Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #259006 in DVD
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: German

Amazon.com essential video
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

From The New Yorker
The dramatic and visual centerpiece-a big, loud, scary storm at sea-is a tour de force of high-adventure moviemaking. The director, Ridley Scott, a wizard with a wind machine, conveys the pure, eruptive force of elemental chaos with extraordinary immediacy. Unfortunately, this grand-scale action scene, like the squall itself, seems to come out of nowhere: a freak occurrence that hits, without warning, near the end of a long, tedious, and largely uneventful voyage. The screenplay, by Todd Robinson, is based on the story of a real-life shipwreck in 1961, but, since the vessel also serves as a kind of prep school, the movie plays like standard coming-of-age fiction-"Dead Poets Society" on a boat. Until the storm strikes, you're afraid that the title refers not to a meteorological event but to the deafening sounds of middle-class teen-agers complaining about bad dads. With Jeff Bridges, Caroline Goodall, and Scott Wolf. -Terrence Rafferty
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

A terrific coming-of-age movie!
Jeff Bridges is very believable as Captain Christopher Sheldon, the skipper of the good ship Albatross. His mission is to teach a group of high school boys the way of the sea and of life. All of the boys have problems and, as written and portrayed, some are real heartbreakers. And director Ridley Scott has collected a handsome group of teen hunks to portray them. There is not a false note in any of their performances. Ryan Phillippe particular continues to surprise and impress me with his versatility. Whether it be the sensitive gay boy in T.V's "One Life to Live" or the overly confident and cocky jock of the film I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER he is always convincing. Phillippe is truly an actor that bears watching. Kudos also to John Savage as the ship's English teacher. It's nice to see this underrated actor try a different sort of role for a change.The cinematography is splendid but to appreciate it fully you must see a wide screen edition of the film. If not on DVD, perhaps there is a wide screen edition on tape somewhere. But the cinematography and sound are both worth buying a DVD player, if you haven't already done so, and purchasing this disc. This reviewer is always wary of films which are advertised as coming-of-age movies, but this one fits the bill. And everyone, including the skipper learns from their experiences. For that reason alone the film is film is worth owning. And who knows, you might just learn something from Captain Sheldon and crew of the Albatross! I know I did!

One of the best films ever! Action packed!
I think that White Squall is one of the best movies ever. Ryan Phillipe and Scott Wolf were the perfect picks to play the main roles. It tells the story of a group of boys who go on an adventure on an older ship for the summer. They travel the world. The great thing I think about this movie is it is a true example of what friendship really is. These boys come on the ship as total strangers, and end up as friends that would risk there lives for eachother. Belive me if there was ore than a five star rating, White Squall would surley get it! I think anyone who could direct such a wonderful film is a maraculus person with a heart of gold. Thank you, Ridley Scott, for showing the world what a real movie should be!

A refreshing movie about friendship and loss
Everybody else has pretty much said what I think about this movie, but I'd like to add that it's an emotional rollercoaster against the backdrop of some of the most beautiful scenic shots I've ever seen. It has to be seen to be believed, in fact, for my Art A-Level, I took some shots from the movie and painted the backdrops. It also details the value of life- not only the tragic wake of the deaths of some of the teenagers- so effectively detailed when the survivors return to St. Petersburg- but about the fragility of animal life, too. The unmerciful killing of a dolphin and the crew's shocked reaction is almost a poignant portent for the tragedy which lies ahead. It is a movie of intense replationships- the Caribbean music and romantic ideals of the 1960s addda certain kind of poignancy to it- watch and see if you don't feel a lump in your throat! I also feel that there should be given a mention to the immensely talented young cast- the hideously under-rated Scott Wolf, Jeremy Sisto, Jason Marsden, and not under-rated but good nonetheless Ryan Phillipe. Kudos to Ridley Scott for carrying the beauty of such a film in his soul and bringing such intense emotions so effectively. Heck, if this can move an 18-year-old, I feel the rest of you have to watch it. To coin a phrase- it's not a movie, it's an experience.