We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for The Hum

The Hum

Short Film (Full Length) – 1974

The Hum is about sailing legend Geoff Stagg, and his yacht Whispers. Directed by future advertising legend Tony Williams and written by actor Martyn Sanderson, the documentary is a paean to the lure of sailing; it focusses on Stagg’s colourful personality, and his veteran ocean-racing crew, as they take on the Wellington to Kapiti Island and down to the Sounds race. Fortunately for the film they deliver on reputation. Dolphins, Strait squalls, streaking, ciggies, and some fierce 70s moustaches are all in a weekend’s sailing. Stagg would go on to head renowned Farr Yacht Design (now Stagg Yachts).

It’s a hobby, an obsession, a lifetime commitment ... it’s like standing in a cold shower in a raincoat ripping up dollar notes.
– The narrator, on the lure of sailing

Produced by

Pacific Films

Acknowledgements

Presented with thanks to the New Zealand Film Heritage Trust – Te Puna Ataata

Music

Soundtrack features 'Sweet Painted Lady' by Elton John and 'Free as the Wind' by Engelbert Humperdinck

Categories

If you liked this, you might also like...

Collection
Collection image for The Tony Williams Collection

The Tony Williams Collection

This collection showcases the career of NZ screen...

Collection
Collection image for Wellington

Wellington

Wellington has been New Zealand’s capital city since...

Collection
Collection image for The Sailing Collection

The Sailing Collection

Take the trip: NZ On Screen's Sailing Collection offers...

Thumbnail image for Keeling Over

Keeling Over

Documentary on a 1980 yacht race

Thumbnail image for Spindrift

Spindrift

NFU documentary on Auckland sailing

Thumbnail image for Waka Warriors - First Episode

Waka Warriors - First Episode

More North Island sailing

Thumbnail image for Surf Sail

Surf Sail

Another 70s Cook Strait crossing

Thumbnail image for First Hand - Mahurangi Day

First Hand - Mahurangi Day

Documentary about a long-running ocean race

Thumbnail image for 3 Men and a Boat

3 Men and a Boat

Documentary about a Kiwi America's Cup challenge

Thumbnail image for Survey - Take Three Passions

Survey - Take Three Passions

Also directed by Tony Williams

Thumbnail image for Autumn Fires

Autumn Fires

A personal journey from Hum writer Martyn Sanderson

Thumbnail image for Kāpiti Hono Tātati Hono - My Island, My Home

Kāpiti Hono Tātati Hono - My Island, My Home

Documentary about Kapiti Island

Thumbnail image for Giants of the Past

Giants of the Past

Another sports documentary from Pacific Films

Thumbnail image for Before the Operations Begin

Before the Operations Begin

More Tony Williams ocean action

Thumbnail image for Survey - The Day We Landed on The Most Perfect Planet In the Universe

Survey - The Day We Landed on The Most Perfect Planet In the Universe

Also directed by Tony Williams

Thumbnail image for Billy T James America's Cup Challenge

Billy T James America's Cup Challenge

Billy T visits the 1987 Kiwi America's Cup challenge

Thumbnail image for Fast Forward - New Boat, Sail of the Century

Fast Forward - New Boat, Sail of the Century

A luxury yacht being built

Thumbnail image for Kupe - Voyaging by the Stars

Kupe - Voyaging by the Stars

Documentary on traditional Polynesian sailing

Thumbnail image for Sir Peter Blake - The Boy From Bayswater

Sir Peter Blake - The Boy From Bayswater

Documentary on sailor Sir Peter Blake

Thumbnail image for Tagata Pasifika - Hine Moana: A Journey Home

Tagata Pasifika - Hine Moana: A Journey Home

Another sailing documentary

Thumbnail image for Sporting Life - Yacht Designer Olin Stephens

Sporting Life - Yacht Designer Olin Stephens

Legendary yacht designer Olin Stephens

Thumbnail image for Inside Story: The Wahine Disaster

Inside Story: The Wahine Disaster

Documentary telling the story of the Wahine disaster

Thumbnail image for A Consuming Passion - An Unofficial History of the America's Cup

A Consuming Passion - An Unofficial History of the America's Cup

Documentary on the history of the America's Cup

Thumbnail image for The One Ton Cup 1971

The One Ton Cup 1971

Documentary about another legendary sailor

Thumbnail image for No Latitude for Error

No Latitude for Error

Documentary about a global boat race