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Shipbuilder

1985·Movie
6min
63
DecentGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

Shipbuilder fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Spectacle5
  • Tension4
  • Violence3

Heart

Nostalgic and moving

Much of it is about family.

  • Nostalgia9
  • Pathos8
  • Family Dynamics8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Situational Comedy3
  • Physical Comedy2

World

A real life story, history, and family

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Rewatchability7
  • Dialogue Centrality6

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and direction

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9
  • Direction8

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

What would drive a man to spend 10 years of his life building a ship in the middle of the prairie 17 miles (27 km) from the nearest body of water?

This film recreates the true story of Tom Sukanen, an eccentric Finnish immigrant who homesteaded in Saskatchewan in the 1920s and 1930s. Sukanen spent ten years building and moving overland a huge iron ship that was to carry him back to his native Finland. The ship never reached water.
Canadian Historical DramaBiographical EpicMelancholic NostalgiaRural Pioneering SpiritEmotional ResilienceVisually AtmosphericStrong Character StudyTragic RomanceSlow-Burn NarrativeCultural Heritage

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Shipbuilder

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Shipbuilder legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Shipbuilder in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Shipbuilder worth watching?

63
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 63/100 (IMDb 6.3). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Shipbuilder rated?

Violence

Content advisories: violence.

How long is Shipbuilder?

0 h 6 min

Shipbuilder runs 0 h 6 min.

Is Shipbuilder based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

What language is Shipbuilder in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in Canada.