Movies About Sailing

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann, Hubertus Bengsch
Rated R

The Boat is a 1981 German drama film directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Jürgen Prochnow. It tells the story of a family of five who are forced to leave East Germany and flee to the West in a homemade boat. The movie follows their journey as they face many dangers along the way and ultimately find the freedom they so desperately seek. The film is based on the true story of a family who escaped East Germany in 1975. It is an intense and emotional story of courage, faith, and the power of the human spirit.

From Gore Verbinski, starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley
Rated PG-13

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is an epic swashbuckling adventure directed by Gore Verbinski. Set in the 18th century Caribbean, the movie follows the tale of young blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as they embark on a quest to save Will’s beloved Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) from the cursed crew of the infamous Black Pearl. Along the way, they encounter a host of treacherous pirates, deadly supernatural forces, and a beautiful but dangerous love triangle. The Curse of the Black Pearl is an unforgettable blend of thrilling action, humor, and romance, featuring an unforgettable cast of characters.

From Victor Fleming, starring Spencer Tracy, Freddie Bartholomew, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas
Rated G

Captains Courageous is a 1937 adventure drama film directed by Victor Fleming and based on the 1897 novel by Rudyard Kipling. The film follows the story of a spoiled rich boy, Harvey Cheyne Jr., who is saved from drowning after a terrible accident and is taken aboard the fishing vessel the We're Here. Under the guidance of the ship's captain, Disko Troop, Harvey learns the value of hard work, friendship, and courage. Along the way, Harvey discovers the true meaning of friendship and how to take responsibility for his own life. Through his journey, Harvey is transformed into a brave and honorable man.

From Directors: Louise Osmond, Jerry Rothwell, starring Tilda Swinton, Donald Crowhurst, Ted Hynds, Robin Knox-Johnston
Rated PG

Deep Water is a 2006 British documentary film by directors Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell that chronicles the events surrounding the 1968–1969 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, which was the first solo, nonstop, round-the-world sailing race. The film focuses on the psychological and physical struggles of the nine sailors who took part in the race, as well as the gripping and tragic story of Donald Crowhurst, the amateur British sailor who attempted to compete in the race despite having little sailing experience. The film follows the race and its participants through interviews, archive footage, and sailing footage, and it explores the themes of human ambition, courage, and the drive to survive.

From George Butler, starring Liam Neeson, Julian Ayer, John Blackborow, David Cale
Rated G

The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition is a 2000 documentary film directed by George Butler. The film chronicles the 1914–1917 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of Ernest Shackleton. The expedition was a disastrous attempt to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent. After their ship Endurance was trapped and crushed by pack ice and the crew were stranded on the Antarctic ice, Shackleton and his crew survived an incredible journey of nearly 800 miles to reach safety. The film is based on the journals and photographs taken by the crew. It features interviews with some of the last surviving relatives of the crew, as well as contemporary re-enactments, archival footage, and still photographs. The film is a testament to the courage, resilience, and determination of the Endurance crew and their heroic leader, Ernest Shackleton.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Paul Sanchez, Lari White
Rated PG-13

Cast Away is a 2000 survival drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The movie stars Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, a FedEx employee who is stranded on a deserted island after his plane crashes in the South Pacific. With only his wits and a few remnants of his plane, Chuck must learn how to survive on the island with no outside help. As time passes and the days on the island stretch out to years, Chuck struggles to remain sane and survive the harsh conditions. He makes friends with a volleyball, Wilson, which he names after his former coworker. Eventually, after four years of being stranded, Chuck manages to build a raft and sail back to civilization, where he reunites with his long-lost love.

From Stacy Peralta, starring Laird Hamilton, Darrick Doerner, Dave Kalama, Jeff Clark
Rated PG-13

Riding Giants is a 2004 documentary by Stacy Peralta about the history and culture of big wave surfing. It features interviews with legendary surfers such as Greg Noll, Laird Hamilton, and Darrick Doerner, as well as supporting interviews from historians and other key figures. The film chronicles the development of big wave surfing from its origins in Hawaii to its peak in the 1950s and 1960s to its resurgence in the 1990s. It also explores the unique personalities and unique lifestyle that make up big wave surfing. The film culminates with the story of Laird Hamilton's iconic ride at Jaws on Maui in 2004.

From John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull
Rated PG

The African Queen is a 1951 adventure-romance film directed by John Huston. The film stars Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn as two unlikely allies who are stuck together on a boat in German East Africa during World War I. As they journey down the Ulanga River in their ramshackle boat, they face off against both nature and German soldiers. Along the way, they grow to understand and appreciate each other, and eventually fall in love. In the end, they are successful in their mission to sink a German gunboat and bring the war to an end.

From Michael Curtiz, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Lionel Atwill, Basil Rathbone
Rated Passed

Captain Blood is a 1935 American swashbuckler adventure film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. It is based on the novel of the same name by Rafael Sabatini, first published in 1922. The film tells the story of an Irish doctor, Peter Blood (Flynn), who is wrongfully convicted and sold into slavery, only to become a successful pirate in the Caribbean. After taking a Spanish ship, Blood and his crew form an alliance with the Dutch, and they soon become one of the most feared pirate forces in the Caribbean. In the end, however, Blood is able to secure a pardon from the King of England and reclaim his freedom.

From Directors: John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy, Joshua Logan, starring Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, Jack Lemmon
Rated Passed

Mister Roberts is a 1955 American comedy-drama film directed by John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy, and Joshua Logan, based on the 1946 novel and 1948 Broadway play of the same name. The film stars Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, Jack Lemmon, and Ward Bond. The story revolves around Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver (Lemmon), a daydreamer who desires to be transferred from his boring assignment aboard a cargo ship to a combat unit during World War II. His captain, Commander Morton (Cagney), a strict martinet, has denied his request for a transfer, but Mister Roberts (Fonda), the executive officer, manages to keep the peace aboard the ship. When the ship makes port in a dangerous area, Mister Roberts and the rest of the crew must fight off an attack from Japanese forces. In the midst of the battle, Mister Roberts is killed, and Pulver steps up to take his place. He decides to risk his own life to save the crew and the ship. The film received numerous awards and nominations, including five Academy Award nominations, winning Best Supporting Actor for Jack Lemmon. In 1997, the film was selected for preservation in the

From John McTiernan, starring Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill
Rated PG

The Hunt for Red October is an action-packed Cold War thriller about a Soviet submarine captain, Marko Ramius (Sean Connery). Ramius leads his crew in a daring plan to defect to the United States with a prototype of the advanced Soviet ballistic missile submarine, Red October. The U.S. Navy sends their best analyst, Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin), on a dangerous mission to find and secure the submarine. As the thrilling cat-and-mouse game ensues, both the Soviets and the Americans race to find the submarine before it's too late. The Hunt for Red October is a riveting story of espionage, loyalty, and courage.

From Peter Weir, starring Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd, James D'Arcy
Rated PG-13

From Dana Brown, starring Laird Hamilton, Layne Beachley, Dan Malloy, Robert August
Rated PG

From Gore Verbinski, starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Lewis Milestone, Carol Reed, starring Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard, Richard Harris, Hugh Griffith
Rated Not Rated

From Wes Anderson, starring Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Anjelica Huston, Cate Blanchett
Rated R

From Directors: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg, starring Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Baasmo, Gustaf Skarsgård, Odd-Magnus Williamson
Rated PG-13

From Richard Fleischer, starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre
Rated G

From Gore Verbinski, starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush
Rated PG-13

From Roger Donaldson, starring Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Edward Fox
Rated PG

From Kim Ki-duk, starring Jung Suh, Yu-seok Kim, Jae-Hyun Cho, Hang-Seon Jang
Rated Not Rated

From Directors: John Sturges, Fred Zinnemann, starring Spencer Tracy, Felipe Pazos, Harry Bellaver, Richard Alameda
Rated Not Rated

From Phillip Noyce, starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, Billy Zane, Rod Mullinar
Rated R

From Neil Jordan, starring Colin Farrell, Alicja Bachleda, Dervla Kirwan, Alison Barry
Rated PG-13

From Lasse Hallström, starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Amr Waked, Kristin Scott Thomas
Rated PG-13