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White Squall

Play trailer Poster for White Squall PG-13 1996 2h 7m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
56% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In 1960, a hardy group of prep school students boards an old-fashioned sailing ship. With Capt. Christopher Sheldon (Jeff Bridges) at the helm, the oceangoing voyage is intended to teach the boys fortitude and discipline. But the youthful crew -- among them confident Chuck Gieg (Scott Wolf), timid Gil Martin (Ryan Phillippe) and self-satisfied Frank Beaumont (Jeremy Sisto) -- are about to get some unexpected instruction in survival when they get caught in the clutches of a white squall storm.
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White Squall

White Squall

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Critics Reviews

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Brian Lowry Variety Jul 25, 2008
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. Go to Full Review
Trevor Johnston Time Out Jan 26, 2006
This particular landlubber felt like jelly for the rest of the day, notwithstanding the hokey courtroom showdown that closes the picture. Go to Full Review
Janet Maslin New York Times May 20, 2003
2.5/5
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. Go to Full Review
Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot Mar 1, 2022
2.5/4
Once you get through all the cliches of the calm waters, there is a 20-minute movie somewhere within the two-hour running time. Go to Full Review
Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Aug 10, 2020
2/5
Bridges does his best to command the emotional resonance we assume motivated Sheldon, but scant characterization marks him merely as a cipher for brawny, brain-washed ideations of what masculinity's supposed to look like. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Jun 27, 2016
C+
Though lavishly produced and based on a true story, it still fails to satisfy. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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JAMES B. @Briceman301 Feb 1, 2026 A young man’s dream adventure. 1960 perfectly captured. See more
thiago s @Thiagostone Aug 30, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more
Robert B @MrZetetic Feb 22, 2025 Great movie, well acted. Ignore the negative reviews, anything that is positive and character building is frowned upon today. Comparable to Dead poets society. See more
Dennis B @RT37415025 Jan 26, 2025 The movie vers far from the book, but that’s not uncommon, but still enjoyable See more
Mike P @RT09890132 Apr 10, 2024 Watchable true life docudrama which dissects the ship-wrecking of the USS Albatross; which was a ship that was being sailed by a boy's prep school in an elaborate nautical lesson. This is watchable but not great...Too many stereotypes; but the action is good. Recommended See more
Cindy L @RT50805959 Aug 28, 2022 Strange things happen in the open ocean and unfortunately it happened to The Albatross, a true story. I thought the acting was good, the story intriguing and worth the view. A very good film. See more
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White Squall

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Cast & Crew

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Ridley Scott

Director

Jeff Bridges

Captain Christopher `'Skipper'` Sheldon

Caroline Goodall

Dr. Alice Sheldon

Scott Wolf

Charles `'Chuck'` Gieg

John Savage

McCrea

Jeremy Sisto

Frank Beaumont

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White Squall

White Squall (1996) White Squall (1996) White Squall (1996) White Squall (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1960, a hardy group of prep school students boards an old-fashioned sailing ship. With Capt. Christopher Sheldon (Jeff Bridges) at the helm, the oceangoing voyage is intended to teach the boys fortitude and discipline. But the youthful crew -- among them confident Chuck Gieg (Scott Wolf), timid Gil Martin (Ryan Phillippe) and self-satisfied Frank Beaumont (Jeremy Sisto) -- are about to get some unexpected instruction in survival when they get caught in the clutches of a white squall storm.
Director
Ridley Scott
Producer
Mimi Polk Gitlin, Rocky Lang
Screenwriter
Todd Robinson
Production Co
Largo Entertainment, Scott Free Productions
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$10.3M
Runtime
2h 7m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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