Moby Dick movie notes
1956 Gregory Peck
Ishmael is on a quest: “The sea is a mirror where each man finds himself.”
Ahab is first seen on a stormy night.
In this new life, he shares his bed with a cannibal.
He appears attentive at a sermon preached from a pulpit like a ship’s focsle. “The sin of Jonah is disobedience.” He can’t escape God on “a ship made by men.”
After the sermon, cut to Queequog reading a book about whales. Seeking knowledge from nature.
He and Queequog form a pact to be friends.
Ishmael: “I want to know whaling.”
Ahab: “His looks tell more than any church sermon about the mortality of man.”
The clerk asks Qeeqquog if he is Christian. If he knows the 10 commandments. Queequog answers by demonstrating his skill will a harpoon.
On the way from the Pequod a man who calls himself Ezekial stops them and warns them about Ahab. “You are signing away your souls.” He characterizes it as a voyage into the heart of evil. “Ahab will rise again.”
Ishmael: First seen at sea. “with the marks of some inner crucifixtion carved in his face.” His leg “carved from the jawbone of a whale.” Maimed and partly of the whale.
Ahab talks to the crew about Moby Dick. Nails a gold coin to the mast for whoever sights him. Has a ceremony of drinking and crossing swords, swearing enmity to Moby Dick.
The crew sits around discussing the legends and superstitions about the whale.
Men on boats going after a whale. We see a successful hunt followed by rendering the flesh for oil.
55 barrels of oil, reported to Ahab. Seems uninterested in that. Sets a course to get closer to Moby Dick. Ahab: “Do you ever ponder the movement of whales?” Ahab: “Once we’ve attended to our bigger business.” Ahab has figured out the movements of Moby Dick. He is planning the voyage purely around encountering Moby Dick.”
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