EXPERIENCE THE TRUE ENCOUNTER THAT INSPIRED THE MYTH MOBY DICK.
In 1850, author Herman Melville (Ben Wishaw) hears the story of how the whaling ship Essex encountered a huge, aggressive albino sperm whale thirty years earlier and was sunk. The real-life drama that inspired the great American classic ”Moby-Dick” doesn’t live up to its epic potential onscreen, but is still an engaging film. Technically well-made, with gorgeous 3D visuals and a lot of tension in the showdown between the Essex and the whale. Melville’s appearance serves as a framing device; focus lies on Chris Hemsworth, the ship’s first mate. The characters are the weakest link here though, lost in the spectacle.
2015-U.S.-Spain. 122 min. Color. Directed by Ron Howard. Book: Nathaniel Philbrick. Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle. Cast: Chris Hemsworth (Owen Chase), Benjamin Walker (George Pollard, Jr.), Cillian Murphy (Matthew Joy), Tom Holland, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Whishaw.
Trivia: At one point, Barry Levinson was allegedly considered as director.