Young Woman and the Sea true story: How accurate is Daisy Ridley film?

Young Woman and the Sea true story: How accurate is Daisy Ridley film?

As a follower of true stories and inspiring biopics, I was utterly captivated by the new Disney Plus film “Young Woman and the Sea,” which brings to life the extraordinary journey of Trudy Ederle. Having grown up in America, I had never heard of this remarkable woman who defied odds and became the first woman to swim the English Channel.


Trudy Ederle is widely recognized as one of America’s most trailblazing athletes, and her inspiring journey is brought to life in the newly released film, “Young Woman and the Sea.”

At the end of May, the biopic made its cinema debut and is now streamable on Disney Plus. Daisy Ridley headlines this film, portraying a determined woman who aimed to be the first female swimmer to conquer the English Channel back in 1926.

He shared in an exclusive interview that he hadn’t heard of the story at all until reading Jeff Nathanson’s script about a decade ago. The fact that he wasn’t familiar with it piqued his interest, leaving him wondering why he hadn’t come across it before.

In this film, you’ll encounter a vibrant ensemble of characters played by renowned artists such as Christopher Eccleston and Stephen Graham. However, it’s essential to consider the film’s factual basis. Here’s what you should know.

Young Woman and the Sea true story: How accurate is Disney Plus film?

The movie largely sticks to the true story – based on Glenn Stout’s meticulously researched non-fiction book with the same title.

In the movie, we see that Ederger faced numerous challenges in her early years that seemed to make her remarkable athletic accomplishments improbable. For instance, she endured a severe case of measles as a child which resulted in near-deafness. Furthermore, the film provides an authentic portrayal of her perilous swim across the channel.

In the film, some aspects of Ederle’s story have been altered for added drama. For instance, it fails to include that she earned a gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Instead, the movie depicts her Olympic experience as a disappointing setback that ultimately motivated her towards achieving her greatest triumph.

Simultaneously, while Ecclestone’s character Jabez Wolffe was based on a real person and did once function as Ederle’s coach, certain elements appear to have been altered to make him more explicitly malevolent. For instance, the scene involving the tea.

In many biographical films, events are compressed in terms of time. For instance, between Ederle’s failed initial attempt and her triumphant crossing, there was an entire year elapsed. However, the movie portrays it as if only a few days had transpired.

Despite some creative liberties taken with the facts, the movie generally stays faithful to the real story. For instance, Bill Burgess, Ederle’s unusual second coach, is portrayed accurately. Additionally, the film depicts her triumphant return to New York and the record-breaking parade that ensued – as mentioned in the ending, this remains the largest athletic celebration in New York City history.

“Rønning expressed disbelief, remarking, ‘This is incredible!’ I’m grateful they captured the authentic footage since it’s hard to believe otherwise.”

“He praised his exceptional team who meticulously researched and constructed it. To authentically portray New York a century ago without slipping into clichés, we aimed for an authentic feel with texture, realism, and a touch of grit. It’s crucial when telling a true story to capture its unique charm.”

The Young Woman and the Sea is currently available to stream on Disney Plus. You can subscribe to Disney Plus for just £7.99 per month or save by paying £79.90 annually.

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2024-07-19 17:06