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The long awaited Modest Mouse video for “King Rat” directed by Heath Ledger was released today — and it’s a true testament to the late actor’s stance on illegal commercial whale hunts. Using rough animation, it shows a world where whales hunt humans.

A tribute to Heath on The Masses website reveals a bit of the background saying,

Always one to operate from his heart and take a stand for what he cared deeply about, Heath’s intention was to raise awareness on modern whaling practices through a potent visual piece without having to say a word.  It was his way to let the story, in its candid reversal, speak for itself. The video was fully conceived down to the last detail but unfinished when Heath passed away in January of 2008.   We completed the video in his honor with the support and advocacy of Isaac Brock (of Modest Mouse).

Proceeds from iTunes video downloads in the first month of release will go toward Sea Shepherd — a group that Ledger was passionately involved with. As discussed earlier, we’re pretty sure this animated video is the one the actor was anxious to show Captain Paul Watson. It should also not come as a surprise that before his death, Heath was tipped to play Watson in a movie about his life and anti-whaling adventures. Check it out below:

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