Rent White Squall (1996)

I liked it, although it's not my usual cup of tea - White Squall review by RP

The film tells the (apparently fact-based, as it's based on a book by Charles Gieg, the central young man and narrator) story of the crew of 15-16 year old final year US high school boys on a school sail training ship 'The Albatross' as they learn to sail, learn their studies and learn assorted lessons of life. The climax is a severe storm in which crew members die, and the subsequent tribunal of inquiry into the responsibility of the captain. The film ends in an emotional scene reminiscent of 'Dead Poets Society'.

I liked it, although it's not my usual cup of tea. It shows the growth of the young crew from a random collection of individuals into a disciplined crew capable of working together and the trust and loyalty which develops – which was of course the point of the school ship. Perhaps this loyalty is then misused at the enquiry?

The film is competently directed, the photography is superb, but Ridley Scott's trademark direction of films with dark, complex, threatening backgrounds such as 'Alien' and 'Blade Runner' and the later 'Gladiator', 'Black Hawk Down' etc is not present in this much lighter but emotional film. 3/5 stars - Recommended.