Movies About Sailors

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

The Boat is a 1981 German drama film written, directed, and produced by Wolfgang Petersen. The film follows a German family living in East Prussia in the weeks leading up to World War II. The father, Erich, is a passionate sailor who decides to build a boat with his sons so they can escape the impending conflict. As Erich and his sons struggle to finish the boat in time, they must also face the realities of war and the potential destruction of everything they hold dear. The film is a poignant exploration of the sacrifices families must make in times of conflict and the strength of familial bonds.

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 a swashbuckling adventure film set in the Caribbean Sea in the early 1700s. It follows the story of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and his romantic rival, blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) as they attempt to rescue Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the daughter of the governor, from the cursed crew of the Black Pearl led by the terrifying Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). Along the way, they enlist the help of Captain Jack's eccentric friend, Gibbs (Kevin McNally), and battle both the legendary pirate ship and a supernatural force that threatens to destroy them all. With its thrilling action sequences, engaging characters, and hilarious one-liners, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a must-see for any fan of adventure movies.

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

Captains Courageous is an adventure film directed by Victor Fleming and released in 1937. It is based on the 1897 novel of the same name by Rudyard Kipling. The film follows the story of Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew), the spoiled son of a wealthy railroad tycoon. After a prank gone wrong, Harvey finds himself stranded in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, where a Portuguese fishing boat saves him and takes him under their wing. Harvey is reluctantly taken into the tight-knit community of fishermen, who are led by the wise old fisherman Manuel Fidello (Spencer Tracy). As Harvey struggles to find his place in the fishing boat crew, he learns valuable lessons about friendship, strength, and courage from Manuel and the other sailors. Over time, Harvey develops a strong bond with Manuel and the crew, and soon learns to appreciate the importance of hard work and self-reliance. By the end of his journey, Harvey has become a fine sailor, and returns to his family a changed man.

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

Deep Water is a 2006 documentary directed by Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell. The film follows the story of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst and his attempt to win the 1968 Golden Globe Race, a non-stop, single-handed sailing race around the world. As the race progresses, Donald finds himself struggling mentally and physically, and his fateful decision to falsify his positions sets in motion a chain of events that leads to his ultimate demise. The film interweaves interviews with Donald's family, with race organizers, and with other sailors, as well as archival footage and personal letters, to create a portrait of a man pushed to his limits and beyond. Ultimately, Deep Water serves as a harrowing reminder of the dangers of ambition and the power of the sea.

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

The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition is an award-winning documentary film from 2000 directed by George Butler. It follows the incredible story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew of 27 on a mission to traverse the Antarctic continent in 1914. After they set sail from England, they encountered a series of misfortunes that included their ship, the Endurance, being trapped in sea ice and eventually sinking. Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, Shackleton and his crew persevered and managed to survive and eventually escape their icy prison. Through a combination of great leadership, perseverance, and luck, they made it back to England, all 27 of them safe and sound. The Endurance is a remarkable story of courage and determination that serves as an inspiration to this day.

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

Cast Away is a 2000 American survival drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, an American FedEx employee who is stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. The film follows Noland as he struggles to survive and find his way home, all the while learning to adapt to life alone on the island. Along the way, Noland finds solace in a volleyball he names Wilson and forges a newfound appreciation for the small joys of life. After four years on the island, Noland eventually manages to escape and return to the mainland, where he is reunited with his girlfriend, Kelly. The film is a powerful story of resilience and the strength of the human spirit.

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

Riding Giants is a documentary film by director Stacy Peralta that explores the history and culture of the sport of big-wave surfing. The film focuses on three of the sport's pioneers—Greg Noll, Laird Hamilton, and Jeff Clark—and follows them as they search for the biggest waves in the world and challenge themselves to ride them. Through interviews and archival footage, the film tells the story of the pioneers and the risks they took to pursue their passion. It also examines the influence that surfing has had on popular culture, including the development of surfing-related products, films, and fashion. In the end, the film celebrates the spirit of big-wave surfing and the thrill and satisfaction of conquering the elements.

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

The African Queen is a 1951 British-American adventure film directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. The screenplay, written by Huston and James Agee, was based on the 1935 novel of the same name by C. S. Forester. The film tells the story of Charlie Allnutt (Bogart), the grizzled, rough-hewn proprietor of a dilapidated riverboat, the African Queen, and his unlikely alliance with a missionary, Rose Sayer (Hepburn), as they navigate their way down the treacherous Ulanga River in German East Africa during World War I in an effort to destroy a German gunboat. Along the way, the two form an unlikely friendship and romance. The African Queen was a critical and commercial success, earning three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Bogart, and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

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

Pirate and former medical doctor Peter Blood (Errol Flynn) is unjustly convicted and sentenced to slavery in the Caribbean. After a daring escape, Blood and his men become notorious and feared pirates. Blood soon meets up with Arabella Bishop (Olivia de Havilland) and falls in love with her. He eventually faces off with the King's forces and the Spanish, while trying to protect the innocent and innocent people of the Caribbean. In the end, Blood is able to free the islanders and gain his freedom, while gaining the love of Arabella.

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 war comedy-drama film directed by John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy, and Joshua Logan, with a screenplay by Frank S. Nugent and Logan based on the 1946 novel and 1948 Broadway play of the same name by Thomas Heggen and Joshua Logan. The film stars Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, Jack Lemmon, and Betsy Palmer. The film focuses on the conflict between the ambitious and rebellious ensign Mister Roberts (played by Fonda) and the imperious, domineering Captain Morton (played by Cagney). As a result of the crew's maltreatment, Roberts longs to break away from the pettiness of the ship and get transferred to combat duty at the front. The film offers a mix of lighthearted comedy and drama, as Roberts attempts to get his transfer, negotiate with the captain, and still be a friend to his crewmates. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, with Jack Lemmon winning for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Ensign Pulver. The film was a box office hit, grossing more than $12 million at the U.S. box office and was one of the

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

The Hunt for Red October is a 1990 action-thriller directed by John McTiernan and starring Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, and Scott Glenn. The movie follows the story of Marko Ramius (Connery), a Soviet Naval Captain, who has stolen a nuclear-powered Soviet submarine, Red October, and is attempting to defect to the United States of America. The CIA, led by Jack Ryan (Baldwin), races to intercept Ramius' submarine before it reaches the United States. As the hunt progresses, the CIA discovers that Ramius' true mission is to start a nuclear war with the United States, but the CIA must discover a way to stop him without beginning World War III. The Hunt for Red October is an intense, suspenseful thriller about the dangerous game of international espionage. With a dynamic cast and gripping action, the movie quickly became a classic of the genre and is still considered one of the best Cold War-era films.

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