Taglines: The strongest force in nature is the will to survive.
Based on a true incident from 1960, White Squall is the story of the tragic sinking of the Albatross, a prep school educational two-masted schooner, during a Caribbean storm. Screenwriter Todd Robinson wrote the script after meeting one of the tragedy’s survivors, Chuck Gieg. In the film, Gieg (Scott Wolf) is the narrator.
He and his fellow students, whose parents have paid handsomely for their schooling, which combines classroom work with real-life adventure, are introduced to their grizzled seafaring captain, Christopher Sheldon (Jeff Bridges). Gieg is initially skeptical of Sheldon’s authority, but he gradually comes to see the captain as a model of manhood.
The other boys aboard include Frank Beaumont (Jeremy Sisto), a self-absorbed snob; Dean Preston (Eric Michael Cole), a troublemaker and bully; Tod Johnston (Balthazar Getty), a returning student; and the naïve Tracy Lapchick (Ethan Embry). John Savage plays the pompous English teacher aboard the ship. Various incidents establish the boys’ insecurities and relationships with the authorities — and foreshadow their eventual fate. The killer squall comes up quietly but soon turns deadly, and the boys are forced to go beyond their privileged upbringings and deal with real danger.
White Squall is a 1996 American drama feature film, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jeff Bridges, Caroline Goodall, John Savage, Scott Wolf, Balthazar Getty, Ryan Phillippe, David Lascher, Eric Michael Cole, Jason Marsden, David Selby.
Part of the film was shot using a horizon tank in Malta, with a full-sized mock-up of the ship, the Eye of the Wind, used to depict the Albatross in scenes shot mainly in the Caribbean. 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.
White Squall (1996)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Caroline Goodall, John Savage, Scott Wolf, Balthazar Getty, Ryan Phillippe, David Lascher, Eric Michael Cole, Jason Marsden, David Selby
Screenplay by: Todd Robinson
Production Design by: Peter J. Hampton, Leslie Tomkins
Cinematography by: Hugh Johnson
Film Editing by: Gerry Hambling
Costume Design by: Judianna Makovsky
Set Decoration by: Rand Sagers
Art Direction by: Joseph P. Lucky
Music by: Jeff Rona
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sexuality and a traumatic shipwreck.
Distributed by: Buena Vista Pictures
Release Date: February 2, 1996
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