The Whales of August (1987)

Summer people in Maine: things are changing. Whales no longer pass close to the shore as they did during the youth of two elderly widowed sisters who have a seaside home where they've ... See full summary »

Director:

Lindsay Anderson

Writers:

David Berry (play), David Berry (screenplay)

Stars:

Bette Davis, Lillian Gish, Vincent Price

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bette Davis	...	Libby Strong
Lillian Gish	...	Sarah Webber
Vincent Price	...	Mr. Maranov
Ann Sothern	...	Tisha Doughty
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Joshua Brackett
Frank Grimes	...	Mr. Beckwith
Margaret Ladd	...	Young Libby
Tisha Sterling	...	Young Tisha
Mary Steenburgen	...	Young Sarah
Frank Pitkin	...	Old Randall
Mike Bush	...	Young Randall

Storyline

Summer people in Maine: things are changing. Whales no longer pass close to the shore as they did during the youth of two elderly widowed sisters who have a seaside home where they've summered for 50 years. Libby is blind, contrary, and seemingly getting ready to die. Sarah is attentive to her sister, worried about continuing to care for her, and half interested in an old Russian aristocrat who fishes from their shore. It's the eve of Sarah's 46th wedding anniversary. The Russian offers some fish he's caught, Sarah invites him to dinner, and Libby gets her back up. Sarah wonders if it isn't time to sell the place and find a home for Libby. What alternatives do old people have?

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Plot Keywords:

whale | maine | beach | jealousy | flashback | 

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Taglines:

The Screen's Immortals... A movie you'll never forget.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

As Baleias de Agosto

Filming Locations:

Cliff Island, Maine, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$1,338,198 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nelson Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to director Lindsay Anderson, one day he said to Lillian Gish, "Miss Gish, you have just given me a perfect close-up." Bette Davis observed, "She should. The bitch invented 'em."

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Goofs

Libby and Sarah have been coming to the cottage since they were children, but Sarah tells Mr. Beckwith that her aunt built the cottage 50 years ago, which would mean that Libby and Sarah were actually in their late 20s-early 30s when it was built.

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Quotes

Libby Strong: Busy, Busy, busy, always busy.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Fabulous Baker Boys/Breaking In/Crimes and Misdemeanors/Look Who's Talking (1989)

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Soundtracks

"Roses of Picardy"
(uncredited)
Music by Haydn Wood
Lyrics by Frederick Edward Weatherly

User Reviews

Legends and grace!

This was the last film of Lillian Gish and it has to be the most graceful exit an actor or actress has ever had. All screen legends should have the dignity of their last film being this touching. This story is about two elderly sisters who are staying in their family cottage on the coast of Maine. Lillian Gish plays Sarah Webber the oldest of the two and she is caring for her sister Libby Strong (Bette Davis) who is blind and maybe in the early stages of senility. They have a neighbor and life long friend in Tisha (Ann Sothern) who suggests to Sarah that she might want to think of selling the old cottage. An acquantance named Mr. Maranov (Vincent Price) asks to fish on their shore but he really is fishing around for a place to live. He is of European nobility and full of stories but he has no money and seems to exist on the kindness of others. Both Sarah and Libby are widows and frequently relate events of the past to each other. The film is directed by Lindsay Anderson who usually makes satirical English films and this was his first American feature. He does an adequate job but he has the sense of just allowing the camera to catch every emotion these actors convey. This is not a great film but it is a very special one. Its a very simple story but thats just fine, something extra special doesn't have to be happening for this film to work. Gish was an amazing 93 when she made this and even at that age she showed she could carry a film and display an incredible amount of energy. She still had that girlish nature about her and her performance is a revelation. Davis was also incredibly strong but she suffered from having to recite some unbelievable dialogue. I didn't quite buy the scene where she comes out of her bedroom saying she had a dream about her and Sarah. But her best moments come in the quieter scenes. When Davis is gazing at nothing and thinking about her future you can only guess what is going on in her head. I thought she was at her best when the camera would just focus in on her face and she didn't speak. These two actress's were very different in their personalities and Davis was very difficult to work with later in her career. But I read a wonderful thing about the wrapping of this film. When the shooting was done Bette walked over to Lillian Gish and gave her a hug of mutual respect. It was high praise to have a cantankerous Bette Davis show that type of respect. Of course, Gish could charm anyone. She spent her career doing it. For you trivia buffs, Ann Sotherns real life daughter Tisha Sterling (Valley of the Giants) plays her as a young woman and Mary Steenburgen plays a young Sarah. This film is a must for all film buffs.