It was such a good thing that Lindsay Anderson came on board to direct The Whales of August allowing Bette Davis and the whole company of very senior actors a chance to shine again with a great helmsman by their side. Bette along with Lillian Gish, Vincent Price and Miss Ann Sothern ( who in old age was finally nominated for a supporting Actress Award ) are all at the top of their game in this story of two old and in one case sickly sister. Bette Davis coming off her strokes, cancer and a broken hip somehow managed to give a good performance and gave it her all though she needed much rest time between scenes. Lillian Gish provides everything her sister is not. She's genteel, kind, a wonderful ally for her friends. Remembering her youth and a beau from decades and decades ago provides for an honestly beautiful ritual that will touch your heart. Oh, so gently. ( One of the most memorable scenes in the film )The Davis character was written as woman of not too pleasant disposition. Vincent Price and Ann Sothern as two neighbours who come a visiting provides for a lovely re-union of old neighbours, but the film aside, it provided 4 great stars the chance to triumph for one last time, each in their last film. In the next few years all would pass, the sadder for us.
The Whales of August, title and all is an allegory that unfolds on a New England coast, I believe. I need not explain its obvious meaning.
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