MOBY DICK

US, 1956, 115 minutes, Colour.
Gregory Peck, Richard Basehart, Leo Genn, Harry Andrews, Bernard miles, Mervyn Johns, Noel Purcell, Orson Welles, James Robertson Justice.
Directed by John Huston.

Moby Dick is one of the classics of American literature, not merely a story about whales, but an allegory about human nature, its good and evil, and its obsessive quests. Writer-director John Huston (The Maltese Falcon, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Man Who Would be King) has no fear of classics and has made an impressive film of Melville's novel.

Critics were not unanimous in praising Gregory Peck for his performance in the key role of Captain Ahab. Striking features were the use of colour and Orson Welles' guest appearance preaching the sermon. Moby Dick raises many serious American (and universal) themes.

1. Was this film enjoyable as an adventure?

2. Melville's original story was an allegory. Did the film present the allegorical nature of the story well: the sea, the ship, Captain Ahab, Moby Dick, the whale, the pursuit, madness, defeat? An allegory of America, of human existence? An allegory of obsession and the quest for conquest and devil?

3. Was the quick pace of the film successful; the colour (especially designed for this film) effective?

4. The story was seen from the point of view of Ishmael. Was he the central character? What was the biblical significance of his name? (Genesis 16) Ishmael as a wanderer? Was he an allegorical character in the film as representing everyman?

5. The atmosphere of New Bedford in 1840: the language, the biblical atmosphere, the beliefs, superstitions, sea and sailing, whaling, the men gathered at the bars? How did this atmosphere set a tone for the film?

6. The atmosphere of the ship Equod? The talk about the ship, fear of Captain Ahab, atmosphere of obsession? Why did Ishmael go on the Equod? The fascination for Ishmael?

7. Comment on the character of Queequeg. As an Indian, as an unusual and fascinatingly horrible looking person? His relationship to Ishmael?

8. The significance of Elijah and his warnings?

9. Orson Welles' performance? the intense sermon and its message, the pulpit shaped like a ship? What did this add to the film? Did it add to the significance of the allegory and the tone of the allegory?

10. Captain Ahab - the dramatic impact, since we did not see him for some time? Was the performance of Gregory Peck convincing? Ahab as a person ? what did he represent? His obsession, the pursuit of Moby Dick, the hold that Moby Dick had on him, its influence on the rest of the crew, Ahab's leg?

11. The voyage? as an adventure, as a quest? The members of the crew and the various attitudes they represented? Starbuck and Wisdom; Stub and plain thinking; Manxman and the others? Their interaction, sharing of attitudes and fears? What did this add to the adventure. to the allegory?

12. The incident with the Rachel? How did this highlight the themes of the film and the attitude of Ahab?

13. The interlude with Captain Boomer and his comments on the enterprise?

14. The race towards Moby Dick; the race towards destruction as if possessed by evil.

15. The confrontation between Moby Dick and the ship, the crew. and Ahab? Why did the crew go after Moby Dick? Did they deserve their death? The fury of Ahab against Moby Dick? The irony of his being lashed to the whale in his death? What comment did this make on the whole enterprise?

16. Why was Ishmael saved? To continue wandering alone? TO tell the story? To warn others?

17. What were your overall impressions of the film? Did it show insight into some of the deeper aspects of human nature?