The Whales of August poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Bette Davis, Lillian Gish, Vincent Price, Ann Sothern, Harry Carey Jr. ... see more see more... , Frank Grimes , Frank Pitkin , Mike Bush , Margaret Ladd , Tisha Sterling , Mary Steenburgen

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 ... read more read more...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

Flixster Users

68% liked it

1,450 ratings

Critics

63% liked it

8 critics

PG, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Lindsay Anderson

Release Date: January 1, 1987

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 7, 2003

Get It:
 

Stats: 88 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Lilian Gish & Bette Davis in Whales of August The Whales of August Ann Sothern in The Whales of August The Whales of August The Whales of August Ann Sothern in Whales of August
Upload a Photo | View All The Whales of August Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (88)

  • ajv2688
    February 6, 2011
    ajv2688
    This stuffy drama will interest anyone who likes movies about the elderly, but other wise, I'd say stay away from it. It's very boring, slow, and by the middle, I didn't care about the story anymore.
  • The80sExpert
    July 28, 2010
    The80sExpert
    If you love dramas with old people sitting around talking about old people stuff, you will love this movie. Unfortunately that isn't my idea of a good time, so I was totally bored with this movie, I didn't even watch the whole thing. I wanted to see Vincent Price, I love him, b... read moreut his character didn't seem to add much to the story anyway.
  • donibscott
    July 15, 2010
    donibscott
    Betty Davis will astound you one last time here in this unusual drama.The problems facing us as we grow old are not so easily brushed away sometimes. This movie brings it to light quite well.
  • sleepykiss
    March 15, 2007
    sleepykiss
    "Busy, busy, busy, always busy." Whatta cast. Just wonderful. Major weeper too. Luv BD, LG & VP always.
  • gloucesterrugbyfan1
    February 3, 2007
    gloucesterrugbyfan1
    Lillian Gish and Bette Davis are great, and I've wanted long silver hair like Bette Davis had ever since I saw it.

View All The Whales of August Reviews

Critic Reviews

Robert Roten
October 30, 2008
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. Full Review

Ryan Cracknell
April 23, 2004
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. Full Review

Ken Hanke
March 1, 2004
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. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
July 10, 2003
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. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 17, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Whales of Aug... : Watch Free on TV

The Whales of August Trivia

  • A record holder in the Guinness Book Of World Records, this actress appeared in her first film in 1912 ("An Unseen Enemy," with her younger sister), and made her final screen appearance in 1987 (in "The Whales Of August," alongside Bette Davis). Who was she?  Answer »
  • Ann Southern won an Oscar for her role in The Whales Of August ?  Answer »
More The Whales of August Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The Whales of August. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add The Whales of August to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?