The grimy faces of Moby Dick

I watched the DVD of Moby Dick over the weekend. It is a film adaption made in 1956 by John Huston of the book written by Herman Melville.

I like the way it is narrated by the young sailor Ishmael played by Richard Basehart. Three things about the film really struck me.

• How much full of splendid physical character the actors were - not a buffed bod to be seen and plenty of wrinkles.
• Their speech was magnificant.
• How much public attitudes to whales have changed.

Its a great tale and worth watching. The DVD has a slideshow of photos from the making of the film including the whale.