True Blue isn't just about rowing. It's about passion,' says Brian McGovern, actor and rower. Based on the book by Daniel Topolski and Patrick Robinson, the film recounts the 1987 Oxford Boat Race mutiny, when misunderstandings and uncompromising wills upset the normally civilised atmosphere of this British institution.
The film begins in April 1986 when Oxford suffered its first defeat in 11 years in 'The Boat Race', the annual rowing contest between Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Angered by the result, one of the Oxford oarsmen, fiery American Rick Ross (Brian McGovern), swears to avenge the defeat .
The following October Ross returns with some of his friends from the US national rowing team. Enrolling as students they expect to redeem the failing Oxford team.
However, the crew does not stay united for long. Disagreements over training methods and crew selection soon lead to a bitter clash between the Scottish president of the Oxford Dark Blues, Donald MacDonald (Dominic West) and the American oarsmen.
In the ensuing battle the Americans pull out six weeks before the race. The stage is then set not only for MacDonald's fightback but for Oxford's coach, Topolski (Johan Leysen), to mould an inexperienced reserve crew into a winning team.
Both the 'real' Daniel Topolski and Donald Macdonald were on set during filming. MacDonald was involved with the project as it developed, while Topolski not only helped train the actors but plays the umpire.
Co-producer Davina Belling dismisses the idea that the extremely visual True Blue might be the next Chariots of Fire, suggesting instead that 'the film is more akin to a British Top Gun. It's a male movie that women will love because it's beautiful to look at.'
According to director Ferdinand Fairfax, True Blue is much more than a sports film: 'It offers a superb metaphor for life. It is a story of honour, betrayal and triumph against the odds.' Donna Wasserstein
Prod co: Film and General/Rafford production for Channel Four Films
Prods: Clive Parsons, Davina Belling
Dir: Ferdinand Fairfax
Scr: Rupert Walters
Ph: Brian Tufano
Prod des: Alison Riva
Co: Delphine Roche-Gordon
Mus: Stanislas Syrewicz
Ed: Les Healey
Cast: Brian McGovern, Dominic West, Johan Leysen, Daniel Topolski
Running time: 117 mins
Int sales: Film Four International
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