The Whales of August (1987)

Two aged sisters reflect on life and the past during a late summer day in Maine.

Director:

Lindsay Anderson

Writers:

David Berry (screenplay), David Berry (play)

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

It's August. Like they have most summers, elderly widowed sisters Libby Strong and Sarah Webber, who live in Philadelphia, are staying together in the family's summer cottage on an island off the coast of Maine. The cottage, which now belongs to Sarah, has been in their family most of their lives, was the family's summer getaway from Philadelphia when they were younger. There are a few people who have been friends or acquaintances on the island, including the outspoken Tisha Dought, and Joshua Brackett. Someone new at least to Sarah's social circle is Mr. Maranov, a former Russian aristocrat. His stay on the island is threatened when his landlady, Hilda Partridge, passes away. Sarah and Libby have come to the realization they are in the respective twilight of their lives, Sarah, who still keeps busy and wants to savor life's pleasures, acts as now sightless, cantankerous and bitter Libby's caregiver. Sarah knows she can no longer take care of Libby. As such, Sarah has to make ...

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Plot Keywords:

whale | maine | red wine | emerald | female protagonist | 

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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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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 August 1987 (France)

Also Known As:

As Baleias de Agosto

Filming Locations:

Maine, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,338,198

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,338,198

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nelson Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White (flashbacks) Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Penultimate theatrical feature film of actress Bette Davis whose final picture would be Wicked Stepmother (1989).

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Goofs

When the radio (or wireless) is switched on in order for Libby to listen to her favourite programme, the sound of the broadcast is heard immediately as though it were a modern transistor or digital radio. But the film is set in the mid-1950s during the era of valve wireless receivers (see also the prop used in the scene), meaning that the ladies would have to wait for several seconds while the set warms up before the programme could be heard.

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Quotes

Mr. Maranov: [recounting his mother, in the time of Imperial Russia] She said, "Nikolai, our Empress is gone. There will no longer be any use for any of us. You must leave me now and go into the world." Then she handed me a handkerchief - in which she had wrapped all of her remaining jewelry. She made me take it. My mother kissed me and said, "Use my treasure for your needs, my son, but in the end, be able to say that it was well spent."

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Connections

References Crazy Mama (1975)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Brings tears to this middle aged man's eyes

Until tonight, I had not seen this charming film since it was first released in 1987--at that time I was 30. Now I'm quite a few years older [you do the math--:)]. . .I'm not easily brought to tears, not at weddings, not at funerals, not by sad movies. But the beauty of the final moments with the Misses Davis and Gish caused me to tear up and cry like a baby. How wonderful it is to see these two ladies--plus Mr. Price and Ms. Southern--give such moving and real performances, well past the years when most people have retired and decided it was time to sit around and wait for death. If just one person of my age--or any age, older or younger--sees this film and changes a defeatist attitude, then the actors and writer have done their job.

I know my attitude is changed. . .