Actually, that's not completely true. I've attempted to crack the book's spine multiple times, but can never make it past the first few chapters. Going in, I was slightly apprehensive about the film. The story is great and filled with metaphors and all the stuff I generally dig about movies (and storytelling in general), but I wasn't looking forward to what I guessed would be a two-hour film about whaling that somehow managed to gain public acclaim.
For me, the real "hook" came when I discovered Ray Bradbury adapted the screenplay. I may not be living up to my English degree when it comes to "The Canon," but I'm a massive Bradbury fan. Again, I haven't read the book, but was instantly sucked into the film. Though whaling is obviously a big part of the film, it manages to drill straight to the core of the story.
Even without reading the novel, I think everyone can at least utter the novel's famous opening words, "Call me Ishmael." This line refers to Ishmael (Richard Basehart), the story's narrator, an accomplished sailor who decides to try his luck on a whaling expedition. Once aboard the ship, Ishmael meets Ahab (Gregory Peck), the ship's captain who is slightly obsessed with finding Moby Dick, a giant white whale. A few years back, the whale got the upper hand on Ahab and managed to scar the captain.
As it turns out, Ahab's scars aren't just physical. Ahab is a man possessed and uses his whaling ventures as an excuse to search for the whale and gain revenge.
Although I'm seriously lacking when it comes to literary canon, I'm better versed when it comes to films; so when it comes to John Huston's adaptation of the novel, I'm comfortable with saying it's a spectacular thing to behold.
Though slightly subdued in tone, everything about Moby Dick works as a film. It's not a thrill-a-minute adventure set on the high seas, but instead an uncomfortable look at a bunch of guys stuck on a ship with a madman. Everyone has a reason for being on the ship, but is forced to conform to Ahab's pursuit of vengeance.
Other than a trailer, Moby Dick is devoid of any extra features, save the included bookmark. Then again, Moby Dick is a DVD you add to your collection for the movie, not for the extras.
