On a luxury liner bound for England in 1932, Harvey Cheyne Jr. (Kenny Vadas), the spoiled, orphan son of an American railway tycoon, is on his way to a prestigious boarding school with his guardian, Arthur Wade (Robert Wisden). Imperious with Wade and the crew, the obnoxious show-off wreaks chaos by masterminding a stunt that brings the ship to a complete halt. Unrepentant, Harvey shrugs off all reprimands, continuing to dole out threats and orders to the displeased officers and to Wade.

Heedless of the growing contempt he attracts, Harvey invites himself to gamble with the stewards who barely contain their hostility towards him. During the card game, Harvey’s arrogance provokes one of the stewards to offer him a cigar, knowing it will make him sick. Overwhelmed by nausea, Harvey rushes to the rail and, losing his balance, tumbles overboard. The liner sails resolutely on.

Rescued by the crew of the fishing schooner WE’RE HERE, Harvey meets his match in the ship’s dauntless captain Matt Troop (Robert Urich). After an ungrateful display of petulance, bribery and demands to be returned immediately to New York, Harvey soon realizes Captain Troop cannot be bought and that he is stuck with the crew, and they with him, until the ship returns to port in three months time. Grudgingly at first, Harvey evolves into a hardworking apprentice, eager to learn and happy to be partnered with Troop’s son Dan (Kaj-Erik Eriksen), who becomes like a brother to him. His condescension has given way to respect, loyalty and decency.

Plunged into a reality he has never known, Harvey experiences the bitter loss of a friend when Dan Troop bravely saves the life of a fellow crew member but loses his own in the process. On their return to port, the crew disperses with family and friends as Harvey is reunited with Arthur. Overwrought with grief, Captain Troop reluctantly makes his way ashore to tell his wife that their son is dead. Harvey meanwhile informs Arthur of his intention to reward the captain and crew who saved his life. The baffled guardian begins to see that Harvey, transformed by experience, is at last worthy of his inheritance.

-- www.hallmarkent.com (Official Website)

Made-for-cable version of Rudyard Kipling's popular novel about a spoiled rich boy who comes of age after spending three months at sea aboard a fishing schooner. While traveling to Europe, young Harvey Cheyne falls off a cruise ship. He's saved by Manuel, a Portuguese fisherman, who takes the boy aboard his schooner. Manuel and the other members of the crew teach the boy all about life at sea and, in the process, Harvey comes to care very deeply for the experienced fisherman. Before the boy is reunited with his father again, he must learn to get over a devastating tragedy which has taken place during the journey.

-- www.ifilm.com
-- www.rottentomatoes.com

Harvey Cheyne, Jr., second richest person in the world, orphaned and spoiled rotten, encounters a cigar and the sea on his way to England for boarding school. Seasick, over the rail for real, rescued by Dan Troop of a Gloucester fishing sailboat. Three months at sea, under a firm but fair Captain Troop (fair wages of $10.50 a month, if you don't work you don't eat). A hard life and a dangerous one, and a lot of growing up to do through hardship and tragedy.

-- www.imdb.com

A watchable second TV remake of Kipling's classic story as the story gets "updated" to the 1930s. A spoiled young heir falls from a luxury liner and is rescued by fishermen. After a few months of hard work, he learns about values and friendship. It still doesn't get near the 1937 classic.

-- www.filmsandtv.com

On a luxury liner in 1934, 14-year-old Harvey, orphaned, egotistic and one of the richest people in the world, falls overboard. He is quickly rescued by Captain Throop’s fishing boat. He and his son Dan begin to deal with Harvey’s egotism by forcing him to face the realities of life. Harvey attempts to buy his way out of the situation, but nothing moves the Captain. For the next three months, Harvey finds he must work for his food. He slowly learns the value of work and camaraderie. Dan becomes his tutor and best friend. Harvey is finally given responsibility for his own fishing boat. During a storm, Dan gives his life helping another fisherman. Now reformed, Harvey uses his wealth responsibly to help others and builds a hospital in the fishing village.

VIOLENCE/SCARINESS: Harvey’s few moments in the storm are stressful. Dan and Harvey have a fight that is mostly scuffling. Dan dies and his body is seen.

CRIMES: None.

MORAL ISSUES & VALUES: Harvey gambles for money. Harvey apparently falls overboard because of his gambling and smoking! He smokes because of peer pressure – claiming that he knows how when he doesn’t, gets sick and falls overboard. Through hard work, Harvey discovers who he really is and his inner potential. He becomes sensitive to the needs of others through his experiences. The Captain is the very image of the strong father. According to the film: Wealth in the hands of someone who is sensitive can be used for the public good. Making friends is an important skill. Spoiled kids are, basically, unhappy.

ALTERNATES: Other films where spoiled brats get their just desserts are “Private Benjamin,” “Rushmore,” and “The Magnificent Ambersons.”

SEXUALITY, GENDER ISSUES, AND BODY FUNCTIONS: Nuclear families. Women are mentioned only as wives or potential wives. It seems that the Captain’s wife, Marion’s only role in life is to be a mother to someone, anyone, and this is why she wants to adopt Harvey after Dan dies.

SUBSTANCES: Several young men smoke cigars, and Harvey gets very sick when he pretends he knows how to smoke. A boat full of “dead men” drink heavily from bottles and die a few moments later when their ship explodes because they were drinking rather than taking care of it.

COMMENTS: This TV movie is a lush, serious and ambitious interpretation of the classic novel. The conflict between the values of the upper class and the working class is clear with no question as to who is right. The last third of the film is a bit mushy – mourning, farewells, and so on. Overall, a beautiful film full of positive traditional values.

-- www.filmvalues.com

Lively adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling novel follows the adventures of a spoiled businessman's son who is picked up after being lost at sea by a fishing vessel and learns valuable lessons in maturity and courage from one of the ship's crew.

-- www.moviesunlimited.com

A spoiled rich kid's eyes are opened to the ways of the world when he falls under the influence of a ship's captain who saves his life.

-- www.reel.com

A spoiled runaway gets some intense life lessons when the captain of a fishing schooner rescues him from the sea and puts him to work in this adaptation of the novel by Rudyard Kipling. Part of the "Timeless Adventures" series of family-oriented programming.

-- www.eonline.com
-- www.videoflicks.com

Rudyard Kipling's classic novel is re-told in this made-for-television adaptation. Robert Urich stars as Troop, the captain of a schooner who rescues a child (Kenny Vadas) after he falls overboard from a passing ship. The boy -- a spoiled, orphaned, rich kid -- learns valuable lessons about life and the sea as Captain Troop and his son make him earn his passage on their vessel.

-- www.blockbuster.com

Bratty millionaire orphan Harvey Cheyne, Jr. is about to find out privilege doesn't count for much on a busy fishing boat.  Robert Urich (Lonesome Dove, "Spencer for Hire," "Vega$"), Kenny Vadas (The Santa Claus) and Kaj-Erik Eriksen (Immediate Family, "The Commish") star in a spirited adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic novel about a rich boy's coming-of-age on the high seas.

Young Harvey is used to getting his way.  That's what riches have brought for 14 spoiled years.  But money doesn't talk where he's going.  Traveling aboard an international cruise liner on his way to a prestigious British boarding school, Harvey tumbles overboard, and is rescued by the crusty Captain Troop -- a hard-working man of the sea who isn't the least bit impressed with the boy's wealth, attitude and untested work ethic.  With no port in sight and three months worth of fish to catch, Harvey is given a choice: fish or fast.   His decision won't change the course of the ship, but it will change his life.   Set sail on an exciting, heartwarming adventure the entire family will enjoy.

-- www.familyfilms.com