The Perfect Storm (2000)

An unusually intense storm pattern catches some commercial fishermen unaware and puts them in mortal danger.

Director:

Wolfgang Petersen

Writers:

Sebastian Junger (book), William D. Wittliff (screenplay) (as Bill Wittliff)

Stars:

George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 25 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Clooney	...	Billy Tyne
Mark Wahlberg	...	Bobby Shatford
John C. Reilly	...	Dale 'Murph' Murphy
Diane Lane	...	Christina Cotter
William Fichtner	...	David 'Sully' Sullivan
John Hawkes	...	Mike 'Bugsy' Moran
Allen Payne	...	Alfred Pierre
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio	...	Linda Greenlaw
Karen Allen	...	Melissa Brown
Cherry Jones	...	Edie Bailey
Bob Gunton	...	Alexander McAnally III
Christopher McDonald	...	Todd Gross
Michael Ironside	...	Bob Brown
Rusty Schwimmer	...	Irene 'Big Red' Johnson
Janet Wright	...	Ethel Shatford

Storyline

In October 1991, a confluence of weather conditions combined to form a killer storm in the North Atlantic. Caught in the storm was the sword-fishing boat Andrea Gail. Magnificent foreshadowing and anticipation fill this true-life drama while minute details of the fishing boats, their gear and the weather are juxtaposed with the sea adventure.

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Plot Keywords:

storm | fish | fishing | sea | death | 

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Taglines:

In the Fall of 1991, the "Andrea Gail" left Gloucester, Mass. and headed for the fishing grounds of the North Atlantic. Two weeks later, an event took place that had never occurred in recorded history.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and scenes of peril

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 June 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Perfect Storm

Filming Locations:

Dana Point, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$140,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$41,325,042, 2 July 2000

Gross USA:

$182,618,434

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$328,718,434

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Baltimore Spring Creek Productions, Radiant Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX SDDS (8 channels) DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The family members of Billy Tyne and Dale Murphy did not like the movie. In 2000, they sued Time Warner and the other production companies in federal district court in Florida. The district court granted summary judgment to the defendants in 2002. The plaintiffs appealed. In turn, the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit could not make up its mind on how to interpret a key Florida statute. The case was sent or "certified" to the Florida Supreme Court to resolve that limited question.

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Goofs

On the USCG Cutter, the officer is referred to as "Captain," but his hat shows the insignia of a Commander in the USN & USCG. Any commanding officer of a seagoing vessel is called "Captain" while on board.

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Quotes

Linda Greenlaw: [at the services for the crew of the Andrea Gail] I knew Billy Tyne, but I did not know his crew very well, but any man who sailed with him, must have been the better for it. Rober Shatford, Dale Murphy, Micheal Moran, David Sullivan, Alfred Pierre... May you rest easy long-liners, in fair winds, and calm seas... For those of us left behind, the vast unmarked grave which is home for those lost at sea is no consolation. It can't be visited, there is no headstone on which to rest a bunch of ...

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Connections

References White Squall (1996)

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Soundtracks

Hungry Heart
Written by Bruce Springsteen
Performed by Bruce Springsteen
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Read the book, skip the movie

I can't think of a "disaster movie" that I liked, so I may be the worst judge. Sebastian Junger's book was engrossing to me for the many things that cannot be expected to translate to the screen: detailed meteorology, a description of the physiology of drowning, the details unearthed in his investigation, and the rough portrait of the people involved that emerges. In the movie, we travel toward a known destination, so the question is, "why make the trip?" The director appears to think that it is to bear witness to the heroism of superhuman George Clooney (not Billy Tyne) as he improbably hangs onto an outrigger during a hurricane with an inextinguishable torch to cut loose a chain threatening to flail them to death. He does! Hurrah! Other crewmen are saved from drowning, too, but they are all doomed, so concentrating on this drama felt unsatisfying. To be fair to the real people involved, this sort of Hollywood action should have been jettisoned, and we should have been treated to a more documentary treatment of the story to do the book justice, as well. The closest we get to that is the painstaking recreation of reality through the setting, costumes, etc. Why wasn't this the movie I wanted made? Because an actual rotting swordfish would attract a bigger audience than a documentary about Gloucester fishermen. Audiences want to see George Clooney and some special effects while they munch their popcorn. This is also why the musical score is an intrusive element that lacks any subtlety, whatsoever. Moviemakers are not so unlike fishermen in this regard, and they cast their nets where the shoals of patrons are, and must use flashy tackle to attract them. If you are a little more discerning in your choices of entertainment, you probably would prefer the book.