The Whales of August (1987)
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- Not Rated
- 1h 30min
- Drama
- 19 Aug 1987 (France)
- Movie
Two aged sisters reflect on life and the past during a late summer day in Maine.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Bette Davis | ... |
Libby Strong
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| Lillian Gish | ... |
Sarah Webber
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| Vincent Price | ... |
Mr. Maranov
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| Ann Sothern | ... |
Tisha Doughty
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| Harry Carey Jr. | ... |
Joshua Brackett
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| Frank Grimes | ... |
Mr. Beckwith
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| Margaret Ladd | ... |
Young Libby
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| Tisha Sterling | ... |
Young Tisha
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| Mary Steenburgen | ... |
Young Sarah
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Frank Pitkin | ... |
Old Randall
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Mike Bush | ... |
Young Randall
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Directed by
| Lindsay Anderson | ||
Written by
| David Berry | ... | (screenplay) |
| David Berry | ... | (play) |
Produced by
| Stuart M. Besser | ... | associate producer (as Stuart Besser) |
| Shep Gordon | ... | executive producer |
| Mike Kaplan | ... | producer |
| Carolyn Pfeiffer | ... | producer |
Music by
| Alan Price | ||
Cinematography by
| Mike Fash | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Nicolas Gaster | ||
Editorial Department
| Laurie McDowell | ... | first assistant editor |
| Frank Pomposelli | ... | color grader |
Production Design by
| Jocelyn Herbert | ||
Art Direction by
| Bob Fox | ||
| K.C. Fox | ||
Set Decoration by
| Sosie Hublitz | ||
Costume Design by
| Rudy Dillon | ||
Makeup Department
| Virginia G. Hadfield | ... | hair stylist: Miss Davis (as Virginia Hatfield) |
| Julie Hewett | ... | makeup artist |
| Peggy Schierholz | ... | hair stylist (as Peg Schierholz) |
| Dione Taylor | ... | hair stylist: Miss Davis |
| Toni Trimble | ... | makeup artist: Miss Davis |
Production Management
| Dixie J. Capp | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Beverly Burton | ... | second second assistant director |
| Matthew J. Clark | ... | second assistant director (as Matthew Clark) |
| Broderick Miller | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Christopher Amy | ... | property master |
| Mike Bush | ... | construction supervisor (as Michael Bush) |
| Evan Klein | ... | assistant art director |
| Anna Rita Raineri | ... | art department coordinator |
| Paul W. Gorfine | ... | scenic artist (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Alan Bell | ... | sound editor |
| Jacques Leroide | ... | dubbing assistant |
| Steve Sollars | ... | boom operator |
| Hugh Strain | ... | dubbing mixer |
| Don Summer | ... | sound mixer (as Donald Summer) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Tom Anderson | ... | best boy electric (as Thomas Anderson) |
| Don Cerrone | ... | key grip |
| Tony Corapi | ... | electrician (as Anthony Corapi) |
| Julie Gant | ... | electrician |
| David A. Harp | ... | second assistant camera (as David Harp) |
| Roger Kimpton | ... | grip |
| Jonathan Levine | ... | still photographer |
| John Newby | ... | chief lighting technician |
| Jean Pagliuso | ... | still photographer |
| Steve Ramsey | ... | best boy grip |
| Colleen Riley | ... | grip |
| Daniel Sanabria | ... | first assistant camera |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Marjorie Farber | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Teresa Visinare | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Julie Weiss | ... | costumes: Miss Davis |
Music Department
| Derek Wadsworth | ... | conductor / music arranger |
Script and Continuity Department
| Kathryn Weygand | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Robert Muir | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Chester Pettengill | ... | driver (as Chester Pettuegril) |
Additional Crew
| Roger Berle | ... | facilities coordinator: island |
| Ulrika Brand | ... | assistant to producers |
| Vera Dragicevich | ... | craft service |
| Larry Gagne | ... | security coordinator |
| Roberta Gagne | ... | caterer |
| Susan Hagar | ... | assistant production accountant |
| Richard Morrison | ... | title designer |
| Susan Muir | ... | production accountant |
| Victoria Pearman | ... | production executive (as Victoria Lee Pearman) |
| Holly Pitkin | ... | production assistant |
| Janice Reynolds | ... | production coordinator |
| Cathy Rosenstein | ... | production office assistant |
| Marc Sigsworth | ... | director's amanuensis |
| John York Jr. | ... | production assistant |
| Kira Willoughby | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Betty Bringolf | ... | thanks |
| Fred Caruso | ... | thanks |
| Scott Dyer | ... | thanks |
| James Frasher | ... | thanks |
| Bob Howard | ... | thanks |
| Sheila Joyce | ... | thanks |
| Mary Kane | ... | thanks |
| George Lair | ... | thanks |
| Dick Lea | ... | thanks |
| Carolyn Lockwood | ... | thanks |
| Judith McKone | ... | thanks |
| Ruth Mistark | ... | thanks |
| Coley Mulkern | ... | thanks |
| Joanna Ney | ... | thanks |
| Polly Pitkin Ryan | ... | thanks |
| Frank Pitkin | ... | thanks |
| Miriam Reiner | ... | thanks |
| Ned Reiner | ... | thanks |
| Johanna Von Tiling | ... | thanks |
| Merry Watson | ... | thanks |
Production Companies
- Nelson Entertainment (co-production)
- Alive Films
- Circle Associates
- Nelson Entertainment
Distributors
- Alcine Terran (2013) (Japan) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Alive Films (1987) (United States) (theatrical)
- CEL Film Distribution (1988) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Finnkino (1989) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Herald Ace (1988) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Plånborg Film (1989) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Egmont Film (1990) (Sweden) (VHS)
- Egmont Films (1990) (Finland) (VHS)
- Embassy Home Entertainment Australia (1988) (Australia) (video)
- Gativideo (Argentina) (VHS)
- Kino Lorber (2017) (United States) (DVD)
- Kino Lorber (2017) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (United States) (DVD)
- Mundial Filmes (Brazil) (VHS)
- NBCUniversal Entertainment (2012) (Japan) (DVD)
- NBCUniversal Entertainment (2018) (Japan) (Blu-ray)
- NHK-BS2 (1995) (Japan) (tv)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1994) (Finland) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Boston Light & Sound (thanks)
- Casco Bay Lines (thanks)
- Keylite Production Services (grip and lighting equipment)
- Lionel Plante and Associates (thanks)
- Nelson Rarities (thanks)
- Optical Film Effects (opticals)
- The Boston Connection Inc. (editorial equipment)
- Warner Bros. De Lane Lea (post-production facilities)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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 alternate living arrangements instead of the Philadelphia house.Those arrangements will not involve Libby's estranged daughter Anna, who has the means to take care of her mother, although not the want. It is their interactions with Tisha and Mr. Maranov which may decide their sisterly fate for the immediate future. Written by Huggo |
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| Taglines | The Screen's Immortals... A movie you'll never forget. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $3,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Screen legend Lillian Gish was 93 when she co-starred in this film, making her the oldest actress ever to feature in a leading role. See more » |
| 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. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Sicilian/Prince of Darkness/No Man's Land/The Glass Menagerie/The Whales of August (1987). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Roses of Picardy See more » |
| Quotes |
Libby Strong:
Photographs fade. Memories live forever. See more » |