MOBY-DICK

This remastered 1975 recording should be called GREAT MOMENTS FROM MOBY-DICK for it gives us only some of that long novel's most famous passages. On side one, a youthful Keir Dullea essays the opening chapter. Untrained in the vocal technique appropriate to the text, he bravely substitutes sincerity and commitment, thus becoming a very credible Ishmael indeed. In contrast, George Rose postures soulessly through Father Mapple's turgid and moving sermon, sapping it of most of its power. The rest of the tape is a star turn for Charlton Heston. It reminds this reviewer of Cecil B. de Mille's direction to him during the filming of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: "Moses didn't know he was a Biblical character." Heston does no more credit to Melville than to Moses, mugging so shamelessly that one is embarrassed for him. Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 99]