Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

White Squall

Play trailer Poster for White Squall PG-13 1996 2h 7m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
57% Tomatometer 37 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.

Where to Watch

White Squall

White Squall

What to Know

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Brian Lowry Variety 07/25/2008
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 01/26/2006
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 05/20/2003
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 03/01/2022
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 08/10/2020
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 06/27/2016
C+
Though lavishly produced and based on a true story, it still fails to satisfy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
JAMES B. @Briceman301 Feb 1 A young man’s dream adventure. 1960 perfectly captured. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Aug 30 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 02/22/2025 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 01/26/2025 The movie vers far from the book, but that’s not uncommon, but still enjoyable See more Ivan V @RT56252952 08/21/2024 This was the only time I have ever walked out of a movie theatre 15 minutes after the movie started. TERRIBLE. See more Mike P @RT09890132 04/10/2024 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 Read all reviews
White Squall

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

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

More Like This

View All
The War 27% 74% The War Watchlist The Portrait of a Lady 48% 51% The Portrait of a Lady Watchlist Crooklyn 79% 89% Crooklyn Watchlist A Cool, Dry Place 54% 59% A Cool, Dry Place Watchlist How to Make an American Quilt 62% 63% How to Make an American Quilt Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

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
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