That's my only complain in an otherwise superb movie.
shareUnderstood. However, the thinking was that Frederic Ledebur looked like the character in the 19th Century steel engravings of that were made for various editions of the novel.
shareQueequeg is not specifically a Maori. He's a generic Polynesian.
"What I got don't need pearls." -- Linda Darnell (1923-65)
I'm not sure he's even meant to be Polynesian. He just says he's from "the islands." He could be one of the indigenous people of the Caribbean (closer to American Indian). In which case the actor was more suited.
shareThe first paragraph of Chapter 12 in the novel is:
"Queequeg was a native of Rokovoko, an island far away to the West and South. It is not down in any map; true places never are."
The heads he was trying to sell were from New Zealand.
While this doesn't prove he was Polynesian, it strongly suggests it; second most likely is Melanesian.
I'm talking about the movie script, where they're even less specific, probably in anticipation of people saying WTF?? about the actor. Now if the whale had been black, that would have been a problem.
shareHow about a Native American hunting whales?
RIP Heath Ledger 1979-2008
But I think Melville already had a Native American harpooner - iirc - called Tashtego and an African one named Dagoo. So it's pretty definite that Queequeg is from "South Sea" locale...
shareI think that's one to whom I'm referring...looks to be plains, possibly Sioux or Cheyenne. Hunting whales...I'm so sure!
RIP Heath Ledger 1979-2008
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I think the point was to have an actor who looked different from the others. Not white, not black, not American indian, but a very imposing, distinguisable figure, rather than a stereotype. In that sense, I think he was the right choice.
Never be complete.
I agree. In my opinion the actor was effective in the role. He certainly was exotic looking and physically imposing.
share