Along with Shakespeare's Iago, Captain Ahab stands as an archetypal embodiment of pride. His pursuit of the white whale that chomped off his leg is an obsession; nothing else matters. He will chase him to hell and back if necessary. And in the process, this proud man will jeopardize the lives of all those under his command.

In this 145-minute television production directed by Franc Roddam, Patrick Stewart rants and raves as the domineering captain of the whaling ship Pequod during the 1840s. His fixation on revenge against the white whale troubles Starbuck (Ted Levine), the principled first mate. However, Ahab's will power dashes his efforts to stop him. Also unable to stop the inexorable movement toward tragedy are Ismael (Henry Thomas) and his friend Queequeg (Piripi Waretini). This screen version of Herman Melville's classic novel effectively portrays the truth of Proverbs 16:18 — "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" — to a new generation of youth.