For those who care: SPOILERS AHEAD! You have been forewarned.
Moby Dick (1956)
Best Sea Shanties
The singing throughout the film gives it a timeless feeling of an old legend retold.
Best-Looking Ahab
Subjective, I know, but in my view, Gregory Peck definitely wins here.
Most Caucasian Queequeg
Inexplicably played by German actor Friedrich von Ledebur.
Least Credited Pip
No credit, and only one line for this actor!
Best Delivery of From Hell's Heart I Stab at Thee Speech
No one's done it better than Peck.
Best Queequeg Signature
I love that his mark here is both the shape of a whale and an infinity sign.
Moby Dick (1998) USA Network miniseries
Most Theatrical Ahab
Patrick Stewart wins here, hands down, giving it the old Shakespearean tragedy treatment.
Most Realistically Traumatized Pip
This production does a really good job of showing how Pip was affected by his near drowning, and how he lost the joy for things he once loved. I also like how he dresses like a mini-Ahab complete with peg leg, and Ahab is totally charmed by it.
Longest-Haired Queequeg
For some reason, the actor who plays Queequeg has a full head of hair here. I guess he really didn't want to shave his head.
Only Film in Which Queequeg is Actually Played by a Maori Actor
And his name is Piripi Waretini.
Least Canonical Queequeg
It really bothers me how in this film, during the lightning scene (Ch.119 - The Candles) Queequeg genuflects in awe before Ahab. Melville would not approve! Remember, Queequeg "looked like a man who had never cringed and never had had a creditor." (Ch. 10- A Bosom Friend).
Special Award for an Appearance by Bulkington
Bulkington appears here as a man who abandons ship in a whale boat midway through the voyage, thus fictionally becoming a second possible survivor (and he says, "I always liked thee, Starbuck!") He does not appear in any of the other films.
Special Award for an Appearance by Fedallah and Crew
This is the only appearance by Fedallah in any of the films. Possibly the other filmmakers thought one prophecy (from Elijah) was enough.
Moby Dick (2011) Starz-Encore miniseries
Most Realistic and Yet Least Canonical Ahab
I really love William Hurt's performance here. He plays Ahab as an actual real-life person rather than a legend or symbol. However, this comes at a price. I was shocked watching him assure his wife (who appears at the start of the film), "It's just a whale." I don't think Ahab would ever, ever say that about Moby Dick, even if trying to convince himself. He's also a loving father, which is really inconsistent with the book in which he's hardly aware he has a son.
Most Disgusted Starbuck Who Can't Even With All of Ahab's Nonsense
Ethan Hawke's expressions vacillate between horror and absolute repulsion. I wish I had a screencap of this.
Best Starbuck-Pip Relationship
The two end up forging a really sweet father-son bond when they realize they will die together. Starbuck tells Pip, "You are the bravest cabin boy I ever knew."
Special Award for Gratuitous and Non-Canonical Racist Steelkilt
This is the only film in which Steelkilt appears, and he's on the crew of the Pequod, not the Town-Ho. His beef is also with Stubb instead of Radney. His primary role appears to be making racist jabs at Dagoo. I am not sure if this adds anything to the plot. This film's Starbuck (award for Most Inclusive Starbuck) makes sure Steelkilt knows that kind of foolishness will not be tolerated on this very democratic ship, period.
Most Anachronistic Language
"Hey Queequeg, are you all right?"
Most Devoted Ishmael and Queequeg
They share a strong bond in all the film versions, but this version is a little extra despite the fact it never shows them sleeping together. Queequeg tenderly applies salve to Ishmael's face after Ishmael is assaulted by Ahab (yes, two events that never happen in the book). They even share a special one-on-one goodbye before the last lowering.
Which film is your favorite? What awards would you give?
Most Devoted Ishmael and Queequeg
They share a strong bond in all the film versions, but this version is a little extra despite the fact it never shows them sleeping together. Queequeg tenderly applies salve to Ishmael's face after Ishmael is assaulted by Ahab (yes, two events that never happen in the book). They even share a special one-on-one goodbye before the last lowering.
Which film is your favorite? What awards would you give?
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