Moby Dick

It’s a story that’s been filmed so many times that it’s hard to imagine what new twist anybody could bring to it to make Capt. Ahab’s obsession with the Great White Whale worth watching again. You get the answer about 10 minutes after this fascinating mini-series begins when Ahab, played with subtle restraint by William Hurt, makes his first appearance. Just the fact that we see Ahab interacting with his family before the Pequod ever sets sail is a nice improvement to the usual Moby Dicks, which always keep Ahab locked in his cabin like an evil spectre. In fact, there’s a sense of understatement — and realism –throughout the story that really highlights the battle of one man versus the greatest achievement nature ever put on this earth. The only real disappointment, strangely enough, are the not-so-special effects used to show us what Moby Dick looks like.