78
Metascore
10 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100The New York TimesBosley CrowtherThe New York TimesBosley CrowtherThis is the third time Melville's story has been put upon the screen. There is no need for another, because it cannot be done better, more beautifully or excitingly again.
- Filmed at considerable danger to cast and crew, MOBY DICK, under Huston's strong direction, is one of the most historically authentic, visually stunning, and powerful adventures ever made.
- 100Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesThe term classic gets tossed around a lot, but few films ever actually fall within its definition. John Huston's 1956 production of Herman Melville's Moby Dick, coolly received by critics when it first came out, now falls within the parameters -- a model of its kind. [03 Sep 1993, p.F23]
- 80Village VoiceVillage VoiceThe virtues of this Moby Dick are many. [17 Oct 1956, p.6]
- 80Time OutTime OutLent a stout overall unity by Ray Bradbury's intelligent adaptation, by colour grading which gives the images the tonal quality of old whaling prints, and by the discreet use of a commentary drawn from Melville's text which imposes the resonance of legend, it is often staggeringly good.
- 75Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumOne could have plenty of quarrels with this as an adaptation of the Herman Melville novel, but it’s still one of the better John Huston films of the 50s.
- 60EmpireIan NathanEmpireIan NathanWho could ever buy Atticus Finch as the demonic Ahab driven by hellfire to hunt down that dreaded white whale?
- 60The New YorkerPauline KaelThe New YorkerPauline KaelFor all his dedication to this ambitious project, the director, John Huston, must not have been able to keep up his energy level; at times, his work seems surprisingly perfunctory.
- 60The Observer (UK)The Observer (UK)Gregory Peck's dignified Ahab is, like his leg, somewhat wooden, but the cast is splendid (not least Orson Welles's guest spot as Father Mapple), and Oswald Morris's experimental colour photography (based on old whaling prints) is commendable. [29 May 2005, p.79]