White Squall

White Squall (1996)

  • 65% of critics liked it
    (31 reviews)

  • 62% of users liked it
    (17,823 ratings)

Based on a true incident from 1960, White Squall is the story of the tragic sinking of the Albatross, a prep school educational two-masted schooner, during a Caribbean storm. Screenwriter Todd Robinson wrote the script after meeting one of the tragedy's survivors, Chuck Gieg. In the film, Gieg… More

PG-13, 2 hr. 7 min.
Directed By
Ridley Scott
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure
In Theaters
Feb 2, 1996 Wide
On DVD
Jun 22, 1999

Critic Reviews

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

    Despite great scenery, the distinctive visual ideas of Mr. Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) and the strong dramatic presence of Mr. Bridges, most of White Squall remains listless and tame.

  • Jack Mathews, Los Angeles Times

    The 20 or so minutes we spend with the Albatross in the squall is high adventure, to be sure. Everything else is ballast.

  • Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

    Director Ridley Scott, who more than anyone else founded post-1960s visceral filmmaking, is at the top of his form in White Squall.

  • James Berardinelli, ReelViews

    This film offers just about everything, including a twenty-minute white-knuckle sequence and a chance to shed a few tears. In short, it's first-rate entertainment.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    I enjoyed the movie for the sheer physical exuberance of its adventure.

Read all 14 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Wahida K


    The strongest force in nature is the will to survive.

  • Anthony L


    Schmaltzy. Way too schmaltzy. It's like Dead Poet's Society on a boat. Good ending (unhappy) but overall, a forgettable film.

  • Jason O


    A group of teenage boys learn discipline, courage, and what it's like to stick together as a unit as they aboard the Albatross and ride it out into the great wide open in the Caribbean. Whether they're there because their parents want them to grow up and learn… More

  • xGary X


    One of Ridley Scott's less interesting offerings, this ocean bound adventure is typically nicely shot, but the onboard soulsearching is contrived and uninteresting. An interest in and knowledge of sailing would probably help. But I have neither.

  • danny d


    great movie, jeff bridges was really good

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

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