film directors who have made the Island the backdrop for movies such as "The Deep'' and "Bermuda Depths''.

This time it is Bermuda's rough waters which have convinced a top British film director to choose Bermuda over Caribbean locations for stormy ocean scenes in his latest work.

Next week, a team of 50 will be arriving in Bermuda to shoot part of director Ridley Scott's latest movie "White Squall''.

Scott's past successes have included the movies "Alien'', "Blade Runner'' and "Legend''. His best-known film, "Thelma and Louise'', earned him an Oscar nomination.

Among the all-American cast will be star Jeff Bridges.

Producers of Mistral Productions Limited chose Bermuda over Caribbean locations after they claimed the seas around Grenada where the bulk of the film was shot, were too calm.

Instead, they will be shooting ocean scenes ten miles off St. David's on two yachts due to arrive here on Monday.

The English production team and the American cast are due to arrive here on a charter flight from South Carolina where they have been on location this week.

Co-producer of the film Mr. Nigel Woll chose Bermuda as the ideal location for stormy ocean scenes after spending just a day here chatting to local seafarers.

Former Cabinet Secretary Mr. Kenneth Richardson claimed he suggested the visit after Mr.

Woll contacted him through a mutual friend in the English film business.

Mr. Richardson would only say about the film's plot: "It is about a young man on a sailing ship.'' He added that the Bermuda scenes would be shot exclusively on the water.

Two local boats will be chartered for the crew who will be staying in hotels around the St. David's and Hamilton area.

Since the 1950s Bermuda has served as the location for films such as "The Admiral Crichton'', "The Deep'', "The Ivory Ape'' and "Bermuda Depths''.