The Whale
Dramatic retelling of the fateful last voyage of the Nantucket whaleship Essex, which was attacked and sunk by a sperm whale in November 1820, sending her crew on an epic journey.
Dramatic retelling of the fateful last voyage of the Nantucket whaleship Essex. When the Essex is attacked and sunk by a sperm whale in November 1820, her crew take to three fragile whalers. Alone in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the men must decide whether to head for the nearest islands - a thousand miles downwind to the west - or set out on an epic journey of almost three thousand miles to reach the South American mainland. Fear of cannibals forces them to choose South America.
Almost three months later, the first whaler is rescued by another whaleship. Only three men are still alive. A week later the captain's whaler is also rescued, with just two men aboard. The third whaler is never found.
This is a story of human endurance and what men in extremis will do to survive.
Last on
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Interview with actors John Boyega and Jassa Ahluwalia on the set of The Whale in Malta.
Clips
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Interview with Martin Sheen
Duration: 03:59
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Jassa and John interview
Duration: 03:52
More about whales
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Tom Nickerson | Martin Sheen |
| Young Tom Nickerson | Charles Furness |
| Owen Chase | Jonas Armstrong |
| Captain George Pollard | Adam Rayner |
| Benjamin Lawrence | Jolyon Coy |
| Owen Coffin | Jassa Ahluwalia |
| Richard Peterson | David Gyasi |
| William Bond | John Boyega |
| Obed Hendricks | Ferdinand Kingsley |
| Matthew Joy | Paul Kaye |
| Executive Producer | Eamon Hardy |
| Executive Producer | Ruth Caleb |
| Producer | Mike Dormer |
| Director | Alrick Riley |
| Writer | Terry Cafolla |
Broadcast
- Sun 22 Dec 2013 21:00
Captured on canvas
The melancholy story of Moby Dick and whale hunting in paintings.
