Based on The True Story of the First Woman to Swim the English Channel

In the Young Woman and The Sea Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children. In the Young Woman and The Sea Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

Sometimes the title of a movie gives you an idea of what the movie is about. With Young Woman and The Sea, you might think it is about a woman fisherman similar to The Old Man and the Sea. However, you would be wrong. This film does have some of the same elements, such as a person enduring hardship and overcoming challenges to win, but this film is so much more than confronting the sea. It is based on the true story of Gertrude Ederle and her quest to overcome society’s barriers that prevent women from competing.

Young Woman and the Sea Christian Movie Review

Studio Synopsis:

Disney’s Young Woman and the Sea, the extraordinary true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel, will come to theaters nationwide in a special engagement from May 31-June 14, 2024. Daisy Ridley stars as the accomplished swimmer who was born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and. complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from France to England.

My Synopsis:

A daughter of German immigrants, Trudy Ederle faced adversity and challenges that would cause most people to give up. However, she swam against the tide of ridicule and prejudice to prove to herself and the world that a woman could compete against society’s preconceived notions. She not only competed in the 1924 Olympic games, but also became the first woman to swim The English Channel. Her achievements helped pave the way for women in sports. 

Young Woman and The Sea Christian Review What Parents Want to Know

Language:

Mild language includes one “my g-d,” three uses of a-s, one h-ll, and the British use of the word bloody. Additionally, there is some crude language such as a “suck an egg,” and imbecile.

Violence:

 In the beginning of the film, Trudy has measles and the doctor says she will die. A steamboat is on fire in the harbor, and you see thick black smoke. Over 840 people are said to have died because they couldn’t swim and the majority of them being women and children.

When Trudy is crossing the English Channel, she swims through swarms of jellyfish and is shown with scars on her body. She is also shown swimming in the dark and becomes disoriented. It looks like she will drown.

Several times people are shown sick and vomiting.

Spiritual Content:

​A cross is hanging on a wall. Someone says, “We pray she finds her way,” and another scene mentions nuns will be guarding the rooms of female swimmers.

Other Content:

Several times people are shown drinking, and this includes wine, beer, and hard liquor.

A person is shown putting drugs into a drink and giving it to Trudy without her knowledge. This causes her to become sick and pass out.

A man is shown with just a loin cloth on, and his rear end is exposed. Later, he gets out of the water and he is naked. However, he is only shown from behind. He says, “I swim in the buff.” Additionally, women’s swimsuits are measured by police officers and arrested if too much leg is exposed.

Positive Content:

 This story of competitive swimmer Trudy Ederle is filled with positive content and an encouragement to young girls everywhere. Furthermore, the musical score is excellent.

Teachable Moments with Young Woman and the Sea

First, I absolutely love films that are based on true stories. It is easy to teach with these types of films. This film is about endurance and perseverance. Look up Bible verses about endurance and perseverance.

Next, take facts from the movie and look up the actual statistics. How long did it take Trudy Ederle to complete her history-making swim? What medals did she win in the 1924 Paris Olympics? Did she win a gold medal? How many siblings did she have? Was her sister Meg present when she succeeded in crossing the English Channel? You can also read the book Young Woman and the Sea by Glenn Stout. (Although I have not read the book, I do not know if it is suitable for all audiences.)

Research arranged marriages in the United States. What cultures still have arranged marriages?

​Visit Coney Island. Before going, research vintage Coney Island and find out what type of attractions and what it looked like in different eras.

Other items to research: Carrier pigeons, telegraph, and ticker tape parades.

Christian Review of Young Woman and The Sea – My Viewing Recommendations

This movie is for every girl who has been told that they can’t compete. It is for every woman who has faced ridicule or sabotage when they have tried to have a seat on a board or voice in the direction of their own life. However, it is also for our sons, husbands, and fathers to remind them of how far we have come, but also the sacrifices made to get to where we are now.

While Young Woman and The Sea is inspiring, it also serves as a reminder of the human spirit. Trudy felt called to something other than what her father and society dictated, and she pursued that with a passion. This is a great family film, but younger children will likely be bored with a runtime of over 2 hours.

About the Movie – Young Woman and The Sea:

Rating: PG for thematic elements, some language and partial nudity

Release Date: May 31, 2024

Runtime: 2 hour, 9 minutes

Genre: Biographical Drama

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Directed by: Joachim Renning

Written by: Jeff Nathanson

Based on Young Woman and the Sea by Glenn Stout

Produced by: Jerry Bruckheimer, Chad Oman, Jeff Nathanson

Edited by: Una Ni Dhonghaile

Music by: Amelia Warner

Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The Cast of Young Woman and The Sea:

Daisy Ridley as Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle (Daisy Ridley played Rey in the Star Wars sequel etiology: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker

Olive Abercrombie as Young Trudy

Christopher Eccleston as Jabez Wolffe

Stephen Graham as Bill Burgess

Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Margaret Ederle (Meg – Trudy’s Sister)

Lily Aspell as Young Meg

Kim Bodnia as Henry Ederle (Gertrude’s father)

Jeanette Hain as Gertrude Anna Ederle (Gertrude’s mother)

Glenn Fleshler as James Sullivan

Sian Clifford as Charlotte “Eppy” Epstein

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I watch Young Woman and The Sea?

Young Woman and The Sea releases into theaters from May 31 – June 14, 2024.

Is there an end-credit scene for Young Woman and The Sea?

No, there is no end-credit scene.

What other movies has Joachim Rønning worked on?

Director Joachim Rønning has been involved in the following films: Maleficient: Mistress of Evil, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, and the upcoming Tron: Ares movie.

Will Young Woman and the Sea stream on Disney+?

Since Young Woman and The Sea is a Disney project, it is expected to air on Disney Plus.