10 Must-Watch Biopics About Boats

Description: While not a direct biopic, this film, based on Jack London's novel, captures the essence of life at sea, focusing on the harsh realities faced by sailors under the command of a brutal captain.

Fact: Edward G. Robinson's portrayal of the tyrannical Captain Wolf Larsen is considered one of his finest performances.

Description: Based on Hemingway's novella, this film tells the story of an aging fisherman's epic battle with a giant marlin, symbolizing the struggle against nature and time.

Fact: The film features Spencer Tracy in one of his most memorable roles, and the marlin was created using a combination of animatronics and stop-motion animation.

Description: Although not strictly about boats, this film features a significant river-crossing scene and explores the story of the Tsavo maneaters, which indirectly relates to the construction of a railway bridge over the Tsavo River.

Fact: The film was inspired by real events, and the lions' taxidermied bodies are on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

Description: This film dramatizes the real-life events of the Andrea Gail, a fishing vessel caught in the "perfect storm" of 1991, showcasing the crew's battle against nature's fury.

Fact: The film's special effects team recreated the storm using a combination of real water, wind machines, and CGI to simulate the harrowing conditions.

Description: Based on the true story that inspired "Moby-Dick," this film follows the crew of the whaleship Essex as they face a giant sperm whale, leading to their shipwreck and subsequent struggle for survival in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Fact: The film was shot in the Canary Islands, and the crew used a real-life replica of the Essex to capture the authenticity of the era.

Description: This film recounts the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates, focusing on the bravery of Captain Richard Phillips.

Fact: The film was shot on the actual Maersk Alabama, which was used for the scenes depicting the ship's interior.

Description: This Norwegian film tells the story of Thor Heyerdahl's 1947 expedition across the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft, proving that pre-Columbian South Americans could have settled Polynesia.

Fact: The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and the raft used in the movie was an exact replica of the original.

Description: This film recounts the true story of the 1952 US Coast Guard rescue mission, where a small crew braved a ferocious storm to save the crew of the SS Pendleton, a tanker split in two off the coast of Cape Cod. It's a testament to human courage and the spirit of teamwork.

Fact: The film was shot in Massachusetts, where the real events took place, and the rescue boat used in the movie was a replica of the original CG

Description: A poignant tale of Donald Crowhurst, an amateur sailor who enters the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, only to find himself in a desperate situation far from land.

Fact: The film features Colin Firth as Crowhurst, and much of the sailing scenes were shot on location in the Atlantic Ocean.

Description: This documentary follows the journey of Donald Crowhurst, focusing on his psychological unraveling during the race, providing a different perspective on the same story as "The Mercy."

Fact: The film includes real footage from Crowhurst's journey, offering an authentic look at his experience.