There is no end of praise for "All is lost" - the film is also "realistic to the point of pain", raves "Der Spiegel", for example. But this is gross nonsense, the film actually achieves the realism of a "crime scene" from Münster. Nevertheless, and here the critics are completely right, it is a cinematic "masterpiece" with a brilliant Robert Redford as the soloist over an entertaining 106 minutes. A powerful fairy tale from Hollywood, great entertainment - so switch off know-it-all mode and go see it!
Uwe Janßen, Deputy Editor-in-Chief
I wonder whether I should recommend the film to my wife - if she watches it, she certainly won't allow me to take the long one-handed swing that I might do at some point. Despite a few flaws in the details that could be cited: well worth seeing.
Rolf Schanzenbach, final editor
A missed opportunity, unfortunately. A great actor, a good story - and a string of gross technical errors. For a sailor, the realisation is unacceptable; some of the cuts, for example from complete calm to suddenly moving seas, are reminiscent of the sometimes amateurish style of the TV series "Coastguard". Robert Redford doesn't talk much in the film, only once does he burst out shouting "Fuuuuck!" After two hours of endurance in the cinema seat, you want to join him.
Lars Bolle, Editor
An extraordinary film worth seeing with strong images and a convincing Robert Redford. The technical inconsistencies didn't bother me and I would describe them as artistic licence. Only the end of the film could have been 20 seconds earlier.
Nils Campe, Art Director
Exciting! Laaangatmig! Exciting!
Susanna Werner, Editorial Assistant
If you're a sailor sitting in the cinema, you're already shifting uneasily in your seat when the container hits the 39-foot yacht at the back right. Did Robert Redford sail backwards (despite the calm) - or did the container have its own propulsion? The film is riddled with small errors of detail and the sailor is happy when, after 40 minutes, the mast finally breaks in the storm. Throughout the film, the sails are not even properly trimmed, and some of them are even attached with a twisted luff. However, if you can look past the technical errors, you can enjoy the marvellous shots of the Indian Ocean and let the well-made storm and capsize scenes take your breath away. The acting is also good - even if Redford talks to himself surprisingly little for a single-handed sailor.
Johannes Erdmann, Editor
The three most reassuring insights from the film should you ever find yourself in distress at sea:
1. do not rush to counteract a water ingress in the ship, but carry out every action with maximum deliberation.
2. never abandon ship unshaven.
3. don't worry, you can quickly find out how a sextant works in the life raft if necessary.
Pascal Schürmann, Head of Copywriting
Superbly acted, with concise North German lyrics, dramaturgically entertaining and also excitingly filmed in places for sailors. And if you want to look for mistakes from a sailing point of view, you have plenty to do. It's best left at home for those with delicate sensibilities.
Fridtjof Gunkel, Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Sinking with attitude: The question of how to behave when your sailing yacht sinks comes up from time to time. But one thing is certain: not like this. It should come as no surprise that the nautical and the reality of a Hollywood film are, as expected, neglected and that logic is sometimes completely absent. But the role of Redford, who lets the possible and the impossible bounce off him with somnambulistic certainty and without any fear or hectic rush, is. Strong, impressive images, good scenes and, despite the contradictions, an engaging (sailing) film.
Sören Reineke, picture editor
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to watch a film like this as a sailor without constantly checking every scene for authenticity. If we try anyway, it is a dramatic, plausible and convincing film about the fact that the sea can demand everything from you in the end. In the aftermath, it would certainly have left an even deeper impression if the last 30 seconds of the film, which were probably due to Hollywood, had been omitted.
Michael Amme, freelance author and photographer
"All is lost" is not bad, not really good - but by no means boring. It's a calm film, despite the disasters that befall the protagonist. You wish you were that fit at that age.
Simon Edeler, IT expert
For me, this is already the most superfluous film of the year. From start to finish, the question remained in my head: what's the point of the whole thing? Especially as there are no really new ideas in terms of realisation or dramaturgy.
Nils Günter, YACHT-TV
And what do you think? Discuss with us in the YACHT forum !
By the way: For all those who want to know more - the sailing portal "Scuttlebutt" has an interesting Background piece about the making of the film published.
