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 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 (Scott Wolf) is the narrator. He and his fellow students, whose parents have paid handsomely for their schooling, which combines classroom work with real-life adventure, are introduced to their grizzled seafaring captain, Christopher Sheldon (Jeff Bridges). Gieg is initially skeptical of Sheldon's authority, but he gradually comes to see the captain as a model of manhood. The other boys aboard include Frank Beaumont (Jeremy Sisto), a self-absorbed snob; Dean Preston (Eric Michael Cole), a troublemaker and bully; Tod Johnston (Balthazar Getty), a returning student; and the naïve Tracy Lapchick (Ethan Embry). John Savage plays the pompous English teacher aboard the ship. Various incidents establish the boys' insecurities and relationships with the authorities -- and foreshadow their eventual fate. The killer squall comes up quietly but soon turns deadly, and the boys are forced to go beyond their privileged upbringings and deal with real danger. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: 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.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
An old-fashioned, white-knuckle adventure with the excellent Bridges adding another great characterization to his increasingly impressive resume.
Andrew Griffin, Town Talk (Alexandria, LA)
Bridges puts his shoulder to the wheel and impresses audiences.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
An Excellent Picture. It doesn't get any better
Blake Davis, KFOR Channel 4 News
Stunning ocean visuals and a gut-wrenching storm sequence. An underrated and very good coming of age story.
Jeanne Aufmuth, Palo Alto Weekly
Dead Poets Society goes to the high seas in this overly ambitious tale of 13 young men aboard a floating prep school vessel. Their rite of passage is the core element in this all-spit and no-polish production.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Unengaging maritime thriller from Ridley Scott. Good cast, but fails to connect.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
This is a very solid film with strong acting performances to boost it, excellent photography and a good soundtrack.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Daring and dramatic film about the passage of a group of young boys who come of age during their adventures at sea.
Dwayne E. Leslie, Boxoffice Magazine
If the focus had been on the characters' experiences instead of the white squall, much more of the movie would have made a lasting impression.

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
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 responsibility, or whether they're there because they want to be, they will all learn the comraderie, the hardships, and everything else that goes along with traveling to sea. All of the good and the bad must come together when the Albatross runs into a white squall, a MAJOR storm at sea. How could anybody not love "White Squall"? There are a lot of great movies about going out to sea, and "White Squall" is up there with the best of them. It's not like "Crimson Tide", "U-571", and those; it's a spectacular coming of age film that has nothing to do with war. Scott Wolf, Ryan Phillippe, and the rest of the crew do a good job of acting, and Jeff Bridges does the best of all in portraying the sternness, yet warm-hearted character that is the Skipper. If you're a fan of coming of age movies like "Stand By Me", and if you like very entertaining movies that explore the hardships of life to a tee, get "White Squall" right NOW! It's one of the best movies you've never heard of. Example line from the movie: "I don't want it to end. I don't want to go back to what I was before I came here: anonymous." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2002.
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
Fascade F

I loved this classic movie of a man turning boys to men in this classic pic of boating adventure. It's good.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Jeff Bridges as Sheldon "Skipper"

            Caroline Goodall as Dr. Alice Sheldon

            John Savage as McCrea

            Scott Wolf as Chuck Gieg

            Jeremy Sisto as Frank Beaumont

            Ryan Phillippe as Gil Martin

            Becky Ann Baker as Ms. Boyde

            Balthazar Getty as Tod Johnstone

            Zeljko Ivanek as Sanders

            Jason Marsden as Shay Jennings

            Julio Oscar Mechoso as Girard Pascal

            James Medina as Cuban Commander

            James Rebhorn as Tyler

            David Selby as Francis Beaumont

            Jordan Clarke as Charles Gieg

            Lizbeth MacKay as Middy Gieg

            Eric Michael Cole as Dean Preston

            Ethan Embry as Tracy Lapchick

            David Lascher as Robert March

            Camilla Overbye Roos as Bregitta

            Charlotte Anderson as Danish School Girl

            Emily Chittell as Danish School Girl

            Nynne Christiansen as Danish School Girl

            Anja Clausen as Danish School Girl

            Andrew Hartley as Crew Member

            Mette Hocke as Danish School Girl

            Nathaniel Ives as Relief Bo'sun

            Lene Kristensen as Danish School Girl

            Jill Larson as Peggy Beaumont

            Nicole Ann Samuel as Girl In Brothel

            Jordan Scott as Danish School Girl

            Keith Peyton Thomas as Crew Member

            Anita Weider as Danish School Girl

            Chris J. Condon as Crew Member
See full cast