Sailing in the Cinema; our pick of the best Nautical Flicks

First Class Sailing recently took to Facebook with a list of the top 8 sailing films. We were eager to hear what our followers thought of our choices and what sailing films they’ve always loved. Here are the top three choices…

Number 3 – Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Back in 2003, pirate films was seen as somewhat (excuse the pun) dead in the water – but Disney breathed new life into the genre with the acclaimed blockbuster, Pirates of the Caribbean. Based on the Disneyland attraction of the same name, the film tells the story of Captain Jack Sparrow and Will Turner as they set out to battle the villainous Captain Barbossa, save the kidnapped Elizabeth Swann and reclaim Jack’s former ship, The Black Pearl.

Featuring beautiful old ships, plenty of swashbuckling and Disney’s interpretation of pirate life on the open sea, Pirates of the Caribbean is the perfect pirate adventure film for the whole family (although small children might be a little scared!).

Number 2 – White Squall

This 1996 flick from acclaimed director Ridley Scott, based on a true story, follows a group of 1960s high school teenagers sailing to South America and back to learn sailing skills as well as teamwork skills and discipline.

The crew is headed by their sailing mentor Dr Sheldon aka ‘Skipper’, who forms a close bond with his students. But the journey takes a dramatic turn when their brigantine ship, the Albatross, is hit by a freak windstorm (known as a white squall). The young sailing students must use all the skills they have acquired to survive as their craft sinks below the ocean waves.

Number 1 – Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the film sees Captain Jack Aubrey (aka Lucky Jack) and the crew of HMS Surprise as they carry out orders to sink or capture the Acheron, a French privateer vessel. In an early altercation, Aubrey discovers the Acheron is bigger than the Surprise and has much greater firepower, threatening the success of their mission (as well as the lives of everyone on board).

With the help of Stephan Maturin, his close friend and the ship’s doctor and naturalist, Aubrey formulates a plan to deceive the French crew and defeat the ship once and for all.

A faithful adaptation of the Aubrey-Maturin book series, Master and Commander offers some stunning 1800s-era naval battles, gorgeous ships and a sensitive portrayal of life on board a navy craft.

Do you have a favourite sailing film that isn’t on the list here? Tell us which films we’ve missed in the comments below (and to read the rest of our top 8 list, visit our https://www.facebook.com/FirstClassSailing.

Posted by: First Class Sailing