Voyage of the Yes

"Cal Markwell" (Desi Arnaz Jr.) is a high school graduate who loves sailing. So prior to attending Stanford University he decides to set sail from California to Hawaii. His parents are okay with his decision provided that he has at least one other person going with him. But his opportunity is threatened when the person he has chosen cancels at the last minute. Having almost lost all hope he just happens to pick up a hitchhiker by the name of "Orlando B. Parker" (Mike Evans) who agrees to sail with him. But what Cal doesn't know is that Mike is a fugitive who is wanted by the Chicago police for murder. Anyway, rather than reveal any more of the story and risk ruining the film for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was a surprisingly good "made-for-television" drama which I remember seeing when it first came out back in 1973. Admittedly, the script is rather basic and somewhat dated but I still enjoyed it all the same. Slightly above average.

This is a bit of a hidden gem. Not a master piece, but a very good film that didn't look like it needed a large budget. If it had a large budget, some one got a lot more than usual.

It is almost solely about two young men on a small craft in the ocean, on a long Odyssey. The reason for the trip isn't as important as the trip. It's the trip that is the film.

The perils of the shark were not as down played as they are today. The shark in this movie makes an attack, and we get the all too real peril of being in the wilds, away from any help, trying to doctor a shark attack.

The perils of gangrene aren't mentioned enough in films, even today, and I hope it isn't a spoiler to say that this film is about that peril, as well as the drama between the two young men.

More over, it is a vehicle for a song made popular by Simon and Garfunkel, EL CONDOR PASA. This song is an easy listening song that requires minimal instrumentation. One of the young men, and you can guess which one probably, sings this song on the boat. The film is worth seeing for this, as well as all the other reasons stated. There is just enough to keep your interests throughout.

It's a timeless piece that should be as enjoyable today as it was then, with a stage drama air about it.

This is one of those movies that left you wanting more. Desi Arnaz Jr. puts in a surprisingly good performance and pretty much steps out of the shadow of his famous parents. Michael Evans also showed how good an actor he was. This film pretty much dealt with a lot of issues from race relations to trust. You really see that close to the end as Cal (Arnaz's character) tries to keep Orlando (Evans' character) alive after the encounter with the shark. I often felt that this could have made a great series with the two youths traveling from port to port and showing the different encounters they had with people they met along the way. Too bad this film is rarely, if ever, shown on television anymore. This is one film that is definitely a lost treasure of the 1970's.

The first time i saw "The Voyage of the Yes" I was a freshman in high school in 1972 It was a Made for T.V. Movie of the week. I new nothing of sailing or boating for that matter.The movie and plot are simple I agree but it introduced me to the Magick and freedom of sailing And I never forgot it,Mow some 29 years later I am a sailor and own the same modle of Sailboat that was used in the movie a Columbia 26 MKII Named GHOST "EL Condor Pasa" The latter being my link to the movie. Thank you Paul. I sail out of ThunderBay in Alpena Mi.And when I pull in the sails and lean into the wind And my Sailboat glide's across the bay i think to myself "YES" and I know it dosent get any better than this! The movie changed my life and will always be a part of me. Thank you Desi and Michel Don Dingee "GHOST"

It's a shame the story premise here was not developed to its full potential. Two youthful dudes head out to sea in a small boat, bound for Hawaii. The skipper is Cal (Desi Arnaz Jr.); his mate is Orlando (Mike Evans). Cal is White; Orlando is Black. Cal can't find anyone else to make the trip with him, so Orlando, who is running away from a bad situation, volunteers. Given the era in which the film was made, it's not surprising that some of the script deals with the issue of race. Claustrophobic quarters over time forces the two to confront their differences.

But mostly this is a story about the dreams of youth. Themes include self-reliance, self-confidence, facing unexpected problems, and in the process learning about oneself. On their journey the two encounter a shark, a storm, and become drastically off-course with no water or food.

Some of the technology is a bit dated, like the tape recorder and the survival radio. Casting is fine. Acting is better than what I would have predicted. Cinematography is acceptable. Production design is unimportant given that most of the plot takes place in open water on the small boat. I really like the Simon and Garfunkel music, consistent with a naturalistic vision.

"Voyage Of The Yes" is an outdoor adventure film with thematic depth. And though the plot is somewhat attenuated, it's a good film to watch when one has wanderlust and is ready to sail the waters to far-off ports-of-call, or to see how two individuals with different backgrounds interact.