Having read In the Heart of the Sea several times, I was actually pretty excited when I heard this movie was being made. This seemed like one of the few times that a "true story Hollywood won't make because no one will believe it" was actually going to be made. Even better, I didn't see how they could screw this up- sure, they'd probably fudge some facts a little, and combined some events or people, but that has to happen (and some is expected) in order to make a watchable movie.
Well, they managed to screw it up... Completely fabricated/changed large amounts of the story, changed the character of the people, and virtually ignored the harder aspects (I assume so people wouldn't be offended).
Some of the bigger issues:
- Melville "based" Moby Dick in part on Owen Chase's published account of the story. Thomas Nickerson's account was not published until
1984, and there is no evidence Melville ever talked to him
- Pollard was indeed a first time captain, and actually gave Owen Chase a fair amount of input on the running of the ship- completely opposite of
the movie's representations
- To (hopefully) no one's surprise, the whale did not pursue them across the Pacific following the wreck
- Chase did not send a boat back to the island (incorrectly identified), the three men were found almost a year after the Essex sank. Matthew
Joy died at sea in Chase's boat.
- 4 of the men were cannibalized, Owen Coffin drew the mark to be killed, and Pollard offered to protect him, which Coffin refused. (ironically,
Pollard had decided to make for South America, instead of the closer Marquesas, but allowed Chase and others to overrule him due to a fear
the islands may have cannibals)
- Owen Chase continued whaling for a further 19 years, 1 more trip as a first mate, the rest as captain, he did not go to sea as a merchant
captain.
- Pollard was not bent on pursuing the whale that sank the Essex, despite what the movie claims. He did however serve as captain for one
voyage on a merchant vessel, before leaving the sea to become Nantucket's night watchman.
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Prime Video
In the Heart of the Sea
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.
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More details
- Supporting actors
- Tom HollandBen WhishawBrendan GleesonJordi MollaJordi Mollà
- Studio
- Warner Bros.
- Rating
- PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
- Content advisory
- Violencenuditysexual contentdrug use
- Purchase rights
- Stream instantly Details
- Format
- Prime Video (streaming online video)
- Devices
- Available to watch on supported devices
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Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2016
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Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2016
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Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2016
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Top reviews from other countries
Martin Peter Collinson R.A.F
VERY MOVING SUCH A GOOD FILM!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2019Verified Purchase
Taffy wales
Mint dick
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2020Verified Purchase
David Conreen
Brilliant Movie which is made better by the 3D experience.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2016Verified Purchase
Pdw
Good in 3d vr
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2019Verified Purchase
William Jones
Amazing sound
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2016Verified Purchase
