I hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy during this time. Below is a list, ordered by release date, of some sailing related films to watch during lockdown:





Adrift (2018)

Romantic/Adventure/Drama

IMDB: 6.6/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 70%

Based on the 1983 true story of Tami Oldham (played by Shailene Woodley, from The Divergent Series and The Fault in Our Stars) and Richard Sharp (played by Sam Clafin, from The Hunger Games), who awake on the yacht they were transporting after being knocked unconscious following a hurricane. The movie tells the story of survival at sea against all odds.





Availability in the UK: All Major Platforms









The Mercy (2017)

Adventure/Drama

IMDB: 6/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 74%

A biographical film based on the story of Donald Crowhurst (played by Colin Firth, from Love Actually) who attempted to complete the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1968 - the first non-stop single handed around the world yacht race. His journey was fraught with difficulties and setback which ultimately cost him dearly.





Availability in the UK: All Major Platforms









Pirates of the Caribbean Series (2003 - 2017)

Adventure/Fantasy

The global phenomenon that has amassed over $4.5 billion worldwide for Disney over five films. The film series follows the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow (played by Johnny Depp) with a star studded cast of Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech), Orlando Bloom (The Lord of the Rings) and Keira Knightley (Pride & Prejudice). Critical response for the films have dropped consecutively each film, starting with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 79% for The Curse of the Black Pearl and ending with 30% for Dead Men Tell No Tales.





Availability in the UK: All Major Platforms









Abandoned/Stranded (2015)

Drama/Thriller

IMDB: 6.3/10

A film produced in New Zealand retelling the survival of four men following the capsize of their 41 foot trimaran after a freak wave hit the vessel. The film is based on the true events of the Rose-Noelle in 1989.





Availability in the UK: YouTube Movies and Google Play









All Is Lost (2013)

Adventure/Drama

IMDB: 6.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

Another tale of survival, although a work of pure fiction this time. The film features very little dialogue and instead lets Robert Redford's (from Captain America: The Winter Soldier) Golden Globe award winning acting convey the drama and fear that comes with surviving at sea.





Availability in the UK: YouTube Movies, Google Play and Amazon









Turning Tide (2013)

Drama

IMDB: 6.4/10

A French film (also titled En solitaire) recounting Yann Kermadec's attempt at the Vendée Globe three month long, single handed, round the world race. Unfortunate damage to his yacht resulted in Yann having to anchor off the Canary Islands where he makes a dramatic discovery.





Availability in the UK: YouTube Movies, Google Play and Amazon









Kon-Tiki (2012)

Adventure/Drama

IMDB: 7.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 81%

A Norwegian film about the 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition which aimed to prove that South Americans could have travelled the pacific and discovered the Polynesian islands. The film focuses on the primitive vessel named Kon-Tiki and the crew who sailed her over 4000 nautical miles without the help of modern navigational aids. The film has won multiple awards and is, to date, the most expensive film produced in Norway.





Availability in the UK: Limited, can import DVD and Blu-Ray from Amazon









Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Adventure

IMDB: 7.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 85%

Based during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815), Russell Crowe (from Lés Misérables) stars as Jack Aybrey, a fictional captain of the HMS Surprise. The ship is crippled by a French vessel and raging seas. After making emergency repairs, Captain Aybrey and his crew chase down the French ship. The film is regarded as historically accurate with regards to naval combat and won two Academy Awards.





Availability in the UK: YouTube Movies, Google Play and Amazon









White Squall (1996)

Drama/Adventure

IMDB: 6.6/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 60%

Directed by Ridley Scott (Alien and Blade Runner), Christopher Sheldon, played by Jeff Bridges (from Tron: Legacy) captains a brigantine around the world with a crew of teenage student sailors. Halfway through their journey they are faced with a storm which severely damages the ship. White Squall is fictional story of disaster, survival and coming of age. Unfortunately, this film fell under the radar when compared to Ridley Scott's other work.





Availability in the UK: DVD from Amazon









Waterworld (1995)

Action/Sci-Fi

IMDB: 6.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 45%

Widely regarded as a cult classic, Waterworld was the most expensive film produced at the time, largely down to complex set design and internal disputes. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic 2500 where sea levels have risen 25,000 feet, plunging the Earth's current landmass underwater. The protagonist is simply referred to as The Mariner, played by Kevin Costner (from Hidden Figures and The Highwaymen). The Mariner sails Waterworld in his trimaran before meeting crazed villains and unexpected allies.





Availability in the UK: YouTube Movies, Google Play and Amazon









Wind (1992)

Adventure

IMDB: 6.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 50%

A largely forgotten film, possibly due to poor performance at the box office, Wind revolves around the 1983 America's Cup. Will Parker, played by Matthew Modine (from The Dark Knight Rises) enlists the help of engineer Joe Heisler, played by Stellan Skarsgard (from Mamma Mia) to design a yacht capable of beating the reigning champions, Australia.





Availability in the UK: Limited, can import DVD and Blu-Ray from Amazon









Captain Ron (1992)

Comedy

IMDB: 5.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 23%

A light and somewhat silly film about an office worker, Martin Harvey, played by Marin Short (from The Santa Clause 3), who inherited a 60 foot yacht from an uncle. Martin flies his family down to a Caribbean Island to retrieve and sell it in America. However, they discover it is in very poor shape. Unable to secure a professional sailor to help bring it back to Miami they enlist the help of a local, Captain Ron, played by Kurt Russell (from The Hateful Eight) ... a bad idea.





Availability in the UK: YouTube Movies, Google Play and Amazon









Dead Calm (1989)

Thriller

IMDB: 6.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 82%

Featuring Sam Neill (from Jurassic Park), Nicole Kidman (from Aquaman and Australia) and Billy Zane (from Titanic and Zoolander), Dead Calm is an Australian thriller. The film focuses on a couple alone on their yacht in the middle of the Pacific. To their surprise, they come across the lone survivor of a sinking ship. After taking the survivor aboard, they come to realise all is not quite as it seems.





Availability in the UK: YouTube Movies, Google Play and Amazon