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—— After Earth May 31
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White Squall

White Squall (1996)

tomatometer

62

Average Rating: 5.8/10
Reviews Counted: 34
Fresh: 21 | Rotten: 13

Though it gets occasionally bogged down by touchy-feely sentiment, White Squall benefits greatly from Jeff Bridges' assured lead performance and Ridley Scott's visceral, exciting direction.

64

Average Rating: 6.2/10
Critic Reviews: 14
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 5

Though it gets occasionally bogged down by touchy-feely sentiment, White Squall benefits greatly from Jeff Bridges' assured lead performance and Ridley Scott's visceral, exciting direction.

audience

62

liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 18,174

My Rating

Movie Info

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

PG-13,

Drama, Action & Adventure

Jun 22, 1999

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Cast

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All Critics (34) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (13) | DVD (4)

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.

July 25, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety
Variety
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This particular landlubber felt like jelly for the rest of the day, notwithstanding the hokey courtroom showdown that closes the picture.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out
Time Out
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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.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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

May 12, 2001 Full Review Source: Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
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The 20 or so minutes we spend with the Albatross in the squall is high adventure, to be sure. Everything else is ballast.

February 13, 2001 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
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Director Ridley Scott, who more than anyone else founded post-1960s visceral filmmaking, is at the top of his form in White Squall.

January 1, 2000
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic IconTop Critic

An old-fashioned, white-knuckle adventure with the excellent Bridges adding another great characterization to his increasingly impressive resume.

January 23, 2006
Fantastica Daily

Bridges puts his shoulder to the wheel and impresses audiences.

March 4, 2005

An Excellent Picture. It doesn't get any better

March 4, 2004
Moviehole

Stunning ocean visuals and a gut-wrenching storm sequence. An underrated and very good coming of age story.

June 19, 2003
KFOR Channel 4 News

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.

May 14, 2003
Palo Alto Weekly

Unengaging maritime thriller from Ridley Scott. Good cast, but fails to connect.

March 19, 2003
eFilmCritic.com

This is a very solid film with strong acting performances to boost it, excellent photography and a good soundtrack.

March 16, 2003 Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope
Laramie Movie Scope

Daring and dramatic film about the passage of a group of young boys who come of age during their adventures at sea.

August 22, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice
Spirituality and Practice

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.

June 5, 2002 Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine
Boxoffice Magazine

Audience Reviews for White Squall

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 average acting.
The young cast is clearly trying so very hard but with material like this, there is nothing they can do. When it comes to Jeff Bridges and his performance as a disciplined captain of Albatross, i find it way too stiff and blank for his own good.
It feels like Scott himself was on vacation while making this film. White Squall is well meaning film and tries to tell a important and tragic story, but unfortunately it fails badly. It is actually quite a disaster itself in Scott's own filmography. The whole film sinks way before the story's tragic accident is shown. By the time we get there the storm has already torn this film into tiny pieces.
What a mess and what a disappointment this film is.
February 21, 2012
emilkakko

Super Reviewer

The strongest force in nature is the will to survive.
December 16, 2009
ScoopOnline
Wahida K

Super Reviewer

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