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Great film

I love this film, it about a bunch of boys who either get sent on this ship to get disciplined by their parents or some just choose to escape their lives, They take it for granted tho, they don't realise how much hard work it will be. The ship and their captain take them on a journey, a journey that will probably change their lives forever, facing their fears and coming to grips with their lives, they learn a lot and pull together as a team. A truly moving story and another great film by Ridley Scott. From struggles to strengths, this is an inspiring film to watch with many good actors, Jeff bridges is really good for this role playing a tough, wise teacher for the boys. I love this as it is based on a true story, it makes it even more moving.

"Wind, rain, and some damn big waves!"

Insipid story from Felix Sutton's book about young boys in the early 1960s who sign onto skipper/teacher Jeff Bridges' ship to hopefully build their characters (do teenage boys of any era really feel concerned about their characters?). Everyone naturally gets more than they bargained for once the ship is ravaged by a tropical storm. Teeth-grinding formula right off the assembly-line, saddled with inert juveniles and Bridges' hamming about. Pretentious, portentous and deadening. Directed by a slumming Ridley Scott, who may have overdosed on a late-night double-feature of "Dead Poets Society" and "Lord of the Flies". * from ****

so bad it was funny

This is one of those movies that are so bad you laugh at them. I remember watching this movie with a large group of people and we ended up making fun of it, MST3K style, because it was so bad. Terrible dialogue, stupid plot and laughable characters make this movie one to rent only if you're in the mood for a really really really bad movie.

A few good perfectly stormy A&F models

Well, maybe it isn't that bad. Some moments are touching, others genuinely harrowing. And Jeff Bridges always comes up with something surprising. But, "true story" though it may be, "White Squall" is overwhelmed by its obvious schematic and Ridley Scott's signature gloss. Each young crewmember has a stamped-on singular defect, Scott Wolf's tomcruisy precociousness is particularly grating, and for all the magnificent ocean scenery and blather about boys being forged into men, we're shown precious little of the day-to-day grunt/teamwork that's at the core of the whole business. Add to this the greatest assemblage of immaculate white t-shirts and bronzed, hairless torsos since Abercrombie met Fitch, and a potentially gritty, moving story lies trapped in amber.

Old fashioned adventure/tragedy

"White Squall," the almost-forgotten 1996 high seas motion picture from acclaimed director Ridley Scott, is the kind of old fashioned adventure Hollywood and even Walt Disney used to churn out in the 1940s and 1950s. If you squint your eyes just right, you can almost see Gregory Peck or John Mills playing the lead role rather than the comfortably aged Jeff Bridges.

But what sets "White Squall" apart from that long ago era of filmmaking are the modern conflicts the handful of youthful protagonists, high school students on a seasonal seafaring voyage, must go through. These kids, effectively played by such future stars as Scott Wolf and Ryan Phillipe, are dealing with a variety of painful issues including parental conflict, parental control and society rejection. What they learn from their stern captain/teacher and his colorfully eccentric crew are the lessons most children must eventually embrace -- the rewards of teamwork, discipline and nobility.

Bridges, in yet another terrific performance to add to his respectful resume, plays a no-nosense ship captain who leads a group of high school students on a seafaring voyage across the Caribbean and beyond. During their adventure, they encounter exotic locales, the Cuban military, first love and eventually, a terrifying storm bearing the ominous meteorological phenomenon known as the white squall.

Most viewers have probably seen such high adventures before, and the eventual resolution, where the boys band together as one to honor their befallen captain, is certainly not the most original of conclusions. But just beneath the surface of "White Squall," likely fueled by the vision of director Ridley Scott, is a celluoid tribute to a simpler more innocent time. The film, based on a true story, takes place in 1962 -- an era before man walked on the moon, before John F. Kennedy was assassinated, before computers ruled our household. "White Squall" is an effective tribute to old fashioned values, gritty teamwork and the simple truths of humanity.

Viewers desentisized by so much dreck that Hollywood offers today, will learn these truths much like the high school students on the deck of this creaking schooner. Scott whose work has often relied on flashy special effects ("Alien," "Blade Runner," "Gladiator"), has given us a film that glorifies the basic values of an innocent, golden time. When the white squall of the film's title slams into the ship, we are witnessing the end of an idyllic era and a storied way of life.

A poignant, touching experience, and one of Scott's finest films (which says a lot for this challenging, gifted director), "White Squall" is the kind of powerful moviegoing surprise viewers will want to welcome aboard again and again.

great flick

This is a great movie based on a true story. The imagery is awesome in this movie and is a must see for all movie fans. This is one of those movies that i had to buy i highly recommend it!

White Squal Movie

THis movie teaches a lot about life! I think it's great especially if you have boys!
SUsie
Miami. ,Fl

White Squale

Was an ok movie. I really wouldn't go to the movies to see it though.

Movie

It's a great movie. Kinda old, but it's fun to watch all the big name actors when they're young and not so great.

Great story of courage, boys becoming men and sailing

I rented this movie many years ago and bought it from Amazon with "Wind" which is another great sailing movie. White Squall is a good family movie telling the story of a group of boys who learn to work as a team, find courage and learn the life of a sailor. Highly recommend.

Upon further review...

I've changed my rating of this film after watching it two more times.

Originally, I liked the first part of the film much more than the ending, which features a court scene. I downrated the film on the contrast between the thoroughly entertaining film that features the 'boys on the boat', and the judicial scenes at the end of the film.

After seeing the film on two separate, subsequent occasions, I've changed my mind a bit. The final half hour of the film does match, in my changed viewpoint, the intensity and fine acting that preceded the last scences.

Jeff Bridges gives another excellent performance. His cool, laconic performance is just so right for this film. He hits every note.

Also to be praised is the acting of the rest of the cast. They do an excellent job conveying the melding of a crew out of a disparate group of young men with wildly different backgrounds. And Caroline Goodall gives an equally effective performance as his wife.

Admittedly, the film does follow some familiar paths during the titular storm. Let's say not all bodes well for everyone on the voyage.

Directed by Ridley Scott, who has directed such hits as 'Blackhawk Down' and 'Gladiator'. 'White Squall' is a quieter film than those, but equally as effective.

Recommended. But be sure to wear your life jacket when on one a boat called the 'Albatross'

A solid 8

As far as cinematography goes this film is definitely a 9, the film just looks good. The story even though based on true events had some parts which were exaggerated to the max but overall deserves a 7. The actors is a mix of good and bad here we have a Scott Wolf who actually delivers a solid performance compared to his crappy TV persona on "party of five", Jeff Bridges has nowhere near the intensity for the role like he did in "Arlington Road" and the movie suffers for it. Most of the other actors deliver adequate performances except for Jeremy Sisto who like his character should have been booted off the boat (before they bothered to put his crappy performance on film). Ridley has done better work with previous films and I think with what he had to work with including his talent pool of cast he deserves a solid 8 for this effort...but if u really want to see a great Ridley Scott movie try one off the list below.1. Bladerunner (director's cut...i stress director's cut) 2. Legend (yep it's a fantasy film...but then again so was LOTR and Peter Jackson actually credits Ridley for his forest sequences as the inspiration for his vision of Fangorn. ) 3. Black Hawk Down (gritty, powerful war flick) 4. Gladiator (gritty, powerful war and combat flick) 5. Alien (using H.R. Giger's artistic genius is what made this flick's look the creepiest of all the alien-type films)

Beauty and Reality

Director Ridley Scott is a cinematic artist, painting a very striking, strong, and beautiful visual experience. The locations, from seaside slums to life aboard ship to the storm, are all wonderfully displayed. The compelling visuals enhance the real-life based story. It is a multi-layered tale, part coming of age, part bonding friends, part action drama. No one theme overwhelms the others. As an extra on this film, it was a privilage to meet the real Chuck Geig and Tod Johnstone. Hearing them tell of their actuall experience and then seeing it displayed on the screen lead me to believe that they must be very proud of the results.

Great movie

Great movie. You don't see much of Scott Wolf anymore but the movie is great and all of the actors made you a part of the story.

I recommend it if you like movies set on the ocean or boats. I guess it is also a god disaster movie too.

Sailing enthusists

There aren't many good movies that envolve sailing, but this is one of them. This is really a 'coming of age' story with some really good sailing scenes. Most will enjoy this movie.

White Squall

Lots of character development - action.
Story was very cool but we are sailors, so any sailing movie is great.
Jeff Bridges was OK as captain, but they could have chosen a better lead.

This movie is worth seeing

This is a really good movie and I recommend for everyone to see it. It has a lot of drama in it but it also has a good bit of action. I really like the movie and think it is a shame that a lot of people have never even heard of it. You should watch it, I know you will like it.

Great Summer Movie

This is an excellent film. True Story that is well told. Great Irie Sound Track as well. Perfect Summer Flick. If you love the sea or like boating or just want to see a really good movie about getting up and standing up for what is right then you'll love this movie. You can almost taste the salty sea air and Bridges is excellent as usual.

Oh, the adventure!

Wow, what an adventurous film. I admit the first time I saw the film, after getting over the initial shock of those cuties, I realized how beautiful the picture itself was. Such wonderful place and things to see. The entire thing was well done. I also have to confess that I did cry during the storm. Overall, this was a good film with a smart cast. Wolf's narration is hard to beat.

What`s The Plot ?

***** MILD SPOILER *****Made during Ridley Scott`s career doldrum between THELMA AND LOUISE and GLADIATOR , WHITE SQUALL is a rather shapeless story . It first starts off as a sort of DEAD POET`S SOCIETY on the high seas then becomes a disaster movie where several characters die during a shipwreck and becomes a courtroom drama at the end . Three quarters of the film are dedicated to the rites of passage tale while only the last quarter involves the shipwreck and court case . Considering the title of the film you`d have thought the shipwreck would have made up the bulk of the film . WHITE SQUALL isn`t a terrible film but it wasn`t a good one either and it`s difficult to have either anything good or bad to say about hence this bland review