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The Finest Hours

Play trailer 1:45 Poster for The Finest Hours PG-13 2016 1h 56m Adventure Action Mystery & Thriller History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
64% Tomatometer 198 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
On Feb. 18, 1952, a massive storm splits the SS Pendleton in two, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the tanker's sinking stern. Engineer Ray Sybert bravely takes charge to organize a strategy for his fellow survivors. As word of the disaster reaches the Coast Guard in Chatham, Mass., Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff orders a daring rescue mission. Despite the ferocious weather, coxswain Bernie Webber takes three men on a lifeboat to try and save the crew against seemingly impossible odds.
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The Finest Hours

The Finest Hours

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Critics Consensus

Old-fashioned to a fault, The Finest Hours will satisfy those seeking a traditional rescue drama - but may leave more adventurous viewers wanting more.

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Critics Reviews

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Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com 08/16/2016
3/4
A rousing tale of sacrifice, ingenuity and heroism. Go to Full Review
Roxana Hadadi Chesapeake Family Magazine 08/02/2016
3/5
The Coast Guard gets its big-screen opportunity with The Finest Hours. Its great effects work well to accompany some solid performances. Go to Full Review
Udita Jhunjhunwala Scroll.in 06/21/2016
This is a by-the-book disaster-rescue saga with elevated moments of drama. The ocean scenes leave you feeling a little bit seasick, but in awe of the bravery of these men. Go to Full Review
David Griffiths Subculture Entertainment 03/10/2025
4/5
This is a far superior film to something like The Perfect Storm… yes Craig Gillespie has somehow managed to create a classy disaster flick that demands a viewing by serious film lovers. Go to Full Review
Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson 10/13/2024
2/5
Subdued from the Ahab archetypes of most maritime characters, Pine and Affleck are not completely bland, but neither offers much inspiration or entertaining gravity, two aspects woefully missing from the film as a whole. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 04/22/2022
2/4
Its all very familiar and unremarkable filmmaking for an otherwise remarkable story. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Michael M @Mooch1970 1d It has its flaws but it’s a very entertaining film. Loved Casey Affleck and Chris Pine’s acting in this and I think they are the ones who actually carry the film. Could have cut back a little on the romance part but that didn’t take away from enjoying the film. Loosely based on the true events but it definitely shows the heroism of the real story. See more Henry D @Henry_Domke Jul 12 Exciting and fully engaging from beginning to end. The sound was one of the best parts of the movie, completely immersive and especially effective in our home theater. The visuals and special effects were also stunning, even though we were not watching it in 4K. It became sentimental at times, but in a way that worked. Nearly ten years after it was made, it does not feel dated. See more Lisa J @HypatiaSwim Jun 25 An excellent recreation of one of the most amazing rescues ever to be accomplished. The cast were outstanding in maintaining the stoic forbearance of those who live on the sea. See more PERCY B @P.BADINAGE Apr 27 Disappointing is the kindest this I can say. So obviously all the on the hurricane oceans scenes have to be CIG, but it's not done well. You can tell they are all in a studio. They don't even try to act cold in a freezing snow storm on the freezing ocean. Not believable. And all of the characters are not likable or appear to be overly bright for some reason. See more I Am F @Creepblaster Mar 25 Actually this is one of the better Disney movies. Intense, real, gritty and balance well between Disney and real situation and I feel satisfied. See more D3Z 1 @RT51637195 Jan 9 Directed by Craig Gillespie, even though Chris Pine and Casey Affleck's performances were its finest hours, I just wish the same can be applied to the story and action which did not have much interesting stakes. See more Read all reviews
The Finest Hours

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Movie Info

Synopsis On Feb. 18, 1952, a massive storm splits the SS Pendleton in two, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the tanker's sinking stern. Engineer Ray Sybert bravely takes charge to organize a strategy for his fellow survivors. As word of the disaster reaches the Coast Guard in Chatham, Mass., Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff orders a daring rescue mission. Despite the ferocious weather, coxswain Bernie Webber takes three men on a lifeboat to try and save the crew against seemingly impossible odds.
Director
Craig Gillespie
Producer
James Whitaker, Dorothy Aufiero
Screenwriter
Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson
Distributor
Walt Disney
Production Co
Whitaker Entertainment, Red Hawk Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Peril)
Genre
Adventure, Action, Mystery & Thriller, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 29, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$27.6M
Runtime
1h 56m