The Boys In The Boat: Fact Or Fiction?

The Boys in the Boat is a true story. The film, directed by George Clooney, is based on a non-fiction novel of the same name by Daniel James Brown. It follows a group of impoverished young Americans who, through rowing, emerge from the depths of the Great Depression to take on Hitler's regime at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The story centres on Joe Rantz, a poor kid whose attendance at the University of Washington is partly funded by his ability to row for the school's crew team. The film aims to depict the scrappy freshmen who, against great odds, rose to beat the most elite collegiate crew teams, putting the University of Washington on the map.

The true story of the boys in the boat

The Boys in the Boat is a true story about a group of impoverished young Americans who, through rowing, emerged from the depths of the Great Depression to take on Hitler's regime at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The story is based on a bestselling book of the same name by Daniel James Brown, which was inspired by a chance meeting with elderly crew member Joe Rantz.

The Crew

The rowing crew from the University of Washington was made up of nine Americans: Joe Rantz, Don Hume, George 'Shorty' Hunt, James 'Stub' McMillin, Johnny White, Gordy Adam, Chuck Day, Roger Morris, and coxswain Bobby Moch. They were known as the ''Husky crew' and came from working-class backgrounds, with fathers who worked as loggers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. Rowing offered these poor and struggling students the promise of food and a place to live, as well as the opportunity to earn money through part-time jobs secured by the university.

The Journey to the Olympics

The road to the Olympics was not easy for the crew. They faced tough competition from better-funded collegiate rivals, and some members, like Joe Rantz, dealt with harsh upbringings and personal hardships. Despite the challenges, they dominated the national collegiate rowing championships and raced to victory at the Olympic trials, becoming the first crew from Washington to represent the US at the games.

The Olympic Victory

At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the crew from the University of Washington faced off against the Italian and German teams in the men's eight event. Despite being given the worst lane, battered by the winds, they stuck to their tactic of sitting back before powering to a sprint finish. In a close finish, they won the gold medal by just half a second, becoming Olympic champions.

The Impact of their Victory

The victory of the 'Boys in the Boat' had a significant impact and symbolic value. It represented the triumph of working-class kids over elite schools and served as an inspiring underdog story during the Great Depression. Their win also put the city of Seattle on the map and became a source of national pride, as the US had a legacy to protect in the men's eight event.

Joe Rantz's harsh upbringing

The 1936 Berlin Olympic Games were a pivotal moment in sports history, and the story of the University of Washington's crew team, known as the "Boys in the Boat," has become legendary. But is it all true? Yes, the story is indeed a true one, and the harsh upbringing of crew member Joe Rantz is a key part of this remarkable tale.

Joe Rantz's early life was marked by hardship and instability. Born in 1914 in Spokane, Washington, his early years were spent in a loving and supportive family. However, tragedy struck when his mother, Claire, died of a heart attack when he was only four years old. This event set off a chain of unfortunate circumstances for young Joe. His father, Harry, struggled to cope with the loss and was unable to care for Joe and his sister, so they were sent to live with their maternal grandparents in Idaho. Unfortunately, this arrangement did not last, as Joe's grandparents could not afford to care for them during the Great Depression. As a result, Joe and his sister were shuffled between relatives and friends, often feeling unwelcome and like a burden.

At one point, Joe even lived in a chicken coop behind a relative's house, working odd jobs to earn his keep. He was often hungry and lacked proper clothing and shoes. Despite the hardships, Joe excelled in school and found solace in music, playing the violin and singing in the school choir. However, his academic and musical pursuits were often interrupted as he moved from one home to another. Joe's father eventually remarried, and Joe hoped that this new family would provide him with the stability he craved. Unfortunately, his father's new wife, Mary, did not want Joe or his sister to live with them, and they were once again left feeling unwanted and unloved.

Joe's determination and resilience shone through during these difficult years. He found a passion for rowing and joined his high school crew team, finding a sense of belonging and camaraderie. His natural talent for the sport was evident, and it became an outlet for his frustrations and a source of pride. Joe's rowing skills would eventually lead him to the University of Washington, where he became a key member of the crew team that would go on to make history in Berlin. Joe Rantz's harsh upbringing shaped him into the resilient and determined athlete he became. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to rise above challenging circumstances. It is no wonder that his journey, and that of his teammates, has inspired so many.

The University of Washington's junior varsity crew team's victory

The boys were chosen from hundreds of young men vying for a spot on the University of Washington's rowing team. Rowing was a popular sport at the time, and the University's program had been established since 1899. The team was coached by Al Ulbrickson, a former rower himself, who pushed the team extremely hard, training up to six days a week. Ulbrickson had a large pool of talent to choose from, and he was able to select the perfect team of eight, with advice from expert boat builder George Pocock.

The Husky crew quickly rose from junior varsity to Olympic hopefuls, outperforming the senior varsity team. This led Ulbrickson to make the controversial decision to enter the juniors into Olympic qualifying, causing consternation among traditionalists. The junior varsity team went on to dominate the national collegiate rowing championships in Poughkeepsie, New York, and then won the Olympic trials in Princeton, New Jersey, becoming the first crew from Washington to represent the US at the Olympics.

At the Olympics, the boys faced tough competition, including the Italian and German teams. Don Hume, the stroke who set the pace for the rest of the crew, fell ill with a chest cold on the journey to Berlin. Hume's participation was in doubt, but the rest of the crew refused to race without him, and he powered through his illness. The US crew won the gold medal by half a second in a close finish, with Hitler and other top Nazis watching from a balcony. The victory was especially sweet as it came during the Great Depression, and the boys were hailed as heroes for overcoming adversity and beating the Nazis.

The crew team's trip to the Roosevelt estate

The University of Washington rowing team, also known as the Husky crew, had a remarkable journey to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The team was made up of young men from working-class families, sons of loggers, dairy farmers, and fishermen. Their journey to the Olympics was not easy, as they faced financial challenges and had to fundraise for their trip.

Before a big race in Poughkeepsie, the crew decided to try and meet President Roosevelt, who lived nearby in Hyde Park. They rowed up the river and, after getting lost in the woods, they found the Roosevelt estate. President Roosevelt was not home, but one of his sons, who was also a rower, invited them in, and they had a chat about rowing.

This anecdote showcases the tenacity and determination of the Husky crew, who were not afraid to take initiative and go the extra mile, both literally and figuratively. It also highlights the human connection they shared with the Roosevelt family, as they bonded over their mutual interest in rowing.

The crew's visit to the Roosevelt estate is a testament to their spirit and their desire to make the most of their journey. It is a small but significant detail in the larger narrative of their Olympic quest, adding a personal touch to their remarkable true story.

The University of Washington rowing team's triumph at the 1936 Olympics was a victory not only for themselves but also for their country. They represented the resilience and determination of a nation struggling through the Great Depression. Their success put Seattle on the map and gave hope to people facing economic hardships.

The boys' lives after the Olympics

Don Hume, another member of the rowing team, also had an eventful life after the Olympics. He assisted the University of Washington's senior varsity eights in winning two national Intercollegiate Rowing Association titles. Hume then went on to fight in World War II, serving in the United States Merchant Marine from 1942 to 1945. After the war, he worked in the oil and gas drilling industry and was a part of the West Coast Mining Association. Hume passed away in 2001, leaving behind a legacy as a central figure in "The Boys in the Boat" and as a member of the University of Washington's Husky Hall of Fame.

The other boys also survived World War II, with Chuck Day serving as a naval doctor in the Pacific, Stub McMillin carrying out classified research, and Don Hume sailing with the merchant marine. They all went on to have good, solid middle-class lives and remained close friends, meeting for reunions over the years.

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