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Moby Dick (Classic Drama)

Ishmael, the narrator, tells of the adventures of Captain Ahab in his relentless quest to seek revenge on the white whale that bit off his leg. Full of allegory and symbolism, Moby Dick is an epic tragedy of tremendous dramatic power and narrative drive. This large-scale adaptation, recorded in America, skilfully reproduces the unique mixture of adventure, myth, history, and philosophy in Melville's epic tale.

‘Moby Dick’ was first published in Britain as 'The Whale' in 1851. It is an extraordinary book, made up of 135 chapters, all written in a variety of styles - from sailors’ slang to biblical prophecy and Shakespearian rant.   Ishmael, the narrator, tells of the adventures of Captain Ahab in his relentless quest to seek revenge on the white whale that bit off his leg. Full of allegory and symbolism, ‘Moby Dick’ is an epic tragedy of tremendous dramatic power and narrative drive.  This large-scale adaptation, recorded in America, skilfully reproduces the unique mixture of adventure, myth, history and philosophy in Melville's epic tale.

Herman Melville

Trevor White

Garrick Hagon

P J Brennan

Ian Holm

Adrian Scarborough

Paul Scofield

Charles Simpson

Full Cast

Three Full-Cast Dramatisations including Moby-Dick

BBC adaptations of three works by Herman Melville, plus bonus biographical programmes about his life and workBorn in 1819, Herman Melville spent his early twenties at sea. He wrote four successful novels based on his experiences, but his subsequent fiction failed to sell, and he spent the rest of his life in literary obscurity. It was not until 100 years after his birth that his works were rediscovered, and Moby-Dick is now recognised as one of the great American novels. Adapted for BBC radio, it is included here, alongside dramatisations of Bartleby the Scrivener; Billy Budd, Sailor and two bonus documentaries.Moby Dick – Now in middle age, Ishmael looks back on his younger self and recalls the voyage that has haunted him for half his life. Setting sail aboard the Pequod, he is caught up in Captain Ahab’s obsessive pursuit of the great white whale – a chase that will end in tragedy. Trevor White and Garrick Hagon star in this compelling dramatisation of Melville’s masterpiece, adapted by award-winning author Stef Penney.Bartleby the Scrivener – Hired as a copyist in a firm of lawyers, Bartleby is a model employee – until the day he announces that he would ‘prefer not to’ undertake a certain job. Then the list of tasks he’d rather avoid doing becomes longer and more sinister…This famous tale of resistance and alienation stars Ian Holm and Adrian Scarborough.Billy Budd, Sailor – Press-ganged into service on a Royal Navy warship, handsome young Billy Budd is falsely accused of mutiny by the cruel master-at-arms John Claggart. Outraged by this unfair allegation, Billy lashes out and kills Claggart – only to find himself charged with treason… Paul Scofield, Charles Simpson and Matthew Morgan star in this adaptation of Melville’s final prose work, left unfinished on his death in 1891, published posthumously in 1924 and later adapted into an opera by Benjamin Britten.The Strange Journey of Herman Melville – With contributions from Melville scholars and critics, this fascinating profile explores the forgotten author of Moby-Dick, who fell out of favour during his lifetime and whose reputation was only re-established after his death.There She Blows!: The Legacy of Moby Dick – Fraser Harrison traces the origins of Melville’s magnum opus and looks at the contemporary image of the whale as described by poets, musicians and artists.First published 1851 (Moby-Dick; or, The Whale), 1853 (Bartleby, the Scrivener), 1924 (Billy Budd, Sailor)© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

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