Book Look

‘In the Heart of the Sea’

[MARCH 14, 2001]   ^“In the Heart of the Sea." Nathaniel Philbrick, Viking, 2000, 302 pages.

The exploits of those who have sailed the open seas have always captured the public’s fascination. One of the most incredible stories to emerge from the annals of seafaring history is that of the 19^th century American whale ship Essex, a story described in Nathaniel Philbrick’s book "In the Heart of the Sea."

Sailing from Nantucket, Mass., on Aug. 12, 1819, the Essex and its crew experienced an unimaginable event when, on Nov. 20, 1820, a huge sperm whale rammed the ship on two successive attacks. The attack forced the crew to abandon the sinking ship and face the vast emptiness of the Pacific Ocean.

Their odyssey slowly disintegrated into a sailor’s worst nightmare: starvation, madness and death while lost on the sea. The most shocking aspect of this episode was the murder and cannibalism of some of the shipmates in order to sustain the survivors. By the time the remaining crew members were located in February 1821, their rescuers encountered men resembling human skeletons who were barely clinging to life.

The accounts of this harrowing experience captured the attention of a writer who had gone to sea for adventure: Herman Melville. Melville shared an interest in the seafaring life and the whaling industry, and he used the Essex incident as the inspiration for the climactic scene in his novel "Moby Dick."

As a hunting vessel the Essex represented a 19^th century version of a floating processing factory. She was designed to carry a working crew and the supplies needed to conduct a whale hunt lasting up to three years. During that time the crew was expected to harpoon and kill sperm whales and process them for their precious oil. This processing would involve removing the blubber, chopping it up and boiling it to extract the oil. The ships were built and outfitted out of Nantucket, one of the principal centers of the North American whaling industry.

Whaling was an extremely dangerous profession. As Philbrick notes, "That all of this was conducted on the limitless Pacific Ocean meant that the whalemen of the early 19^th century were not merely seagoing hunters and factory workers but also explorers, pushing out farther and farther into a scarcely charted wilderness."

It is the actual whale hunt that provided the greatest danger to the men and their ship. Philbrick describes the dangers: "Harvesting sperm whales…was no easy matter. Six men would set out from the ship in a small boat, row up to their prey, harpoon it, then attempt to stab it to death with a lance. The sixty ton creature could destroy the whaleboat with a flick of its tail, throwing the men into the cold ocean water, often miles from the ship."

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These are the circumstances under which the 21-member crew of the Essex found themselves as they roamed the Pacific Ocean in search of these "warm blooded oil deposits." It was during one of these routine hunts that the ship encountered the 85-foot whale that attacked the Essex.

The account of the attack and the crew’s subsequent ordeal was recounted by the survivors and, later on, in two written narratives. First Mate Owen Chase and cabin boy Thomas Nickerson wrote of their experiences in published accounts that remain with us to this day.

One of the most poignant moments in Nickerson’s account comes in his description of the attack on the Essex. According to Nickerson, First Mate Chase had the opportunity to slay the whale after the first attack — but he hesitated. Because it was near the ship’s rudder, Chase feared that the injured whale might damage the steering device and send the ship helplessly adrift in the Pacific. Chase held off, allowing the whale to launch its second attack. It was the second attack that left the Essex damaged beyond repair, forcing the crew to abandon ship and take their chances on the open sea.

In his account of the attack, Nickerson wrote, "But could [Chase] have foreseen all that so soon followed he probably would have chosen the lesser evil and have saved the ship by killing the whale even at the expense of losing the rudder." Although he never mentioned it in his own narrative, Chase probably thought the same thing. In the end a rudderless ship would have been preferable to the horror that awaited them.

"In the Heart of the Sea" is an exciting and gripping narrative of one of the most famous events in seafaring history. Philbrick’s thorough documentation and research bring to life the perilous world of 19^th century whale hunting. The story of the ill-fated voyage of the Essex, once relegated to the shadows of history, has been masterfully retold in the grand tradition of a seafaring adventure. "In the Heart of the Sea" is highly recommended to all adult and young adult readers.

For more information visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call 217-732-8878.

[Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]

Movies & Videos

Released on video Tuesday, March 6, 2001

Rated R     Approx 127 Minutes     DreamWorks Home Entertainment -2000

Written and directed by Rod Lurie

Starring:

Jeff Bridges

Christian Slater

Sam Elliot

Joan Allen

Gary Oldman (also the executive producer)

This movie uses graphic language to describe sexual scenes and presents some nudity.

[MARCH 10, 2001]  The box said “two thumbs up” and “Thriller!”

In recent years, the "two thumbs up" endorsement has meant that I probably was going to find the movie to be a loser. "Thriller" usually means I may endure it but I’m probably not going to be thrilled with it.

However, in the case of "The Contender," both my thumbs are up too, and I am indeed thrilled.

"The Contender" is a gritty movie, a political "action" film of sorts. It is a thriller because you don’t have a clear shot at the plot until it is finally revealed for you. At the end, you look back on the film and say, "Yeah, I should’ve seen that coming."

"The Contender" is gritty because it focuses on a dirty fight between political rivals to appoint a new vice president of the United States. The president (played very aptly by Jeff Bridges) selects a woman, Sen. Lane Hanson of Ohio (Joan Allen), for the job, against the advice of party officials and his own advisers. The previous vice president died somehow in office — but "The Contender" never tries to explain his passing.

The whole plot is wrapped up in the confirmation hearings and the process of bringing an appointee to office or sending ’em off packing.

Gary Oldman plays Sheldon Runyon, the Republican chairman of the selection committee. The highly respected, powerful senator seems bent on not only denying the president his day in the sun but also destroying the very career of Sen. Hanson.

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Two things about this movie made a good impression on me.

First, the acting was excellent. Oldman plays a perfect bad guy in this film (he seems to have the bad-guy act down pat). Jeff Bridges, who I thought incapable of playing a convincing president, stepped up to the plate and delivered. Christian Slater played the part of a freshman congressman who was seeking to do the right thing on principle, and was perfectly cast for the part. Finally, Joan Allen was wonderful in her portrayal of the contender under siege.

Second, the plot was dynamite. This movie seems to make you move away from certain characters and make certain assumptions, but you find yourself making a couple of 90 degree turns before it’s done. In the spirit of "The West Wing," it is full of political intrigue and the power of the Washington scene. "The Contender" is a film about respect and dignity and the rocky road to realizing those two values.

The first hour of the movie has a single weakness: The lack of actors on the set portraying political operatives, appointees, devotees and those holding office makes you believe the story less. They needed a fuller cast to make it seem like Washington and government.

This is not a partisan film about the usual struggle between Republicans and Democrats. Instead it is a story about the dynamics of power, accusation and truth.

So, I recommend this film to you if you enjoy a good thriller, if you enjoy stories about the political struggles of this nation and if you like a good fiction about how truth prevails.

I give it 3½ stars (out of five).

[midge]

midge@lincolndailynews.com

The Arts

LCT chooses summer production staff

[MARCH 12, 2001]  Lincoln Community Theatre has announced the 2001 summer production staff.

The first production, "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown," which runs from June 8 through 16, was selected in celebration of LCT’s 30th anniversary season. This musical was the first performance offered by Lincoln Community Theatre during the organization’s first season in 1971.

The 2001 production will be directed by Sean-Edward Hall of Springfield. Wayne Mara of Lincoln has been hired as technical director, with Jason Yarcho, also of Lincoln, as accompanist and orchestra director. Lights and sound will be managed by Stuart Wyneken of Lincoln.

The July 13 through 21 comedy, "Moon Over Buffalo," will be directed by Jerry Dellinger of Lincoln. He will also serve as lighting director. Technical director will be Max Levendel of Bloomington.

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LCT’s final production, "The Wiz," will be directed by Tracy Tiritilli of Bloomington, with husband Mark Tiritilli serving as technical director. The show will run Aug. 3 through 11. Yarcho will again serve as musical accompanist, and Wyneken will handle lighting and sound.

LCT also plans a children’s play this summer. Performances will be June 28 through July 1.

For more information see the LCT website, www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre. 

[LCT news release]

Theatre 7 chooses cast members

[MARCH 3, 2001]  Theatre 7 – Decatur’s Community Theatre has selected cast members for its production of the comedy "Dearly Departed." The show is about a colorful but dysfunctional Southern family coming together to hilarious results when its patriarch, "Bud," passes away.

"Dearly Departed" is being directed by Joe Straka, with Penny Williams as assistant director

Cast members and the characters they play are as follows: Nancy Jo Batman, Raynelle; Shawn Becker, RayBud; Lesa Andrick, Lucille; James Graham, Junior; Tish Duis, Suzanne; Pam Stinson, Marguerite; Tom Morrow, Royce; Carl Sebens, Reverend Hooker; Karen Becker, Veda; John Dunn, Norval/Clyde; Julie Lycan, Nadine; Heather Jewell, Juanita; and Penny Williams, Delightful.

Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Monday, March 5, at the Decatur Civic Center Box Office, 422-6161.

Performance dates for "Dearly Departed" at the Decatur Civic Center Theater will be March 30-31 and April 6-7 at 7:30 p.m. and April 1 and 8 at 2 p.m.

[Theatre 7 news release]

Lincoln Community Theatre’s (LCT) website is up and available. The site serves a number of functions, from providing information on becoming a season ticket holder to showing what new productions are being planned for next season. It lists everything one wants to know about LCT — except the scripts. The top of the page lists those already involved in the theatre and announces any paid or unpaid positions, which are still available. Audition dates are also listed for prospective actors.

The site also links to Gus Gordon Productions and Grand Ball Costumes. Gus Gordon produces plays all over central Illinois, and the site lists the upcoming plays. Grand Ball Costumes rents costumes here in central Illinois for plays, Halloween, weddings, birthdays or any other occasion.

A little farther down, the site offers information on upcoming plays, admission prices and season ticket prices. Presently, LCT’s website is displaying pictures of recent performances: "Annie" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

If you are interested in joining a performance or just going to see one, visit LCT’s website at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/index.html, e-mail LCT at lincolncommunitytheatre@yahoo.com, or write to Lincoln Community Theatre, P.O. Box 374, Lincoln, IL  62656.

[LDN]

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