All language subtitles for Vindication.Swim.2024.720p.WEBRip.x264.AAC-[YTS.MX]

The sea is calming.

Its ebbs and flows beckon me
to return to its embrace.

The winds and tides
whisper my name.

As they draw ever nearer.

But do not fear the
water, Mercedes.

My daughter, my child.

Do not fear to lose sight
of the shore,

for I will wait for you...

on the other side
of the dark waters.

Let them carry you, Mercedes.

Let the waves draw you home.

You're a cheat!

Liar!
You didn't finish!

You're a fraud
and you know it!

You're a cheat!

You're a fraud and
you know it!

Liar!

Come on, Miss
Gleitze, tell us the truth.

Liar!
You didn't finish! Cheat!

You're a liar!

Fraud!
Cheat!

Champion Miss Gertrude
Ederle today made history.

Becoming the first ever lady to
conquer the English Channel.

Following an intensive training
regime in her native New
Jersey,

the American entered the chilly
waters of

Cap Gris-Nez early
Saturday morning

and for the next fourteen hours
and thirty one minutes

battled against the waves...

filled with enough grit and
determination

to see her through to Dover.

While the Americans Revel in
the glory

of their new Queen of
the Waves...

news of her victory will surely
come as a blow

to Britain's female Channel
hopefuls.

Come in.

I finished the shipping
report you asked for.

Leave it on the desk.

Is that all?

Yes, that's all.

Dear Sir Arthur,

I understand that you are
looking to sponsor a

British woman in an English
Channel swim...

now that we've been beaten by
the Americans in our own
backyard.

No doubt, you are aware that I
was so very close to becoming

the first ever woman to
complete the feat...

in my seventh attempt last
year.

I would have tried again that
summer

if I'd had the funds
to do so.

Still, this time has given me
the ability to rebuild
my stamina

at the Holborn Baths, where I
train each evening without
fail,

around my work as a
stenographer.

It is dull work, poorly paid

and I cannot slake my desire
for the Channel.

With each tap of the key, I
hear the splash of the sea.

Every waking hour, I
dream of the water.

For what once compelled me as a
girl,

now consumes me as a
woman.

Despite the loss to Gertrude
Ederle this summer...

I remain firm and resolute
in mindset.

To become the first British
woman to swim the English
Channel...

would be for me, the
greatest honor.

Yours faithfully,

Mercedes Gleitze.

Excuse me, Madam. Miss Gleitze?

Yes?

Thank you.

Wait here, please.

And I'll fetch you once
they're ready.

Yes, of course.
Right away, Sir.

Gade's medical results, Sir.
Requires your signature.

Sir Arthur Coleridge?

Yes, my dear?

Apologies for the intrusion,
I am Mercedes Gleitze.

I have been corresponding with
you in regards to a Channel
swim.

I frankly can't understand why
I'm not even being considered.

In your letter of rejection, you
failed to acknowledge

any of my achievements.

So I've come here to ask you,
what more can I possibly do?

Look, my dear...

Sponsorship for such a swim
cannot be granted on a whim

to any lady who comes looking.

There are certain attributes,
which must be considered.

Such as?

Well, you see the association
have already selected their
sponsee.

A fine lady by the name
of Mrs. Edith Gade.

In fact, she resigned her post
as a doctor

at King's College Hospital in
order

to take up our sponsorship
offer.

There is also the issue
of your name.

You see, Miss
Gleitze...

For a woman of your
circumstances,

it would be neither suitable nor
appropriate

for us to sponsor
you at this time.

If only they knew how
much you loved this country.

I knew her, you know...

Edith Gade.

She was on my staff at Rouyumont
during the war.

Only lasted three months before
she was struck off the register.

And how she was re-admitted to
King's College, God only knows.

Now breathe in for me.

And exhale.

Breathe in.

And exhale.

You're back to fighting fit.

Ever considered changing the
name

to something more anglicised?

No. I shouldn't need to.

I was born here for
heaven's sake.

Look, there is an old
client of mine...

Mr. Harold Best.

Harold Best.

Didn't he swim the Channel?

He did. He dropped off
the map after the war.

But I feel you might be able to

coax him out of his
self-imposed exile.

Mr. Best?

Hello?

Mr. Best!

What's the nature of
your calling?

I'm looking for Mr. Best.

I know that. What for?

I'm told he might be
able to train me.

Well, he ain't here.

But if you're hell bent, you
might try The Volunteer.

Thank you.

I'm looking for Mr. Best.

I'm told I might find him here.

You mean old Harold Best?

That's him, over in the corner.

Thank you.

♪ Farewell
And adieu, to you fair Spanish
Ladies ♪

♪ Farewell and adieu to
You ladies of Spain ♪

♪ For I've received orders for
To sail for old England, ♪

♪ And so nevermore, will
I see you again ♪

Mr. Best?

We've not been
previously acquainted.

No.

My name is Mercedes Gleitze.

I'm a swimmer and I'm told
you might train me.

I don't train anymore.

Especially not girls.

Well, I can assure you, I will
make it worth your while.

I intend to do anything--

I do not train girls!

Now, see you.

Fine. In your current state

you could hardly teach a fish
to swim, let alone a girl.

Good day, Mr. Best.

Your pronouncements will someday
land you

in a whole heap of bother!

If they've not done so already.

We'll rant and we'll roar...

like true British sailors.

We'll rant and we'll roar...

all o'er the salt sea.

Until we find landings...

in the Channel of
of old England.

From Ushant to Scilly...

is thirty-five leagues!

It's so risqué.

That's what I thought, they
really reveal all.

-Shows everything.
-That's right.

Very naughty.

Yeah. Sure.

It's just not proper
that she

wants was a strip off and dive
into that godawful water.

Well, it's down right
dangerous.

She ought to go back
to being a real woman.

Maybe she can't.
My doctor says it can unsex

a woman, all that physical
strain on the body.

It's obscene.

Ah Miss Gleitze.

I understand you speak German
and can write in shorthand.

Is that correct?

Yes. I'm fluent in German.

And somewhat with
the stenography.

Good, in that case I shall need
you to work late tomorrow night.

Is that alright?

Yes. Yes, that should be fine.

Excellent. See you then.

How long have you been with
us now, Miss Gleitze?

Just shy of two years,
I believe.

Two years. Really?

I don't smoke. Thank you.

And you live alone I believe?

Yes, I do.

Such a pity.

It really would be
a tragedy if a beautiful girl

like you were to be left on the
shelf, as it were.

I must confess, many a day I've
seen you here

and given thought to stealing a
kiss myself...

if it's not too bold to say.

It's Mercedes, isn't it?

It's Miss Gleitze!
And that is too bold.

You have a sharp tongue.

You know, I've had a lot of
girls working for me in here.

They come and they go.

But the ones who do best
in this company...

tend to adopt a more...

friendly attitude.

I suggest you go away and
think about that...

Miss Gleitze.

Well go on, that'll be all.

What's the verdict?

Well the wind's kicking
up about twelve knots.

She looks gentle here, but when
we're clear of that harbor
wall...

you'll feel her gusting
true enough.

And she's meant to pick up
throughout the day too.

But you can never tell
with the sea.

Can she make the swim?

She'll be fine,

so long as this northerly
don't shift to a sou-souwest.

With that, she'll be competing
against time and tide.

She's taken us about four
miles off course.

Well keep us steady damn it!

We should turn around,
try again come August.

We are not turning back. This
weather'll pass by sundown.

She'll never make it!

She has to try! Now
keep us steady.

A strong southwesterly has
blown in,

which matched with the ebb
tide

is pulling us dangerously close
to the shoals off Goodwin
Sands.

However, despite conditions
enough to deter even the most
steadfast sailor...

Miss Gleitze's spirits remain
high as she beats on

relentlessly against the
current.

5:00 PM and we're still
to clear halfway.

I'm told by the oarsman that
we've

missed the tide which will
add

another six hours onto the
swim.

Are you sure you want to
carry on with all this?

The night'll soon be upon us and
we're still nine miles from
shore.

There's no shame in quitting.

No!

I'm not quitting.

Not now.

I've got to make
it. I've got to.

Get her out! Quick!

What is it?!

It's my shoulder!

And you really think you've got
a chance

at swimming the Channel?

I'll have you know, I'm not
some bored housewife who

one Sunday decided she wanted
to attempt a Channel swim.

I'm deadly serious.

Hell bent, you might say.

Well, let's see you
take to the water then.

Alright.

So, what changed your mind?

You remind me of someone
that I knew...

a long time ago.

May I ask who?

No you may not.

I know you said that
money is tight.

It's not why I'm doing it.

You can pay me back out
of your winnings.

I want it understood...

you may think that you
got close last time.

Cold, extreme fatigue,

it's bested
the strongest of men.

Well, thank God I'm a woman.

Amateur Swimming Association sponsee, Mrs.
Edith Gade,

was seen here at a fundraising
ball held in her honour.

An English Rose with a smile
to mesmerize the nation

the slender swimmer was joined
by association president, Sir
Arthur Coleridge.

Who relayed his confidence and
spoke of his desire to help

raise the prestige of Britain's
lady Channel swimmers.

The battle between
Britain's bathing beauties
entered a new stage today

with Mrs. Edith Gade's
arrival in Dover

alongside husband and trainer
Mr. Samuel Huntington

ahead of rival swimmer,
Miss Gleitze.

When asked if she felt any
reluctance in competing against

seven-time attemptee, Miss
Gleitze...

Gade simply replied, may
the best woman win.

Thank you.

Come in.

My resignation.

You can't quit.

You have no husband. Besides
your employment here you have
nothing.

What on Earth do you
intend to do?

I'm going to swim the Channel.

Good day.

Got us two seats. Third
class only I'm afraid.

Waved off from St. Pancras
Station,

Miss Gleitze today
departed from London bound for
the Dover coast

in preparation for what will be
her eighth attempt at a Channel
swim.

Accompanying the pretty young
typist, trainer Harold Best

who swam the Channel himself
in 1911 and was for a time

lauded as Britain's finest
swimmer since Captain Webb.

What many a superstitious
mariner made mistake
for a mermaid...

the swimming beauty seen
in Folkestone harbour
is in-fact Miss Gleitze

sticking to her rigorous
training regime

and showing no fear
of submerging beneath
the chilly harbor waters.

Although with Miss Gleitze
going head to head

with Mrs. Gade
in the race for the Channel

it certainly doesn't appear
as if

it will be any cooler
in the water this summer.

Miss Gleitze?

Can I help you?

My name is Mr. Havers...

And I've been sent to
deliver this to you.

Courtesy of Mr. Huntington.

He hopes you find it
satisfactory compensation

and politely requests you return
to London

at your earliest connivence.

- And why would I want to do
that?

Well, I think you'll find Mr.
Huntington has been extremely
generous...

in his offer.

I'll wager the amount far
exceeds that which

someone such as yourself would
usually be akin to.

Someone such as myself?

In this country, Miss Gleitze,
an unmarried woman

at your age raises suspicion.

And and five years cavorting
around in a one piece

has done nothing to dispel that.

Isn't it best you
step aside now

and avoid further humiliation,
losing to Mrs. Gade.

Well perhaps even if you're
averse to finding a husband, the
money

can at least afford you
a sense of propriety.

Well...

Mr. Havers, when he
put it like that...

it does make an awful
lot of sense.

Despite being new to the sport,
I'm sure Mrs. Gade's integrity

alone will see her across the
finish line.

Should you need I could escort
you to the railway station
tomorrow morning?

That won't be necessary.

As you wish.

Perhaps you could give me the
name of Mr. Huntington's hotel?

I should like to write him
personally, to thank him for his
generosity.

The Seabrook Hotel.

Samuel Huntington, I presume?

May I help you?

I believe this belongs to you.

You might have been able to buy
the ASA, but you can't buy me.

First to the finish
then, Miss Gleitze.

A fitting farewell at
Dover harbour today

as Miss Mercedes Gleitze sets
off to France

to undertake her eighth
attempt at the Channel.

Following the havoc wreaked
upon the swimming season by
the tempestuous weather...

Miss Gleitze will attempt to
swim back in the direction of
England,

hoping to beat the
southwesterly winds.

Undaunted by the prospect of
making a swim so late
in the season...

the gamble may well land
victory for the plucky former
typist

as news comes of Mrs. Gade's
departure from the race,

in response to this summer's
storms.

Hello.

My friend.

This is Mercedes,
introduce yourselves.

Conditions tomorrow should
be nigh on perfect.

Sou-by-souwesterly blowing.

Deep tide to boot.

Should be flat as a mill pond.

What if I didn't make it?

Oh, I'll wager you can arrive at
a thousand reasons why you
won't.

All you have to do is hang on
to the one that says you can.

It's only there, you know.

Just beyond the horizon.

For hour after hour, you'll be
kicking away at the ocean...

then you reach that point...

raise your head out
of the water...

and you see it.

See what?

White cliffs.

That's when you know
you've made it.

Why did you stop swimming?

I mean, you had it all, you were
the best swimmer in the world.

And then you just, left
it all behind.

The sea gave me everything.

And then it took it all away.

My son...

joined the Navy, as
he came of age.

Served as signalman
aboard SS Mendi.

Twenty first of February,
1917.

She was struck by a merchant
vessel off St. Catherine's
point.

Went down in eight minutes.

And my boy went down with her.

My wife, Margaret...

couldn't take the pain.

Loss of her only son.

The ordeal took her mind.

And then, took her life.

I wanted to thank you.

For everything.

This...

it's all I've got

Twenty-five fathoms.

We're falling behind.

Here.

How's the tide?

She's pulling
like a bastard.

Can anyone lay eyes on
the swimmer?

Can't spot her for all
this glare.

Here.

There she is. Two o'clock
off the starboard bow.

Steamer! Headed straight for us.

Quickly boy! Go on!

Watch for the
ship!

Watch for the ship!

Watch for the ship!

Faster! Catch her.
Catch her.

Come on! Quickly! Swim!

Mercedes!

There's a boat dead ahead.
Take it slowly.

Mercedes!

God almighty! Hard to starboard!

- Come on Mercedes!
Come! Come!

Hold fast and watch
for the wake.

Ah! Ah! I've been stung!

Stay calm!

Stay calm and swim clear.

Ahoy!

Hey! What
is our position?

You're approaching the English coast.
About three miles.

Thank you, sir.

Good luck to you!

She's made it!

She's done it!

She's done it!

You made it!

Come on this way, up the shore.

Come on.

Miss Mercedes Gleitze, the
pretty young typist...

today claimed victory over
the English Channel

on what was her
eighth attempt at navigating

the water between Calais and
Dover.

Touching down
on St. Margaret's Bay

at ten minutes past six
in the evening...

the plucky swimmer spent
a gruelling fifteen hours

and fifteen minutes at sea...

battling strong currents and
jellyfish stings

as she made her way across the
world's busiest shipping lane.

Having proved herself to be
a swimmer worth her salt...

Miss Gleitze will go
down in history

as the first British woman to
ever swim the English Channel.

The Home Secretary today
met with

Miss Mercedes Gleitze at his
offices in Whitehall.

The swimmer pledged support for
his equal franchise bill...

which would bring about equal
voting rights for women
nationwide

and lower the female voting age
from thirty to twenty-one.

Good evening, Miss Gleitz.

Thank you.

A strange prospect for you
Miss Gleitze,

having your voice transmitted
by wireless into the home

of every man in the
country.

Yes, it is a little
strange.

I find it's rather like
the white cliffs.

You know they're there but you
can't quite see them all the
same.

Yes, indeed. Now tell
us if you will...

what was it exactly that led
you to

decide to swim the English
Channel?

I suppose it's the
lure of the water.

We are all drawn to the sea.

It harks back to the first
days of human exploration.

That sense of not knowing what
lies beyond

but a yearning to find out
nonetheless.

Ever since I was a girl, I've
had a longing for the water.

To swim for me is like...

nothing else in the world.

I understand the water.

Its movements.

Its rhythm.

And sometimes I fancy it
understands me too.

Having traded pebbles for
pearls,

Channel swimmer Mercedes
Gleitze was seen sporting

an elegance contrary to her
usual swimming attire...

at the London premiere of the
new Bebe Daniels
motion-picture

"Swim Girl, Swim."

Miss Gleitze was welcomed as a
special guest onto the red
carpet

of the romantic comedy picture

about two ladies involved in
the world of Channel
swimming...

featuring a cameo appearance
from fellow Channel champion,
Miss Gertrude Ederle.

The beautiful starlet, Miss Bebe
Daniels! Nice trip across the
pond Miss Daniels?

Well, it's lovely to
be back in London.

And it's lovely to see so many
of you turn out tonight for the
movie.

Hello?

Err, there has been
a development.

Mrs. Edith Gade splashed
onto the sands

of St. Margaret's Bay at low
tide this morning

following the shock completion
of an English Channel swim.

Believed to have withdrawn from
the race,

Gade's spontaneous
appearance has rocked the boat
of the swimming world.

In a record time of thirteen
hours and ten minutes,

the slender swimmer triumphed
over temperatures well below
that which

any normal body, male or
female,

could feasibly endure for any
prolonged period.

Her swim too comes just a short
comes just a short while after
fellow

lady swimmer, Miss Mercedes
Gleitze,

also completed a crossing in
October.

When asked on the shore about
how her victory felt,

Mrs. Gade simply replied;
"Tiring."

But went on to thank her
team and added...

" But I suppose it goes to show
that

indeed anyone can swim the
English Channel."

I don't see this should
affect anything much.

You're still the first English
woman to swim it?

Beat your time true enough, but
doesn't affect anything much.

The fact remains, you
swam it first.

I fail to see how she can
jeopardize that inform.

I can assure you.

That woman is not to be trusted.

Ladies and gentleman.

It is my great pleasure to
bring to you a pair

of ladies who need no
introduction.

- But I shall give them one
regardless.

It was said that for a woman to
swim the Channel,

it was an impossible feat.

Now this summer of twenty-seven,
we've seen not one,

but two homegrown ladies conquer
the sea.

Cheers.

Thank you.

One of whom, now holds the
record as the fastest ever

Channel swimmer at a time of
thirteen hours and ten minutes.

And the other,

an equally impressive fifteen
hours and fifteen minutes.

So without further ado,
will this evening's
honorable guests,

please put their hands together
in vigorous applause...

For Miss...

Mercedes Gleitze!

And Mrs...

Edith Gade!

Have a wonderful evening
and enjoy the band.

Gentlemen, ladies, I'm afraid
you'll have to excuse me.

There is something
I must attend to.

Well, Mercedes, nice to
put a face to the name.

A far cry from the pretty
young typist.

Who'd have thought a girl from
such humble beginnings

would achieve such sporting
success.

Well, surely one's background
is of little consequence.

You yourself said that anyone
can swim the Channel.

Said to the press.

So you do not believe it then?

Well, I haven't really paid it
any thought.

Why do you ask?

I suppose I just find it odd...

that you would make such a
profound claim to the press.

and then not actually
believe in it.

Well perhaps I do believe in it.

Well, do you?

I suppose that yes,
theoretically anyone can swim
the Channel.

Don't you agree, Miss Gleitze?

No.

It takes a great deal more than
a theoretical belief

in swimming the Channel to make
it in practice.

I mean, how can you
theoretically account for the
cold?

The tide.

Surely it's of little
consequence.

The swim was made, and as far as
I'm concerned,

that's all that matters.

Perhaps.

Well, fifteen hours at sea is
ample time for thinking.

You certainly seem to
have an opinion on most things.

And acquired a new taste for
champagne, I see.

Touché.

But then again, I can hardly
hold a candle to your drinking
abilities.

What do you mean?

I was just surprised seeing
you drinking champagne so
effortlessly.

Immediately after swimming
for thirteen hours and ten
minutes.

- Oh, I see.
- And not a shiver in sight.

I'm sorry?

Your hands.

They didn't tremble at all when
you took the glass.

It was quite remarkable.

Especially when I could hardly
hold up my own head.

My, my head is spinning
with all this chatter.

I-- I must be excused. I need
to go and powder my nose.

My apologies. I didn't mean
to cause discomfort.

You did only complete the swim a
couple of days ago, and I
applaud your efforts.

I really do.

Fastest woman in the world.

You're too kind, really. Enjoy
the rest of your night.

Samuel, darling.

Why did you do that?

She found a way to get under
your skin true enough.

But to take the bait!

You saw the picture show.

She strode up the beach as if
she just been for a paddle.

No sooner has she left the
water, she's there swooning

around with no sign of fatigue
whatsoever.

You know there's rationale
to what I'm saying.

Even if you are hypothetically
right

and she didn't actually make the
full swim...

for you, a fellow swimmer, to
come forward and make such an
accusation.

Well don't you see,
it's suicide!

D'you know how people
will look at you?

Well I imagine, not so different
from the way they perceive me
now!

I'm paraded out, plastered
on advertisements.

And don't go thinking that's
purely on account of my talents
in the water.

When you signed up to swim the
Channel

you knew exactly what it would
entail.

I signed up to be a swimmer
not a pin-up girl, Harold!

Oh please.

Please, don't pretend that
you're agin all the fame that
this has given you!

Pull over, please.

What are you doing?

It's a nice evening. I
think I shall walk.

Thank you very much.

Allegations have emerged
casting doubt on the
plausibility

of the Channel attempt
undertaken by Mrs. Edith Gade.

The ostensible swim came under
scrutiny following

revelations by photographer,
Mr. PJ Templeton

who came forward alleging he
was offered a substantial

financial sum by Mrs. Gade's
husband

in return for forged pictures
documenting various stages of
the swim.

I was offered four hundred
pounds to photograph Mrs. Gade

in the water just off shore

and accompany them by boat
across the Channel

where upon her return to the
water,

I would take pictures of
her arrival in Dover.

Also placed under scrutiny
in light of the hoax...

is Amateur Swimming Association
president, Sir Arthur
Coleridge...

who championed Mrs. Gade and

through the Association, was
her official sponsor.

However, the panel later found
Sir Arthur to be absolved

of conspiracy in connection to
the Gade case.

In what has been termed the
hoax of the century,

Mrs. Gade and her husband were
fined one-hundred pounds each

for swearing to a false
affidavit.

I'd like to take this
opportunity to apologise to the
British public...

whom I have deceived.

And the Amateur Swimming
Association, whose good name I
have tarnished

in my unfounded and wholly
fabricated claims of a
successful Channel swim.

But let it be stated here, on
record, that what I sought to
prove through my hoax...

was that indeed anyone can claim
a Channel swim,

regardless of whether such an
endeavour was completed.

Once again, I apologies most
sincerely for my actions...

and shall resign myself from the
world of open water swimming.

- You're a liar!
Cheat!

Fraud!

They're having you
appear before the tribunal.

We'll both have to testify, in
order to prove and confirm that

you did indeed complete the
swim.

I don't understand.

They're worried that
you

also fabricated
particulars of your swim.

In their eyes, they've caught
her, so another woman swimmer
claiming the same feat...

mere weeks prior,

will arouse suspicion.

The association has a
reputation to uphold.

They've already adopted a new
constitution in response

to all this.

They can't do this.

Don't worry. We'll go
in there together and

protest your innocence.

Now...

you need to get some rest.

Alright.

And Harold...

thank you.

Good night.

Now remember...

speak only when spoken to.

And do try to keep your head.

The panel will look
disfavourably upon a woman who
speaks out.

That's just the nature
of it, I'm afraid.

- Miss Gleitze!
- Liar!

Mercedes, tell us
the truth!

The Channel Swimming
Association will begin

deliberation today on the case
of Miss Gleitze...

attesting to the legitimacy of
her English Channel swim.

The former typist was
cross-examined by the panel

along with trainer
Harold Best.

The integrity of Miss Gleitze
was thrown into doubt as the
panel

probed into her previous failed
attempts at the crossing.

Dr. H.W. Phillips, Miss
Gleitze's longtime physician

who was president on all eight
swims

was brought forward to provide
his medical

documents as evidence in the
case.

The purpose of this
hearing shall be to examine.

It is the prerogative of the
panel to examine that which is
brought before us...

and to arrive at a solid
judgment.

Indeed, madam...

was there even a registered
member of the CSA aboard the

pilot vessel for the duration of
the swim?

No.

There was not.

And was an official present
either the stepping off into

the water at Cap Gris-Nez or at
the completion in Dover?

No.

Well this appears to be a
complete violation of CSA
rules...

and strong grounds for the
revocation of Miss Gleitze's
record.

Mr. Chairman!
Would you be so kind as to note

that my learned friend has made

a number of inaccurate
assumptions...

in his pronouncements and owing
to his uncertainty in these
matters...

what he has said ought to be
struck from the record!

Sit down!

Please, Mr. Best.

On what grounds might his
suppositions constitute such
action.

Well, in fact...

at the time of Miss
Gleitze's swim...

the official regulations of the
CSA had not yet come into
effect.

So the swim was in fact
completed within the bounds

of legality for the time at
which it took place.

Very well.

But the fact still remains,
there is an innate lack of hard
evidence...

They're going to invalidate
the swim.

Take my title.

It doesn't matter what
they call you.

What matters is what you do.

That's the problem.

They don't believe I did it.

Then make them believe.

But you don't understand...

I can't.

I don't see you've got a choice.

Harold?

Mercedes...

Is that you?

Edith, why are you calling me?

What more could you possibly
want from me?

I called to tell you
that what I did

had nothing to do with you.

I'll never understand
why you did this.

When you know full well,
I did

swim the Channel.

I know you did.

But they'll never believe you.

I'm sorry, Mercedes.

Seems to me...

you've got two choices:

One, you can...

change your name...

move to the country...

and ne'er speak of
swimming again.

Or two...

you can face those
bastards head-on.

Show them what you
know to be true...

that you...

can swim the English Channel.

Miss Gleitze has a statement
she has prepared.

Now...

I understand your concern.

Perhaps more so than my coach.

I am of the opinion...

that to continue further
would be futile.

And therefore I will no longer
seek to protest

my case before
this tribunal.

Instead...

I shall vindicate myself through
the undertaking of another swim.

And if I succeed...

I want it stated, here, now...

that my title as first English
woman to swim the Channel shall
remain standing.

Order! Order!

Very well, but on your head
be it Miss Gleitze.

To great fanfare Mercedes
Gleitze sets out on her
vindication swim...

to restore the prestige of
Britain's lady Channel

swimmers in the eyes of the
world.

My conscience is clear but I
want to repeat my performance

in front of all the witnesses I
can.

Having done it once, I am
determined to swim it again.

The plucky words of Miss
Gleitze as she

prepares to once again conquer
the English Channel.

From the outset the swim was
beset by difficulty...

with near all witness vessels
forced to turn

back with the onset of
inclement weather.

The band set to serenade with
Miss Gleitze on her
crossing

were overcome by a strong
bout of seasickness...

and forced to abandon
their accompaniment.

Prior to setting out there was
fierce debate among
the seafaring community

as to whether a woman could
survive a swim
so late in the year

following sightings of
herrings off Deal

which signals the arrival
of cold North Sea water.

However, trainer Harold
Best stood firm

and relayed his confidence in
Miss Gleitze, asserting

she possesses powers of
endurance as I have never seen
in the strongest of men.

Miss Gleitze, I have
brought you here today

because I have a proposal that I
believe may be of interest to
you.

The ASA...

being as they are, is unwilling
to fund a Channel swim in
October.

However, I believe I can still
be of assistance to you.

I am willing to cover the
cost of the swim...

personally.

I was a fool not to take you
on when I had the chance.

Here, have some grapes.

How long have
I been going?

You're at four hours, twenty-six
minutes in the water.

Come on girl.

I'm going to have
to take it off.

It's chaffing.

Fine, you can do that.

But it'll have to go back
on again in an hour.

I'm gonna put a stop to this.

It's gone on for far too long.

I'm afraid I'll have no choice
but to terminate the swim.

The conditions are
simply too cold.

How far are we from shore?

About six miles.

That's a lot of open water.

It is a lot of water.
She moves too slowly.

If she continues to be exposed
to these temperatures,

she'll more than likely develop
hypothermia.

If she's not done so already.

Give her more time,
she's used to these conditions.

She won't be
able to withstand this cold much
longer.

As the team's medical officer, I
demand we terminate the swim!

We need to get her out.

She has to be brought back
into the boat now.

There's no time to lose!

I can see them.

I can see them!

Wait!

I can see them.

I can see them!

What is it?

That's it. I'm putting
a stop to this.

She needs to be taken
out of the water now!

Mercedes
stop!

Stop!

Mercedes stop!

Hurry, boy! Hurry!

Hurry!

Stop now!

Stop, Mercedes! Stop!

Someone cast a line.

Line!

Take the line!

Take the line! Mercedes!

Come back!

Mercedes!

Mercedes, come to the boat!

Swim over!

Mercedes! Come back
Mercedes! Come to the boat!

Faster! Catch her up!

Mercedes, you must stop!

Mercedes come to the
boat! Come to the boat now!

Come on!
Catch her!

Come on, catch her! Over to her!

Take my hand.

Give me your hand now!

Don't swim away! Don't!
Don't swim away!

Please Mercedes.
Please, it's over.

Mercedes you
must come back!

Mercedes!

Come back!

You cannot reach the
shore on one arm!

I could see them.
I could see them.

Let me see the
arm.

I can feel some swelling.

Does this hurt?

Ah!

Can we get her something
warm to drink?

I could see them.

It's only a sprain,
swimmer's shoulder.

I could see them.

Look!