X
- 1956
- Approved
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 56 m
- 1956
- Approved
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 56 m
Summary The sole survivor of a lost whaling ship relates the tale of his captain's self-destructive obsession to hunt the white whale, Moby Dick.
Directed By: John Huston
Written By: Ray Bradbury, Norman Corwin, Herman Melville, John Huston
- 1956
- Approved
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 56 m
- 1956
- Approved
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 56 m
Moby Dick
78
User Score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
Summary The sole survivor of a lost whaling ship relates the tale of his captain's self-destructive obsession to hunt the white whale, Moby Dick.
Directed By: John Huston
Written By: Ray Bradbury, Norman Corwin, Herman Melville, John Huston
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
78
60% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
40% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
78
60% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
40% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The term classic gets tossed around a lot, but few films ever actually fall within its definition. John Huston's 1956 production of Herman Melville's Moby Dick, coolly received by critics when it first came out, now falls within the parameters -- a model of its kind. [03 Sep 1993, p.F23]
This is the third time Melville's story has been put upon the screen. There is no need for another, because it cannot be done better, more beautifully or excitingly again.
Lent a stout overall unity by Ray Bradbury's intelligent adaptation, by colour grading which gives the images the tonal quality of old whaling prints, and by the discreet use of a commentary drawn from Melville's text which imposes the resonance of legend, it is often staggeringly good.
One could have plenty of quarrels with this as an adaptation of the Herman Melville novel, but it’s still one of the better John Huston films of the 50s.
Gregory Peck's dignified Ahab is, like his leg, somewhat wooden, but the cast is splendid (not least Orson Welles's guest spot as Father Mapple), and Oswald Morris's experimental colour photography (based on old whaling prints) is commendable. [29 May 2005, p.79]
Who could ever buy Atticus Finch as the demonic Ahab driven by hellfire to hunt down that dreaded white whale?
Moby Dick is interesting more often than exciting, faithful to the time and text [of the Herman Melville novel] more than great theatrical entertainment. Essentially it is a chase picture and yet not escaping the sameness and repetitiousness which often dulls the chase formula.
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Awards
National Board of Review, USA
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
