Mercy is the latest in a long line of esteemed British biopics, but this one leaves behind tidy interiors for the fury of the open sea.

The film is based on the true story of Donald Crowhurst, an amateur sailor who entered the 1968 Golden Globe Race. The goal was to circumnavigate the world without stopping, a feat dangerous for even the most experienced sailors, but Crowhurst jumped in with gusto. He built his own ship and gambled his financial future on the endeavor, but of course, there wouldn’t be film if everything went as planned.

The ensuing adventure might explain why The Bourne Ultimatum and Contagion scribe Scott Z. Burns is responsible for the script, so I expect the dangers of solo sailing will be milked for some gripping sequences. Colin Firth, who takes on the role of Crowhurst, has shown a flair for action with the Kingsman series, and he’s more than capable of handling the traditional biopic elements (he won an Oscar for that, after all).

Crowhurst’s life back home isn’t being shortchanged, though, with another Oscar winner in Rachel Weisz playing his wife and the long-admired David Thewlis appearing as his press agent. In other words, it’s the usual bevy of familiar British faces rounding out the film, not to mention the sturdy James Marsh (The Theory of Everything, Man on Wire) helming the whole project.

Missing out on awards season seems odd given the film’s pedigree, but with so many good pieces in place, it’s hard to imagine The Mercy getting too far off course.

The Mercy is directed by James Marsh and stars Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz, and David Thewlis. It will be released in the U.K. on February 9th, 2018. For international release dates, click here.

Are you excited for The Mercy? Let us know in the comments!