White Squall (film)
| White Squall | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ridley Scott |
| Produced by |
Mimi Polk Gitlin Rocky Lang |
| Screenplay by | Todd Robinson |
| Based on |
The Last Voyage of the Albatross by Charles Gieg |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Jeff Rona |
| Cinematography | Hugh Johnson |
| Edited by | Gerry Hambling |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 129 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $38 million[1] |
| Box office | $10,292,300 (United States)[2] |
White Squall is a 1996 American drama feature film, directed by Ridley Scott.
Plot
The film is based on the fate of the brigantine Albatross, which sank May 2, 1961, allegedly because of a white squall. The film relates the ill-fated school sailing trip led by Dr. Christopher B. Sheldon (Jeff Bridges), whom the boys call "Skipper". He is tough and teaches them discipline. He forms a close connection with all-American Chuck Gieg (Scott Wolf), troubled rich kid Frank Beaumont (Jeremy Sisto), shy Gil Martin (Ryan Phillippe) and bad-boy Dean Preston (Eric Michael Cole). When a white squall threatens their ship, the boys try to use what Skipper has taught them to survive the horrific ordeal.
Production
Part of the film was shot using a horizon tank in Malta, with a full-sized ship, the Eye of the Wind, used to depict the Albatross.[3] Maurice Jarre was originally scheduled to compose the original score, but was replaced by Hans Zimmer's protégé Jeff Rona. Zimmer was set to replace Jarre but failed to commit due to time difficulties. The song in the end credits is Valparaiso by Sting.
Reception
The film received mixed to positive reviews and holds a 62% based on 34 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes with the consensus stating: "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".[4] White Squall, like Scott's previous film, 1492: Conquest of Paradise, was a box office disappointment.
Roger Ebert gave it three stars. In his review he said "I enjoyed the movie for the sheer physical exuberance of its adventure."[5]
Cast
- Jeff Bridges as Christopher "Skipper" Sheldon
- Caroline Goodall as Alice Sheldon
- John Savage as McCrea
- Scott Wolf as Chuck Gieg
- Jeremy Sisto as Frank Beaumont
- Ryan Phillippe as Gil Martin
- Eric Michael Cole as Dean Preston
- Julio Oscar Mechoso as Girard Pascal
- Balthazar Getty as Tod Johnstone
- Jason Marsden as Shay Jennings
- David Lascher as Robert March
- Ethan Embry as Tracy Lapchick
- David Selby as Francis Beaumont
- Jordan Clarke as Charles Gieg, Sr.
- Željko Ivanek as Capt. Sanders
- James Rebhorn as Capt. Tyler
- Jill Larson as Peggy Beaumont
- Lizzy Mackay as Middy Gieg
References
- ↑ "White Squall - Box Office Data". The Numbers. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ↑ "White Squall (1996)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ↑ "Mediterranean Film Studios - Unique Water Tanks". Retrieved 4 May 2011.
- ↑ White Squall at Rotten Tomatoes
- ↑ Review of White Squall at Roger Ebert's Chicago Sun-Times website