Vindication Swim
Vindication Swim
Stars: Kirsten Callaghan, John Locke, Victoria Summer, Matthew Win Davies, Owen Oldroyd and Michael Cronin
Director/Scriptwriter: Elliott Hasler
Composer: Daniel Clive McCallum
Cinematographer is unknown
Sea High Productions/Picnic Entertainment
Rating: PG 13
Running Length: 98 minutes
In 1927, a girl named Mercedes Gleitze decided she wanted to swim the English Channel. That she did, to world acclaim. “Vindication Swim” is her story and settle yourself comfortably in your theater seat because the waves and weather conditions may have you stop eating popcorn for a while. This was a cold-water swim and the men who tried it did not have success. The statement was “The strongest of men did not prevail.” Mercedes answer was, “But I am a woman.” This put a distinct mark between man and woman and she proved herself to acclaim. Director Elliott Hassler takes you into a world of competition few would care to undertake. Though acting here is pallid at times, the water and waves and weather take over as prime.
As the film goes, Mercedes Gleitze (Kirsten Callaghan) has a fascination for water. She has decided to try the optimum swim, that of the English Channel, long known for rain, waves and coldness. Mercedes has to find a coach and does in Harold Best (John Locke) who seems anything but a coach. Alas, there is a rival female swimmer, Edith Gade (Victoria Summer) who decides she wants the glory for herself. The hazards of being in such cold water for hours and hours is enormous. Not only that, but there are large ships in the Channel, also, and she is but a small dot on the water. Now, in a horror film, there would be a giant octopus lurking nearby, but in the Channel, there are enormous ships to contend with. The audience will chill through the film as we see what Mercedes has to accomplish in order to say in 1927, “I swam the English Channel.” Even today, large corporations still have Mercedes Gleitz as advertising for their product, which includes the Rolex Watch.
“Vindication Swim” was filmed over a period of several years. There had to be the right places in the Channel to film, then finding the right equipment at the right time to be available, then finding the right actors for the right parts. At last, when finished, adding music, which is well played by a select orchestra and composition by Daniel Clive McCullum. The Cinematographer’s name is unknown, but the work is wonderfully done. Seeing a woman, alone in near-freezing waters, for hours on end, just moving ahead in waves that threaten to overcome her, yet going on and on, is striking. Talk about endurance and courage. It makes the audience breathless.
As for acting, it is average, and all motivation is directed toward getting a person in the water and then staying in the water through harsh weather conditions. The size of a woman in the Channel as compared to any large boat nearby, is a mere speck in the water.
All in all, “Vindication Swim” is remarkable in showing endurance, fortitude, and friends that are. There. Victoria Summer portrays an adequate rival in doing Edith Gade, but when it comes right down to the wire no one else steps up to take a shot at it. All in all, the Channel remains aloof in allowing only one winner at a time. For those who paddle around swimming pools for a few laps, this film will have you worn out unable to take that last nibble of popcorn.
Four Tocks
Copyright 2025 Marie Asner
