White Squall

White Squall (1996)

  • 62% of critics liked it
    (34 reviews)

  • 62% of users liked it
    (18,174 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,
Directed By
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure
In Theaters
Feb 2, 1996 Wide

Critic Reviews

  • Brian Lowry, Variety

    The filmmakers take a rather facile, anachronistic "Oprah"-esque approach toward the boys' feelings about their families and the Skipper's role as a "tough love"-minded surrogate father.

  • Trevor Johnston, Time Out

    This particular landlubber felt like jelly for the rest of the day, notwithstanding the hokey courtroom showdown that closes the picture.

  • 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.

  • Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

    Typically, Bridges gives a deftly understated performance uncluttered by vanity or shallow pathos. No wonder he's not a star.

  • 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.

Read all 15 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

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

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

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Emil K


    White Squall may be directed by Ridley Scott, but it sure as hell does not remind that much of his typical work as a director. I find this visually unimaginative and dramatically uneven film that is fatally overlong also. Things are not helped by the horrible dialogue and the below… More

  • 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.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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