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It's a pity this oceangoing adventure wasn't fully appreciated during its theatrical release in 1996, if only because its climactic storm sequence (hence the movie's title) was awesome on the big screen and inevitably less impressive on video. Mixed reviews also curtailed its box-office potential, but as you might expect from Ridley Scott--the director of
Blade Runner and
Thelma & Louise--this is a beautifully photographed movie that will thrill anyone who is drawn to the romance and danger of the open sea. The story is a rite-of-passage adventure for a group of high school boys who spend their senior year as the crew-in-training on the
Albatross, a sailing vessel skippered by an experienced sailor and schoolmaster (Jeff Bridges) who teaches hard lessons of teamwork and individual responsibility. As they sail to the tip of South America and back, the young men face many challenges that will shape their character, in addition to the carnal pleasures of shore leave in exotic ports of call. It's a traditional story, and Scott doesn't bring anything particularly new to this sailboat variation of
Dead Poets Society and
Scent of a Woman. But as a coming-of-age drama
White Squall is professionally crafted and filled with vital energy, featuring a talented cast of newcomers (led by Scott Wolf of TV's
Party of Five) who rise to the demands of this rousing and life-changing adventure.
--Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Hollywood favorite Jeff Bridges (THE BIG LEBOWSKI) stars in this thrilling high seas adventure! Bridges leads a crew of seafaring students (including Scott Wolf from TV's PARTY OF FIVE) on the voyage of a lifetime! But just before their return, nature teaches the toughest lesson of all ... turning this journey at sea into a test of the crew's courage and will to survive! From acclaimed filmmaker Ridley Scott (BLADE RUNNER) -- don't miss any of the pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat excitement that this breathtaking motion picture delivers!