A 1952 blizzard is the setting for a legendary sea rescue, which is the subject of this big-screen adventure. It's the tale of the true story of the greatest small-boat rescue in U.S. Coast Guard history, which happened to take place off the waters of Chatham, Massachusetts, on the Cape.
"This is a great story of Coast Guard heroism," said Wes Pulver, executive director of the National Coast Guard Museum and a retired Coast Guard Captain. "The Coast Guard has had a great impact on our maritime history since that time."
It is just one of many stories that will be told at the future home of the National Coast Guard Museum in New London.
"The beautiful part about the museum is that we`ll be able to tell that story, and so many others like it, on the waterfront," said Pulver, a 28-year veteran.
The movie will be screened Thursday night at the Garde Arts Center and Coast Guard members will be attending. For the city, it is a sign that New London is looking to the museum as more than just something to do, making the city more of a tourist destination.
"We've got four years of hard work ahead to put this together," said Pulver. "We can`t wait to open the doors, and see the smiles from the retirees down to the kids from the local magnet schools to come to this museum and hopefully be inspired."
"The Finest Hours" opens across the U.S. on Friday and stars Chris Pine and Casey Affleck.