As the cold, dank days of December drag into the even colder-and-danker days of January, many of us are facing long, lonely hours of separation from our boats and our beloved open water. Hang in there, captain — springtime is coming, and in the meantime, we’ve got some ideas for getting your boating fix, Hollywood style.
Yes, Tinseltown has given us some of the world’s best eye candy for boat lovers, from heart-pounding speedboat chases to almost-too-realistic storms at sea to historic naval battles. So if you must be confined to the land for a few more weeks, here are a few boat-lovers’ classics to queue up and enjoy:
A crew of commercial fishermen, led by George Clooney’s Billy Tyne, fight for their lives when they encounter a once-in-a-lifetime killer storm in the North Atlantic. The special effects team went above and beyond in creating the storm sequences for this true-life drama.
Boat: The Andrea Gail
Best Line: “You can say what you want, but … I’m sure glad you know how to swim.”
Admit it — the first two notes of the theme music are enough to send chills up your spine, right? Yes, it’s still holding strong as one of the best sea-monster movies of all time, with a timeless performance by Robert Shaw as the classic old seafarer Quint.
Boat: The Orca
Best Line: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
Bogart, Hepburn, World War I, and a broken-down river steamboat that goes up against a German warship — what’s not to love? Rumor has it that the boat actually sank and had to be raised during filming … twice.
Boat: The African Queen
Best Line: “Now that I’ve had a taste of it I don’t wonder why you love boating.”
During the Napoleonic Wars, a British frigate must hunt down and capture a French privateer off the coast of South America. Look for a memorable performance by Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey.
Boat: The H.M.S. Surprise
Best Line: “So it’s every hand to his rope or gun, quick’s the word and sharp’s the action. After all… surprise is on our side.”
Okay, it’s not a “boat movie” per se, but this list wouldn’t be complete without at least one James Bond flick, and this one happens to be set in Venice. By the way, did you know that the character James Bond is a former commander in the Royal Navy?
Boat: Several Fairey Huntress speedboats
Best Line: “Ah, the old game. Give a wolf a taste and then leave him hungry.”
Okay, now grab your popcorn and a cold one, and happy viewing!
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