The Whales of August (1987)
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63% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
68% of users liked it
(1,487 ratings)
A once-in-a-lifetime cast of veterans performs David Berry's play about Libby Strong (Bette Davis) and Sarah Webber (Lillian Gish), widowed sisters vacationing on a Philadelphia island for their 60th consecutive summer. Libby is blind and embittered, while Sarah is healthy, supportive, and… More A once-in-a-lifetime cast of veterans performs David Berry's play about Libby Strong (Bette Davis) and Sarah Webber (Lillian Gish), widowed sisters vacationing on a Philadelphia island for their 60th consecutive summer. Libby is blind and embittered, while Sarah is healthy, supportive, and almost annoyingly chipper. Their neighbor Tisha (Ann Sothern) tries to convince Sarah to put Libby in the care of her daughter, but Sarah hasn't forgotten Libby's moral support when her own husband died, and she won't entertain such notions -- until she is swept off her feet by an aging roué (Vincent Price). When Libby spitefully sabotages this romance, an infuriated Sarah decides that gratitude has its limits. But when it actually comes down to selling their summer house and sending Libby packing, Sarah can't do it. In the film's flashback sequences, Libby is played by Margaret Ladd, Sarah by Mary Steenburgen, and Tisha by Ann Sothern's real-life daughter Tisha Sterling. Another film personality of long standing, Harry Carey Jr., is well cast as the sisters' handyman. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Lindsay Anderson
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1987 Wide
- Studio
- Nelson Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
This is not my cup of tea, but it is a fascinating last picture show for a likeable legendary acting troupe.
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Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
Seeing as how the cast is a who's who of Hollywood legends, short bios would certainly have been appropriate, but alas there's not even a hint of added features.
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Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
The names of Lillian Gish, Bette Davis and Vincent Price will never be forgotten by film lovers. The Whales of August, on the other hand, surely will be.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A worthy film that affords the viewer a rare chance to see some fine acting by stars the like we'll not see again.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Deeply moving drama about two elderly sisters who discover that it's never too late to change.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Bette Davis
as Libby Strong
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Lillian Gish
as Sarah Webber
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Vincent Price
as Mr. Nikolai Maranov
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Ann Sothern
as Tisha Doughty
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Harry Carey Jr.
as Joshua Brackett
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Frank Grimes
as Mr. Beckwith
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Frank Pitkin
as Old Randall
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Mike Bush
as Young Randall
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Margaret Ladd
as Young Libby
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Tisha Sterling
as Young Tisha Doughty
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Mary Steenburgen
as Young Sarah
