Films About the Coast Guard
Films about the Coast Guard often highlight the bravery, dedication, and heroism of the men and women who serve in this essential branch of the United States Armed Forces. These films typically revolve around rescue missions, maritime disasters, and the personal sacrifices made by Coast Guard personnel. They provide thrilling narratives that showcase the challenges faced at sea, the importance of teamwork, and the emotional depth of those who protect our waters.
Here’s a list of notable films about the Coast Guard:
“The Guardian”, 2006
Director: Andrew Davis
This drama stars Kevin Costner as a seasoned Coast Guard rescue swimmer who mentors a young recruit, played by Ashton Kutcher. The film explores the intense training, life-or-death rescues, and the personal demons faced by those in the profession.
Starring: Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Neal McDonough, Melissa Sagemiller, Clancy Brown, Brian Geraghty, Sela Ward, Omari Hardwick, Michael Rady, Alex Daniels, Daniel L. Molthen, Andrew Schanno, Adam Peña, Joe Arquette, Gary Billburg, Joshua Mitcheltree, Rusty Tennant, James Barnes, Stephanie Barnes, Andrea Martynowski, Ron Fien, Nevada Smith, Jay Bingham, Keith Sweitzer, Shane Walker, John Heard, Joseph Flythe, Robert E. Watson, John F. Hall, Johnell Gainey, Jeff Loftus, Dulé Hill, Shelby Fenner, Peter Gail, Brian Wade, Jack St-James, Travis Willingham, Matt Laub, Matthew L. Rucker, Tanica Jamison, Paul Wallace, Tilky Jones, Megan Melgaard, Scott Mueller, Jacob Stevens, Austin Lash, Mark Gangloff, Damon Lipari, Roger Edwards, Gregory J. Barnett;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 139 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “The Guardian” on the website imdb.com
“Only the Brave”, 2017
Director: Joseph Kosinski
While primarily focused on firefighters, this film features a subplot involving Coast Guard rescue efforts during a major wildfire. It emphasizes the collaborative efforts of different emergency services and the challenges they face.
Starring: Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Connelly, James Badge Dale, Taylor Kitsch, Andie MacDowell, Geoff Stults, Alex Russell, Thad Luckinbill, Ben Hardy, Scott Haze, Jake Picking, Scott Foxx, Dylan Kenin, Ryan Michael Busch, Kenneth Miller, Ryan Jason Cook, Brandon Bunch, Matthew Van Wettering, Michael L. McNulty, Nicholas Jenks, Sam Quinn, Natalie Hall, Howard Ferguson Jr., Rachel Singer, Ralph Alderman, Forrest Fyre, Josh Hopkins, Jenny Gabrielle, Nicholas Liam King, Orion Pontes, Brytnee Ratledge, Barbie Robertson, Jade Kammerman, Pell James, Staci Robbins, Lauren Chavez-Myers, Raleigh Cain, Michael Menchel, Kevin Wiggins, Lora Cunningham, John Trejo, Travis Armstrong, Austin Dennis, Jermaine Washington, Keith Jardine, Andres Michael, Colin Jones, Matt Nolan;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, thriller, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
“Chasing Mavericks”, 2012
Director: Michael Apted, Curtis Hanson
Based on the true story of surfer Jay Moriarity, this film touches on the Coast Guard's role in surf rescues and the dangers associated with big wave surfing, highlighting the intersection of surfing culture and ocean safety.
Starring: Gerard Butler, Jonny Weston, Elisabeth Shue, Abigail Spencer, Leven Rambin, Greg Long, Peter Mel, Zach Wormhoudt, Devin Crittenden, Taylor Handley, Cooper Timberline, Maya Raines, Harley Graham, Jenica Bergere, James Anthony Cotton, Channon Roe, Thomas Freil, L. Peter Callender, Andrew Pierno, Coy Coffman, Richard Gross, Gary Griffis, Brandon Fleschner, Adam Del Rio, Keegan Boos, Kaila Pearson, Christopher Sweeney, Elina Wells, Nate Feix, Michael Acosta, Derek W. Adam, Kimberly Allen, AnnaCorey, Elliott Arcelis, Andy Arness, Samuel Baca, Rodolfo C Barrios, Riko Bay, Erin Bell, Alex Bretow, Anthony Cabello, Jacquie Cardinale, Cabran E. Chamberlain, Nestor Cuellas, Robert Cure, Galen Davis, Leesha Davis, Deborah de Alva, Scott Eastwood;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, biography, sport;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“The Finest Hours”, 2016
Director: Craig Gillespie
This historical drama recounts the true story of the 1952 CG 36500 rescue of the crew of a sinking oil tanker off the coast of Cape Cod. It showcases the bravery of the Coast Guard as they undertake one of the most daring sea rescues in history.
Starring: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Eric Bana, Holliday Grainger, John Ortiz, Kyle Gallner, John Magaro, Graham McTavish, Michael Raymond-James, Beau Knapp, Josh Stewart, Abraham Benrubi, Keiynan Lonsdale, Rachel Brosnahan, Benjamin Koldyke, Matthew Maher, Jesse Gabbard, Alexander Cook, Danny Connelly, Angela Hope Smith, Bari Robinson, Kate Crowley, Polly Pillsbury, Thomas Brogan, Peg Holzemer, Tommy Jay Dwyer, Steve Rasetta, Jay Street, Harley Yanoff, Savannah Rae Allen, Elise Arsenault, Jacqueline Astbury, Kenny Beers, Christina Closs, Jamie Crowley, Tom Driscoll, Trevor Dylan, Larry Eudene, Charlie Flannery, John Franchi, John Gigliotti, Robert Glenn, Karl carlo Green, Lia Gurin, Mark Haggett, London Hall, Gene Harrison, Michael W. Hoban, Robert Holfelder;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “The Finest Hours” on the website imdb.com
“Rescue Dawn”, 2006
Director: Werner Herzog
Although primarily a war film about a pilot's escape from a POW camp in Vietnam, it includes elements showcasing the Coast Guard's roles in rescue missions, emphasizing their commitment to saving lives in perilous situations.
Starring: Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Zach Grenier, Marshall Bell, Toby Huss, Pat Healy, GQ, James Aaron Oliver, Brad Carr, Saichia Wongwiroj, François Chau, Teerawat Mulvilai, Yuttana Muenwaja, Kriangsak Ming-olo, Somkuan «Kuan» Siroon, Chorn Solyda, Jeremy Davies, Galen Yuen, Apichart Chusakul, Lek Chaiyan Chunsuttiwat, Craig Gellis, Emmanuel O., Richard Manning, Evan Jones, Bonnie Zellerbach, Seneca Shahara Brand, Stefany Putnam, Katherine Roberts, Andy Loftus, Colin Crosby, Chris Tallman, Chris Butler, Zachary Culbertson, Nate Havoc, David Kiiskinen, Tommy Maples;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: biography, war, drama, thriller;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“The Perfect Storm”, 2000
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Based on the true story of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat caught in a massive storm, the film portrays the Coast Guard's efforts to rescue the crew, illustrating the dramatic and often dangerous conditions faced at sea.
Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Diane Lane, William Fichtner, John Hawkes, Allen Payne, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Karen Allen, Cherry Jones, Bob Gunton, Christopher McDonald, Michael Ironside, Rusty Schwimmer, Janet Wright, Dash Mihok, Josh Hopkins, Todd Kimsey, Chris Palermo, Wiley M. Pickett, Hayden Tank, Merle Kennedy, Jennifer Sommerfield, Joseph D. Reitman, Sandy Ward, Melissa Samuels, Steven Barr, J. Scott Shonka, Patrick Foley, Lloyd Malone, Billy Mayo, Mark Adams, Tim Trotman, Barry Rutstein, Patrick Stinson, Terry Anzur, Katelyn C. Brown, Miles Schneider, James Lee, Jim Argenbright, Michael Spaseff, Walter Altman, Janet Borgman, Jeffrey Corazzini, Tim Cowgill, Elizabeth Duff, Matt Duggan, Shawn Fogarty, Tim Gato;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “The Perfect Storm” on the website imdb.com
“The Last Rescue”, 2015
Director: Eric Colley
This war film follows a group of U.S. Navy sailors and Coast Guard personnel during World War II, focusing on their mission to rescue downed pilots and the camaraderie that develops in life-threatening situations.
Starring: Brett Cullen, Cody Kasch, Gilles Marini, Ryan Merriman, Johann Urb, Elizabeth Rice, Darren Keefe Reiher, Hallie Shepherd, Tony Doupe, Tino Struckmann, Fred Griffith, Dawson Doupé, Daniel Magill, Benjamin Reed, Eric Colley, Corey Burks, Sean Barber, Charlie Corella, David Kilgo, John Blair Richards, Jason Benjamin, Robert G. Colley, Frank Arend, Mitchell Batten, Kendrick Blinn, Burke Bolinger, Jack Bolinger, Dillon Borel, William Borre, Gage Bradbury, Charles Breeden Jr., Charles Breeden Sr., Caleb Breeden, Mark Chapman, Kellans Copell, Justin Courville, Aidan Devillier, Chip Dobson, Paul Dolle, Raphael Edmond, David Effler, Rob Effler, Steve Effler, Joshua Ellerson, Shelby Ellerson, Blake Enfinger, Eric Fraser, Joshua Halverson, Chase Hargrove, Ronald Harrison, Montelle Herbert, Trey Hough, Jaden Johnson, Jerry Jordan, Rick Kieffer, Elvin Manges, Seth Manges, Vin Manges, Artoor Mansouri, Shaun Miller, Brian S. Moe, Scott A. Moe, Jonah Nabinger, Joshua Nabinger, Wesley Odom, Richard Patterson, Matthew Pendergraft, Anthony Roberts, Ben Salvetti, Kevin Shultz, Jackson Smith, Lee Tingey, Bruce T. Voyles, Dennis Wallace, Patrick Williams Jr., Chris W. Wilson, Jesse Wilson;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: action, drama, war;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 4,4;
More information about the film “The Last Rescue” on the website imdb.com
These films collectively portray the valor and expertise of Coast Guard members, bringing to life the challenges and sacrifices they endure to keep our waters safe.
The selection of films about the coast guard offers a captivating and diverse portrayal of the courage and dedication of these unsung heroes. From intense rescue missions in treacherous waters to the emotional toll of their service, these films shed light on the selflessness and sacrifice of the coast guard personnel. Whether through heart-pounding action sequences or poignant human stories, these films honor the bravery and resilience of those who safeguard our shores, leaving audiences with a deep appreciation for the vital work of the coast guard.
