Voyage of the Yes (1973 TV Movie) User Reviews

El Condor Pasa

[drystyx · 7/10 · 10 March 2014]

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.

Adventure Film With Thematic Depth

[Lechuguilla · 8/10 · 22 December 2014]

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.

A worthwhile dramatic effort by two actors known for situation comedy

[Aldanoli · 8/10 · 14 April 2001]

A worthwhile dramatic effort by two actors known primarily for their work in situation comedies. Desi Arnaz Jr. (from, of course, his mother's series "Here's Lucy") and Mike Evans (Lionel Jefferson on "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons") battle both the elements and their own mistrust of one another on what starts out as a pleasure cruise in a sailboat from California to Hawaii; look quickly for future "angel" Della Reese in a small role. The movie also makes effective use of Paul Simon's song, "El Condor Pasa" (adapted from an Andean folk melody).

Could Have Been a Good Series

[Sargebri · 13 July 2004]

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.

A Surprisingly Good Made-for-Television Drama

[Uriah43 · 6/10 · 23 August 2014]

"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.

The best movie on sailing and self discovery ever made>

[ghost26mk2 · 10/10 · 22 November 2001]

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"

Classic TV Movie From 1973

[snowleopard · 9/10 · 14 February 2006]

I won't recant the plot, as that is listed here in the summary.

This film played on TV back in 1973, and at the time got some great reviews and created a little stir. Mercifully, the movie didn't just completely vanish in a vault, left only to memories, but has been saved and now can be found on DVD (Amazon, eBay, etc.) If you saw the film before, you are likely like me and when the title appeared again, want to again be touched as you once were. In that regard, you won't be disappointed. Oh, the film is dated, certainly. Some of it might make you chuckle here and there, and they obviously didn't have much of a budget back then, but that won't detract you at all, because the meaning in this story holds up extremely well. Even over 30 years later. The simply story of complex characters, and how they develop and grow is still as true today as it was then, and probably forever will be. The core of this film is very well written, and surprisingly well acted. I can't imagine anyone watching this film and not caring about the characters and being moved by their situation, their growth and friendship.

As to the DVD (when you find it) is no frills. The picture quality is not bad for the time, 4:3 TV aspect ratio, looking like a good VHS tape, or good old TV broadcast. The audio is mono, and generally good. Around 50 minutes in there is a slight buzz that might annoy you, but soon disappears. There are no trailers, no commentary, nothing like that. The DVD is coupled with a Johnny Cash/Eli Wallach film, "The Pride of Jesse Hallum", if that interests you, or if you can't find the title under Voyage of Yes, you may try it under that name instead.

Encapsulates 1973

[bryanbarberot-26584 · 10/10 · 21 March 2023]

This 1973 made for TV movie has always had a certain charm about it. I've often thought of "Voyage Of The Yes" throughout my life since seeing it as a 10-year-old.

You could tell Mike Evans ( Lionel Jefferson / All In The Family ) always had an edge to him as an actor. And you could see it here. People have commented they wish it would have been a series but I think it's a shame if it hasn't ever been adapted into a Play. The close quarters and being out to sea are more the co-stars of Desi Arnaz Jr and Mike Evans than Scoey Mitchell's brief but memorable performance.

I'm happy this movie from my childhood, a much simpler time is available.

Tales of a reluctant friendship.

[mark.waltz · 8/10 · 1 July 2023]

While cameos of veteran older actors Beverly Garland, Della Reese and Skip Homeier add a touch of style to this TV drama, it's the dramatic performances of two younger actors, Desi Arnaz Jr. And Mike Evans that is the glue that holds this above average TV movie together. Complete opposites, their characters tossed together for an ocean journey to Hawaii only reveals the emotion in the situation is their bond, the need to survive and help each other. Arnaz is a rather liberal teen heading for college, but inate prejudices are revealed that he has to come to terms with, coming to see Evans as a flesh and blood human rather than the trophy black friend he might have made in college just to prove how down with wokeness he was.

As for Evans, his character is someone desperately trying to make his way honorably in a world that seemingly hates him, not wanting anything to do with his drug selling uncle which leads to a knife accident that sends him on the run. He takes on a job as Arnaz's first mate on the two man voyage, and it takes a few blows from each one for them to wake up and see how much they need each other. Color lines disappear and human beings take its place, and a warmness between them comes in after dealing with an ocean storm and an attacking shark. The two sitcom actors give wonderful fully drawn performances, and the audience not only roots for them to survive but to maintain their newly found brotherhood after its all over. In just 75 minutes, so many lessons are learned, creating a TV movie classic.