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Story

The Finest Hours is based on a true story set in 1952. An oil tanker is stuck in the ocean during a violent storm and splits in two, leaving the crew stranded. Four members of the Cape Cod Coastguard are the only people available to help.

Bernie Webber (Chris Pine), Richard Livesey (Ben Foster), Andy Fitzgerald (Kyle Gallner) and Ervin Maske (John Magaro) set out in a small lifeboat. They must brave freezing temperatures and giant waves to save the tanker crew. Meanwhile on the oil tanker, Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) is desperately trying to organise the crew to help him keep the boat from rapidly sinking.

Themes

Natural disasters; storms and shipwrecks; death; separation from friends and family

Violence

The Finest Hours shows no person-to-person violence, but it does show men being thrown around and injured as the small boat is tossed in the waves and the oil tanker breaks up.

Sexual references

The Finest Hours has some sexual references, including when Bernie and Miriam flirt gently.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

The Finest Hours shows characters drinking socially at a bar.

Nudity and sexual activity

The Finest Hours shows some sexual activity, including when Bernie and Miriam kiss twice.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in The Finest Hours: Coors beer.

Coarse language

The Finest Hours has some mild coarse language.

Ideas to discuss with your children

The Finest Hours is an inspiring action movie based on the true story of the US Coastguard’s greatest small boat rescue mission.

This is an intense movie that brings to life the force of nature and the risks taken by people at sea.

Because of the movie’s intensity and scary scenes, we don’t recommend it for children under 10 years, and we recommend parental guidance for children aged 10-12 years.

The main messages from this movie are to trust your instincts, be brave and do what you believe is right.

This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about the importance of not blindly following authority figures and using your own judgment to make decisions.

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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