Reviews

After first viewing this film in early 1969 I had the distinct impression that I had just seen the finest film I would ever see. In 32 years that feeling has not waned. This is without question the greatest achievement in motion picture history. Whatever misgivings one might have for its lack of traditional dramatic and narrative structure - the film offers a vision of Mankind's ultimate place in the Universe that is both profoundly beautiful and terrifying. The critics who hated it have never come to terms with the scale of the Cosmos and the true measure of their own insignificance. Most are scientifically illiterate. They must feel they could have (to use Herman Melville's words) "offered God advice during the six days of creation...these people are all cracked across the brow..."

To see all of Human history - from the Pleistocene to the 21st century - pass within the space between two film frames (as if it were unimportant...!) is something most mental lightweights can't handle. Those who can are given the opportunity to see at least the goal of Cosmic Consciousness and the ultimate end to human strife ahead of us - assuming we can overcome our egotism and narrowmindedness.

The most legitimate religious experience of the 20th and 21st centuries is to embrace the grand myths of our own time - to understand the natural origin of Mankind and to look forward to our first contact with advanced extraterrestrial life. No other film reflects these sentiments more sincerely. It has indeed pointed the way to a truly new age.

A note to Mr. Tom Hanks: I shattered your "record" long ago. I've seen this film at least 100 times projected! 40 times in 70mm, 60 times in 35mm, and once in 16mm (awful - never again...!) Thanks for your undying respect for this timeless masterpiece and your own fine film work preserving the history of space exploration.

A few points of clarification for some of the last few comments. The film was indeed shot in Technicolor but with a special process developed by cinematographer Oswald Morris involving a desaturation of the color to resemble hand-tinted steel engravings of the 19th century - like the artwork plates that accompany the opening titles. The MGM/UA laser disc has restored the color well. If the sky looks almost grey (and not green or even magenta, as in faded prints) it is correct. The dialog is part Melville but mostly Bradbury and Huston trying to sound like Melville: "That bed is a coffin and those are winding sheets, I do not sleep Mr. Starbuck, I die..." is not Melville, but it's great... This is still the best adaptation of Moby Dick, the recent USA network version not withstanding. Patrick Stewart is not scary enough to be Ahab. If another version is made I would recommend Anthony Hopkins or Gary Oldman for the role (just dreaming...) and I would spare the audience nothing with regard to Melville's language - his words are as beautiful as Shakespeare's and should be treated with the same respect.

This film is rarely seen and not available on video. I made a personal copy on Beta tape (from a 16mm print) over 20 years ago to assist in the writing of my master's thesis on the adaptations of Moby Dick. Although it has some interesting maritime visual elements including some documentary footage of the butchering of sperm whales - it has very little to do with Melville's story or characters. Ahab is given a more heroic and romantic treatment. A love interest (Esther) and a rival half-brother provide a conflict never dreamed of by the novelist. The 1930 sound version is similar in most respects although shorter. I won't spoil the ending but you can again be sure it has nothing to do with Melville.