This film by Jacques Cousteau and his close free-diving associates was an absolute sensation in its day and in my view it still is sensational as it brings that sense of adventure that has been lost somewhat with a plethora of color underwater footage on TV screens in more recent decades.

Pioneer skin diver Philippe "Didi" Dumas is seen here swimming around underwater with the barest minimum of dive equipment (most remained to be invented!) shooting lots of fish with a timber band speargun that has the spear placed in it after cocking the rubber bands. You see him arming this newly developed home-made gun early on in the film. He later drags out some pretty big fish, I was amazed, but of course he is the first spearfisherman that the fish will have encountered in those pristine waters.

A film that is a must see for anyone who goes under the sea in search of adventure and the wonders of the submarine world. This is where it all began.