The Whales of August (DVD, 2003)

I am a Bette Davis fan. How great it is to see all of these old favorite stars--Bette, Lillian Gish, Ann Sothern, and Vincent Price--in probably their last film! In fact, the DVD cover says that this is Ann Sothern's and Lillian Gish's last film. Bette Davis was 79 when she made it; she had suffered a stroke before its filming.

The movie belongs to these two beloved, aged stars Bette Davis (Libby) and Lillian Gish (Sarah). They are widowed sisters living in a family cottage on the seacoast of Maine in August. They had lived there as children and have fond memories of waiting for the whales to appear from the coastline. Libby is practically blind now, and Sarah does most of the caring for both of them. We see them in their daily routine, which is extremely hard at this age just to have meals and a walk. They reminisce about their husbands, receive company, and entertain a Russian immigrant (Vincent Price). Sarah thinks that Libby is waiting to die, and is concerned about her mood. She also dreams to have a picture window in the living room so that they can better see the sea. Sarah almost makes up her mind to ship Libby to her daughter's place in Philadelphia, but then something happens to change her mind.

This movie is very emotional--about the same as its closest relative in this genre, "On Golden Pond." It is also similar to the Walton TV series in that nothing really exciting happens, but you get so attached to the family. The cinematography and music are fabulous!

If you don't mind old people--their repetitions, their criticisms, their demands, their reminiscenses, you will enjoy this movie. Otherwise, it is not for you.

It is a film that would most likley not see the inside of a movie house. The story has very few characters, storyline is of 2 sisters who are in their twilight years and coming to some relizations about their lifes. One sister cares for the other (who is blind, and is quite crusty on the outside) but a good heart. The other sister relizes that with her sister's blindness and other health problems, must come to the difficult decision of making changes in the relationship. The supporting cast are lively with rich past histories and add to the story in all the right places. This is a movie of life,family,friends, ups and downs, but in the end it is really about the love between 2 sisters who each summer from childhood would look for the whales in august who would float by their beachside house.

The Whales of August is a story of a small New England beach town of two sisters their, their friends. Skillfully played by Lillian Gish, Bette Davis,
Ann Southern, Harry Carey Jr..

A beautiful film with two superb legendary actresses, Lillian Gish and Bette Davis both in great form here in their later years.

Delicate film that defines the later lives of two aging, proper, opinionated Maine sisters and their coastal neighbors. Living on a Maine island, I easily recognize everything but the Maine dialect which is off the mark but not distracting. Lovely seaside scenery and interiors, consummate actors, tight script. You won't recognize Queen Bette! She aged gracefully.