Moby Dick
Moby Dick

Moby Dick

1972Movie107 minRussian

The television play begins with the story of Ishmael, an American sailor who sets out on a whaling voyage. The ship's captain, Ahab, is obsessed with getting revenge on a giant white whale known as Moby Dick. During a previous voyage, the whale bit off Ahab’s leg, and since then, the captain has worn a prosthetic.

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IMDb6.8/10
Director: Jack SmightGenres: Adventure, Drama

Plot Summary

Captain Ahab, obsessed with revenge for a past injury, leads his whaling ship, the Pequod, on a relentless pursuit of the great white whale, Moby Dick. Despite the crew's growing unease and the warnings of the first mate Starbuck, Ahab's monomaniacal quest drives the ship and its men toward a tragic and inevitable confrontation with the leviathan.

Critical Reception

The 1972 made-for-television film adaptation of Herman Melville's classic novel received a mixed to positive reception. While Gregory Peck's commanding performance as Captain Ahab was widely praised, some critics found the pacing slow and the overall production less impactful than previous adaptations. It was considered a respectable, though not definitive, version of the beloved literary work.

What Reviewers Say

  • Gregory Peck delivers a powerful and memorable performance as Captain Ahab.
  • The film captures the epic scope of the novel, though some found it lacked the dramatic intensity of other adaptations.
  • Visually, the film is competent for its time, but doesn't quite reach the heights of cinematic achievement.

Google audience: Audience reception for this specific television adaptation is not widely documented in a consolidated manner on Google. However, general sentiment towards the film often highlights Gregory Peck's presence as a major draw, with some viewers appreciating the faithfulness to the source material.

Fun Fact

This made-for-television film was part of a series of adaptations of classic literature produced by Robert L. Jacks, aiming to bring literary works to a wider audience.

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