The Whale

The true story that inspired Moby Dick.

Released

2013

Directed By

Alrick Riley

Starring

John Boyega

Charles Furness

Jolyon Coy

MORE INFO
Poster for British TV film, The Whale.

Synopsis

An elderly Tom Nickerson recounts his experiences as a cabin boy aboard ‘The Essex’, a whaler that set sail from Nantucket in 1819 under Captain George Pollard. Despite romantic expectations, Tom’s view of life at sea is shattered by storms, a food shortage, and rising tensions between Captain Pollard and first mate Owen Chase. After a vengeful whale sinks the ship, the crew faces a gruelling 2,000-mile journey to Peru, resulting in only five survivors being rescued ninety days later. The end-title reveals the fates of Tom, Pollard, and Chase.

WATCH

The Whale Scenes on Gozo

Charles Furness, as Tom Nickerson, stands on the bridge of the Essex.
A tense moment aboard The Essex, filmed at Wied il-Għasri in Gozo, as the character prepares for what lies ahead.

The Whale Locations Map

Did You Know?

The story of The Whale was inspired by the ‘Essex Incident’ of 1820, the same incident that inspired Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.

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