The Perfect Storm (2000)

Director:

Wolfgang Petersen

Writers (WGA):

Sebastian Junger (book)
William D. Wittliff (screenplay)

Release Date:

30 June 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Action | Thriller

Tagline:

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.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Storm | Fishing | Ice | Sea | Fishing Boat

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 19 nominations

Cast

George Clooney	...	Captain Billy Tyne
Mark Wahlberg	...	Bobby Shatford
Diane Lane	...	Christina Cotter
John C. Reilly	...	Dale 'Murph' Murphy
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

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language and scenes of peril.

Runtime:

130 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX | SDDS (8 channels) | DTS

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Malaysia:U | Brazil:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIB | Mexico:B | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:M | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #37526) | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Dana Point, California, USA

Company:

Baltimore Spring Creek Productions

Trivia:

Towards the end of Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio's emotional speech in the church at Gloucester, her microphone picked up her pounding heartbeat. Director Wolfgang Petersen liked the effect, so it remains audible on the soundtrack.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: While the men are in the lower chamber watching movies there is a copy of "Blade Runner (1982) The Director's Cut" on the table. The director's cut was released in 1992; this movie is set in 1991.

Quotes:

Bobby Shatford: Last night was worth it. There's nothin like sleepin' with you... just sleepin'... lyin next to you... all warm and sweet... Me wishin' the mornin' would never come...

Movie Connections:

Featured in Super Secret Movie Rules: Disaster Movies (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Heart of Saturday Night

An intense, real and emotional experience.

Heading into this film I did not expect the full on and intense experience that it delivered. I expected brilliant and seamless computer graphics, they were delivered. I expected a fairly personal story about the people involved, that was delivered. I expected some amazing sounds and sights, and I got them.

While I was watching this film, I couldn't help being aware of the fact that the people being tossed around the sea were, at least in part, real and that this movie was based on what they went through. But I also got more... I got to be in the storm and feel my heart quicken a little as the fishing vessel edges up impossibly large waves, and then crashes down to face another.

It is not a pretty film, it portrays very well the harsh environment in which it is set. It is a 'real' film, that doesn't seem to pull any punches.

The photography is excellent and really draws you in, it is fluid and makes you feel close to the action. The acting is very good, it really connects you with the crew of the Andrea Gail and those around them. The computer animation is what you would expect it to be - almost seamless - it delivers huge waves and powerful storm cells.

This is one of the best films I have seen in a long time, and truly removes you from your reality and into the storm.