In the Heart of the Sea (2015)

A recounting of a New England whaling ship's sinking by a giant whale in 1820, an experience that later inspired the great novel Moby-Dick.

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Charles Leavitt (screenplay), Charles Leavitt (story)

Stars:

Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Hemsworth	...	Owen Chase
Benjamin Walker	...	George Pollard
Cillian Murphy	...	Matthew Joy
Brendan Gleeson	...	Tom Nickerson
Ben Whishaw	...	Herman Melville
Michelle Fairley	...	Mrs. Nickerson
Tom Holland	...	Thomas Nickerson
Paul Anderson	...	Caleb Chappel
Frank Dillane	...	Henry Coffin
Joseph Mawle	...	Benjamin Lawrence
Edward Ashley	...	Barzillai Ray
Sam Keeley	...	Ramsdell
Osy Ikhile	...	Richard Peterson
Gary Beadle	...	William Bond
Jamie Sives	...	Cole

Storyline

In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance. The real-life maritime disaster would inspire Herman Melville's Moby-Dick. But that told only half the story. "In the Heart of the Sea" reveals the encounter's harrowing aftermath, as the ship's surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive. Braving storms, starvation, panic and despair, the men will call into question their deepest beliefs, from the value of their lives to the morality of their trade, as their captain searches for direction on the open sea and his first mate still seeks to bring the great whale down.

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Plot Keywords:

ship | boat | starvation | disaster at sea | whaling | 

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Taglines:

Based on the incredible true story that inspired Moby-Dick

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Biography | Drama | History | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and peril, brief startling violence, and thematic material

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Australia Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 December 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

En el corazón del mar

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,053,366, 13 December 2015, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$25,020,758

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$93,920,758

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.,Village Roadshow Pictures,RatPac-Dune Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Auro 11.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2000, Barry Levinson was set to direct a film adaptation of the book distributed by Miramax.

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Goofs

At the beginning of the voyage when the Captain has too much sail going into a squall, Mr Chase and Mr Joy each cut a line to bring down a sail. In heavy winds the lines to the sails would be extremely taut or possibly jerking wildly. Mr. Joy's line has slack in it and is not jerking. Also, in those winds an experienced sailor would not grab the line with his bare hand - especially on the side of the cut that will still be attached to the sail.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Herman Melville: [in his letter] How does one come to know the unknowable? What faculties must a man possess? Since it was discovered that whale oil could light our cities in ways never achieved before, it created global demand. It has pushed man to venture further and further into the deep blue unknown. We know not its depths, nor the host of creatures that live there. Monsters. Are they real?
[a huge whale passes]
Herman Melville: Or do the stories exist only to make us respect the sea's dark secrets?
Title Card: NANTUCKET ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Graham Norton Show: Chris Hemsworth/Ron Howard/Lily Tomlin/Kevin Bridges/Blake/Shirley Bassey (2015)

User Reviews

The Cruel Sea Meets Moby Dick

This is a high quality sea faring adventure movie, apparently based on a true event. I am glad to highly recommend the film as the whole production is first class and to fully appreciate the picture better to view it at the movie house rather than the likes of DVD. As for example the spectacular ocean scenes are at their best on the big screen.

In around 1820 huge profits were available to shipping companies for catching whales mainly for their sperm. One such company had an important whale hunting expedition but for selfish motives employed an inexperienced ship's captain, whilst the second in command ought to have been in charge. That fatal error leads to disastrous consequences. Indeed it was this story which led to the subsequent fictional classic book Moby Dick.

The movie for me captures the time period perfectly as the production and design is meticulous even down to the accents and language spoken. I felt I was transported to the 1820's and beyond.

An excellent cinema experience!

7 and a half rounded up:

8/10.