Top 5 sailing films of all time

Pictures on screen are an excellent way to pass the time over the cooler months until your next sail, indulging on the sofa a little longer. Films and TV programmes with a sailing connection - from classic sailing drama to realities. Besides classics like Moby Dick, Titanic or Das Boot, here is a selection of our crew's favourite formats as inspiration for the next home cinema or streaming evening:

Turning Tide

(original title: En solitaire, France 2013)

What's it about? 

A French single-handed sailor unexpectedly gets the chance to fulfil his dream of participating in the Vendée Globe. He discovers a stowaway on board. After a repair stop, he discovers that he is not alone on board. From then on, he is in a quandary.

An excellent sailing film that also skilfully captures the atmosphere of the legendary single-handed around the world regatta. Seamanship, the conflicts about the realisation of dreams and humanity compressed on an Open 60 and skilfully mixed with the storylines on land - a great film that is a lot of fun and exciting until the end. 

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

(USA 2003)

What's it about? 

Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany sail halfway around the world to confront an invincible enemy in the historical epic Master and Commander. Epic drama set during the Napoleonic Wars. Classic! 

Golden fact nuggets: The replica of the HMS Surprise ship where most of the scenes were shot was also used in the famous Pirates of the Caribbean. 

All is lost

(USA, 2013)

What's it about? 

After colliding with a drifting cargo container in the Pacific, Robert Redford as a lone sailor, is confronted with a merciless fight for survival on the high seas. There is often criticism among sailors about some supposedly unrealistic behaviour and actions and the plausibility of some events in this film. Nevertheless, the vibe, acting, and energy the film transpires is unique and worth watching. A definite must-see! 

In the Heart of the Sea

(USA 2015)

What's it about? 

By Ron Howard with Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker and Cillian Murphy. Ron Howard traces the events of the whaling ship Essex, which is the model for Herman Melville's classic "Moby Dick".

Whaling drama, life on board and the irrepressible power of the sea and those who inhabit and travel it. Truly impressive!

The Colour of the Horizon

(Adrift, USA 2018)

What's it about? 

Based on a real story, this film sees the lead actress, Shailene Woodley, sailing through a terrible storm to save herself and her boyfriend (Sam Claflin). While ferrying a yacht from Tahiti to San Diego, a pair of sailors are caught in a violent and violent storm.

The film traces the story of Tami Oldham, who set off across the Pacific with her fiancé Richard Sharp aboard the 44-foot yacht "Hazana" in 1983.

Drama, great pictures and a lot of emotion!

Out of competition

Below Deck

(Reality series, 2013- )

It has little to do with sailing but with yachting itself - and offers a lot of drama, affairs, jealousy for its watchers! The successful reality series about the lives of crews on superyachts, the "yachties".  Always on the hunt for the tip, the tip of the more or less eccentric and affluent charter guests now calls two spin-offs including sailing - superyacht life their own.  And all this is always against the backdrop of fantastic sailing destinations - from the Bahamas to Thailand. A feast for fans of reality TV. Everyone else will probably have a hard time.