User Reviews

Of all the documentary, so-called 'travelogue', films shot during that halcyon decade -- the 1950s -- when Cinerama, Cinemirace and the Soviet Kinopanorama took centre-stage at the world's cinemas, this beautifully wrought film stands alone! Simply put, it is heads-and-soldiers above the rest.

Sadly, Cinemiracle, was a "one-off" release. Plans by Jack Warner to shoot their controversial film, "The Miracle", starring Carol Baker, were shelved due to the enormous cost of shooting in the three-film format. No other films were shot in the format. Cinerama, Inc., which purchased the Cinemiracle format and patents from National Theatres in 1960, promptly relegated the format -- superior in most respects to Cinerama -- to the dust-bin of cinema history.

Attempts in recent years to restore the film with new colour prints and the original 7-channel soundtrack have come to naught, due to the high costs involved.

The Kinopanorama producer-director, John Steven Lasher, stated in March, 2004, that he would gladly restore "Windjammer" before committing any funds, had they been available, to any of the Kinopanorama travelogues to which he has access.

In this Cinerama adventure, we follow the path of 50 "green" recruit sailors- some as young as 14- as they vie for the chance to board the Norwegian schoolship, the Christian Radich, which is set to sail from Oslo to Medeira and onto the Dutch West Indies.

Such a schoolship is known as a "Windjammer", hence the title of the film.

A ship where boys learn to carry out the tasks of seamanship, on their way to becoming men of the sea.

The opening segment of the film is shot in standard definition, before moving on to Cinerama's trademark curved widescreen, which has been translated to Smilebox definition for home viewing.

We watch as the boys get acquainted with both the ship and their shipmates, while the narrator teaches us the vernacular of the sailors.

Terms like "doctor" (the ship's cook), "Charlie Noble" (the stove's chimney), and "poop deck" (the top level of the ship, that also acts as the roof of the cabin).

The crew makes it to Medeira on St. Sylvester's Day, whence the film becomes a travelogue, as we watch the boys ride the basket slides, and attend a folk festival.

Before they head off to the Dutch West Indies, following the path previously taken by Columbus.

Stopping, first, in Puerto Rico, where they picnic with Dutch girls, and go on a wild chase, for their mascot Stumpe.

When they leave Puerto Rico, they make their way toward Trinidad, where they collab with local musicians, and dance to the rhythms of Calypso.

Next, they head north towards New York, passing Cape Hatteras on the way.

After which they travel to Philadelphia- home of the first fire brigade in America- to take in fire prevention week.

Along the way, they meet many other schoolships, including Sweden's Flying Clipper, and The Eagle of the US Coast Guard service.

A few lucky cadets even get to visit a convoy of naval destroyers- including a submarine- for training exercises.

And, as they retrace the route explored by Leif Erickson, they head along the New England coast, stopping so that one sailor- a budding pianist- can fulfill his dream of playing with the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Before making their way home via the northern path- travelled by Erik the Red and his crew- past Scotland.

Stopping to race a Danish schoolship in a regatta as they go.

The whole trip takes them 239 days, during which they travel over 17 thousand miles, stopping in 14 ports along the way.

Though, for us, it's a journey of only about 2 and a half hours (including prologue and intermission).

The film possesses many traits that have become synonymous with the Cinerama brand.

Though, this film has traded in it's aerial shots for some really cool underwater footage.

In the end, it's quite similar to Cinerama's other schoolship documentary travelogue, The Flying Clipper.

But focuses more on the day to day activities of the student sailors, as they learn the craft that might very well shape the rest of their lives.

Another epic Cinerama adventure.

8 out of 10.

Imagine watching one of those old educational films you saw in grade school, except it's in Cinerama and it lasts 120 minutes (minus the intermission). This is how I felt watching "Windjammer."

I'm sure if you want to hear the plot, you'll find it in one of the other reviews. Though it's a true story, there is a certain amount of drama and performance as well. Of the fifty or so teenage boys recruited for the ship, we become somewhat familiar with about five to ten of them; these boys have a few scenes in which they converse in English. We also get acquainted with the crew and the mascot (a dog who steals a scene in the film).

But what really makes the movie succeed is that the drama is combined well with what is essentially part travelogue- beautiful cinematic scenes from both land and water- and part musical- really joyful music interspersed throughout. Frankly, it had as much musical motion picture entertainment as "Chicago" in my opinion (it's a compliment, I assure you).

So enjoyable drama, interesting documentary, good music and gorgeous cinematography... what's not to like? Alas, there are two negative comments:

The first is that in it's 50's innocence, it may be difficult at times to watch this film and not chuckle mockingly as a result of the hardened conditioning of today's popular culture and/or long nostalgically for it's time long gone.

The only other problem is that it has not been restored, and the print I saw (part of a Seattle Cinerama fest at one of the few remaining Cinerama theaters) was an original almost 50 years old. Because it's three reels synchronized on the screen, there were moments when the reel from one was noticeably more deteriorated than the others. And that made the illusion hard to manage. Also, "Windjammer," was truly meant to be appreciated in color; though a few scenes had some color in them, for the most part, the deterioration left it in black and white (and pink).

It's a 7/10. Overall, very entertaining but needs to be restored.

I was fortunate to see Windjammer: the voyage of the Christian Radich in 1959 at the round Cooper Cinerama Theatre in Denver, while I was a high school student. I still have the stereo vinyl recording of the music, and the program book. The film was beautifully photographed and the Cinemiracle process and stereo sound provided a cinematic experience that has never been matched since. There seems to be some question as to whether the original negatives are still intact, who has or controls them, and what condition they might be in as far as a possible restoration and re-release of the film, perhaps in IMAX or 70 mm Panavision to maintain the 3-film aspect ratio, and perhaps in HD/DVD for home viewing. If one of the major film restoration organizations such as TCM were to adopt this project, they would be contributing to the preservation of one of the finest film classics ever produced. I certainly hope that someone will take on this challenge before the negatives deteriorate beyond use, if they have not already. It is difficult to understand why something has not been done already, although it is probable that cost-benefit analysis is involved. Anyone who has not seen Windjammer would be absolutely captivated by the beauty, majesty and adventurous challenge depicted in this exceptional production.

Windjammer, the visual story of a cruise on the Norwegian school ship Christian Radich, is one of my favorite all time films. It combines a variety of elements, especially the sea and Norway into a piece of extraordinary entertainment. I have the book from the movie and I have the music, but neither I nor anyone else, as far as I know, can ever see it again. It was produced as three films by three cameras and shown with three projectors as the process Cinemiracle. From what I have found out, the originals are destroyed. Whether they could have been combined onto one video tape is also questionable. But from this film I developed a great interest in Norway. Even though I do not have any Norwegian blood in me, I am a member of Sons of Norway. I have visited Norway but missed the Christian Radich which was out to sea. I have friends in Norway and I love Norway even when it is cold and gray. Hopefully I shall return to Norway, step aboard the Christian Radich, or maybe even ride it before the wind. Of all the films I loved not available for viewing, this is definitely the one I miss the most.

I saw this movie at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco when I was 12 years old. It was the first movie I ever saw and has remained a vivid impression. How or where can I get a copy so I can share with my family and see if my memory is as good as I think?

The Voyage of the Christian Radich, the Windjammer, across the Atlantic from Norway to New York City, New England and back is brought to three side-by-side Cinerama screens in this production. The impact is stunning. Marred only by the stock differentials in the slight processing temperature variations of exposures in processing which tends to separate the image contrast a bit from screen to screen, this flaw quickly disappears as the sheer adventure unfolds and the stunning musical score by Terry Gilkyson rolls out.

As a youth I returned to the theater some half a dozen times to experience this marvelous, 1958 screen adventure. It is matched only decades later with the advent of the Imax Large Format productions, few that have held the wonder of this marvelous film. The extraordinary musical score was often sold on LP vinyl in the theater lobby and my own record was worn out in its repeated playing.

A true documentary the film never falls into scenario format and remains ever true, taking the viewer along as a grateful passenger across the wide, foaming seas driven before the wind and under the white sails of the ship and glorious sun over the deep blue Pacific.

Update: I recently purchased this movie on DVD from Peter Mansor who has posted a comment on IMDb. I can vouch for Peter being authentic. I not only received the full-length movie and trailer but another DVD has added features on the movie and the history of cinemiracle and cinarama. It is well worth the cost. Of course it is unrestored but that does not take away from the beauty of this movie and the excitement I feel every time I see it again!

I have the book and the album from this movie. I love the music! This is one of those movies that you never forget. It made me a lover of sea shanties as a child and I have been one ever since! I do not understand why this movie and soundtrack have not been restored and made available to the public. I understand that it would be very expensive to restore but there must be someone out there with love for this wonderful movie and the money to do it. This movie and the vintage Disney shows like "Walt Disney Presents" and "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color", which had great episodes like "The Ballad of Hector", (which is also unavailable), are some of the fondest memories I have as a child.

I have been looking forward to seeing this film for 20 years and got the opportunity to finally see it at the 60th anniversary of Cinerama festival at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. I definitely wanted to experience and like this movie. Although the recent restoration may look good on a TV screen, viewing it on a huge screen was extremely disheartening. Coming from a 35mm composite print, the picture was lackluster and considerably grainy and soft. Beyond the condition of the original elements, the film lacked any the "aaaahhhh" moments the Cinerama (Cinemiracle) process is able to provide. I know the film was made in the 50's but so were the other Cinerama travelogues. You do make have to make allowances for attitudes of the times these films were made along with the changes in filmmaking styles. Even so, WINDJAMMER in my opinion is painfully dull besides being dated. Unfortunately, this is one of the two Cinerama films being released in Blu-Ray and it is the most forgettable of the bunch.

Saw this movie as an 11 yr old. Totally enthralled as a child ... my mother was Swedish, so there was the Scendinavian interest. Grew up near Boston, ever fascinated with the ocean. The thought of going to sea as a cadet was a dream. I listened to the Windjammer record 100's of times, I'm sure. Was proud that the Christian Radich had visited Boston and that the young piano-playing cadet performed Edvard Grieg's piano concerto with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. The summer after high school graduation (1964), I boarded the Christian Radich in the Chicago harbor after it had sailed down the St Lawrence Seaway .. into the Great Lakes. I befriended one of the young cadets (my age) and after a tour of the C.R., walked the streets of Chicago with my new friend, discussing the realities of life on the great Norwegian sailing vessel. One of the highlights of my youth.

I saw this movie the first time in 1958 in Sweden and as I speak Norwegian got a lot more out of it than many others. I still sing Everybody Loves Saturday Night in Norwegian. Alla samans lyka lordag natt. I also saw it in Australia and have the original sound track record. Like the other comment I picture Norway through the eyes of the movie when Sven Eric played Giegs Piano Concerto. Incidentally he migrated to Australia and last I heard he was in the recording business. But what I desperately want is a copy of the video of the film. I know they released one but it is no longer available. Can any one help me to beg, borrow, buy or copy their video.

I must have been 5 years old when my German, sail-maker uncle took me to see this movie. I don't remember too many things from that age, but I remember this movie vividly.

As I remember it, it was shown in an enormous theatre... we had to travel some distance to get to where it was shown. I suppose it was similar to an IMAX film, now that I think about it.

I don't remember the plot, if there was one, just the breathtaking shots of a full-rigged ship sailing over the open ocean. Spectacular.

The film gave me a life long love of sailing (no doubt my uncle's 'hidden' agenda) and I've always wanted to see it again.

Oh well! A treasure lost!

There is actually a progressive re-edition of the different Cinerama movies as well as the Cinemiracle "Windjammer" on DVD and blu-ray, all regions format, with a process called smilebox which recreates the impression of the curve screen and of course uses the original format of the movie and aspect ratio.As of today 2 movies are already restored and on sale on the internet: "This is Cinerama" and "Windjammer". Normally in late October of 2013 "Cinerama Holiday" and "South Seas adventures" will be the next releases. I have bought the 2 first releases and it's amazing to see how the spatial effect still is felt although not using a three projectors system. To really take full advantage of those reprints, you should use a HomeCinema system with a video projector and a large screen or possess a large TV flat screen at home and also be equipped with a full dolby surround system. During the projection you should seat not too far from the screen as not to be distracted by the room environment. I 'm lucky to have a screen 2.4m wide and it is really impressive and recalls many memories of my youth when I saw all those movies at the Cinerama theater in Paris. Although they made a huge work to restore the original quality of the colors and definition, it is not completely successful because the restoration was faced with a limited budget. From this perspective this is a real scandal that the movie industry has not sponsored at the right level this enterprise . Those movies and the format used are part of the Cinema history and should have been preserved and restored at their best as one can see for even much older films than the Cinerama ones. We have today the technology for that. They are as important as Lawrence of Arabia, Les enfants du Paradis or any Hitchcock movie. They are part of our Movie History and Heritage. We should not forget that Cinerama, Cinemiracle, Todd-AO, Cinemascope and Vistavision are the ancestors of the actual formats we see in all theaters on widescreen. Without inventors like Fred Waller inventor of Cinerama, or Mike Todd who participated in the Cinerama adventure and created TODD-AO, we would not have such quality of picture today enhanced now by digital photography and sound and 3D.

I recall having seen this movie in Dortmund/Germany in a big cinema which seemed to have been specially prepared for the occasion. It must have been in 1959 or 1960. I really felt "seasick" at certain passages of this movie, the impact of the stereo pictures and the sound was tremendous for me. It is not just this particular memory which makes this very movie dear to me (even though I never saw it again). This very movie is the reason for my introduction to, and consequently, love for, classical music. Grieg's piano concerto, practised by one of the cadets all the way from Oslo to America for a public performance there (under Arthur Fiedler - I recall his white dinner jacket when conducting) opened up this musical sphere to me forever. Up to this day this music and the Norwegian landscapes shown in the movie are closely connected in my mind. All this a "key event".

EL

This was released in southern California at Grauman's Chinese Theater where its three-projector and massive screen requirements were provided at an expense that would probably never be reproduced today. I doubt that the IMAX system is anywhere near as complicated and the specially built theaters for its presentation are possibly less expensive to construct, adjusting for inflation, than what was done at the Chinese.

The opening scenes on an ordinary size screen were a suspenseful buildup to what was eventually revealed: a seemingly infinite opening of the drapes to a dizzying crow's nest view of the storm-tossed Christian Radich Windjammer as it left Oslo's harbor for its voyage. The Cinemiracle three-camera system (which involved a complex setup with mirrors and other technical details too numerous for an amateur to recount here) and the three-projector theater presentation, with full stereophonic sound, was an amazement in its time and I have not been as impressed with my recent visits to IMAX theaters to see the usually less interesting subjects designed to wow us today. The kinetic feeling imparted to the late-Fifties audiences who saw this film was easily more realistic than anything that IMAX has attempted.

Some years later, after the initial release, at the Cinerama Dome Theater on Sunset Blvd. (which was never set up to show three-projector films, since "Cinerama" was by then a single camera process, generally shot with 70mm Panavision cameras) a return engagement of "Windjammer" was advertised. I told a film-loving friend of mine, who had not seen its original release, that we ought to attend a showing. Imagine my disappointment when all that was shown was the middle panel, leading to some really strange sequences when seascapes were blank for an extended period of time as the Christian Radich proceeded from the unseen left panel, across the middle one, and off onto the unseen third panel on the right! I really didn't understand why they didn't edit this version so that only the action in the middle panel was shown, but that would probably have required some tinkering with the soundtrack, something that the people who had gotten their hands on this curiosity were seemingly much too cheap to do. Anyway, I convinced my friend that we were wasting our time and, after complaining in the lobby to a representative of the Cinerama Dome's management about what was undeniably a rip-off, we went up to Hollywood Blvd. and saw a first-run film, probably shot in CinemaScope or one of its equivalents. Less than a week later the ads for "Windjammer" in the LOS ANGELES TIMES movie listings carried a tiny disclaimer that the film was not being presented in its original format. IMDb.com information on this film seems to indicate that the 1962 re-release, under the Cinerama Corporation's aegis, was an anamorphic presentation, but what we saw at the Cinerama Dome was nothing more than a reproduction of the original negative's center panel and there wasn't anything wide about it.

Obviously the original negatives were not preserved, since a major studio was not involved in the production, and so its eventual transfer to video (which was, for example, accomplished with M-G-M's three-camera/projector Cinerama extravaganza, "How The West Was Won" with clearly visible demarcations to the left and right of the center panel, which were much less obvious in the Cinemiracle process, by the way) is now something that is lost in the mists of movie-going memory.

it was spectacular. It may look dated today, but it was wonderful then. It opened up with scenes in Norway as the crew prepared for the voyage. Then the ship left port and once it unfurled its sails, the curtains pulled to the side for an incredible cinematic experience. The movie followed the actual voyage of a group of young Norwegian cadets as they sailed the world. The soundtrack for this move is beautiful. I would love to see this movie again and, in fact, that's why I searched for this title in the first place. I have never forgotten this movie.

In late August of 2001 my brother and I boarded the Christian Radich in Portsmouth, UK and sailed, taking our turn at the helm, etc. to New York City by way of Las Palmas and Bermuda. Gunner Uttgard was the skipper at that time. It was a great experience. The sunrises and sunsets were spectacular! Several times we swam in the Atlantic. There was a regular crew of about 15, about 20 Norwegian volunteers and about 35 trainees.

Much earlier in my life I held a small boat instructor rating and have a general idea of the principles of sailing. This experience was a dream come true. I would recommend such an experience to any adventuresome soul.

We were replicating the voyage of George May and Hanna Hobson May and their seven children who made a similar trip in 1852 on the Kennebeck. Their final destination was Salt Lake City. Only four of them made it. Reid May