Salvem as Baleias

This is a superb film, designed for the entire family. A fascinating script, first-rate acting, glorious scenery (shot on location in remote islands off of England), and memorable music help make this film a classic. It is set in 1914, and World War One plays a role in the story. But the time is basically irrelevant; the place is not. The story is about a legendary curse, a man who survived it, and an opportunity to lift it, focusing on the destruction and preservation of an extremely rare form of whale.

At its conclusion, I asked my wife, "How could a film like this be made today?" I still don't know. But let us give thanks that we still have enough imagination and basic decency to film a fairy tale with messages that are eternal. It remains an incredible artistic scandal that a movie of this quality has not appeared on DVD.

When the Whales Came is a low key adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's book. It is set in the Scilly islands in 1914, just at the outbreak of World War One.

Gracie and Daniel are two children living in this impoverished island fishing community. The local school is stern, Daniel's father is sterner.

Gracie faces tragedy as her father went off to fight in the war and was reported to be killed.

Both children befriend Birdman (Paul Scofield.) This deaf old man lives an isolated life, doing wood carvings.

When Birdman finds a beached whale, he wants to push it back out to the sea. The islanders wants the whale for the money it will bring them.

The Birdman tells a story of what happened when the last time the whales were beached up in Samson. He was a little boy then and greed bought tragedy with it.

With eerie, haunting music, this is charming simple tale with an ecological subtext. It is a bit slow to get going.

It portrays life in this gloomy harsh small island environment. Even in 1914, Gracie's father is fearful what life is going to be like for his child when she grows up.

This charming 1989 film was shown recently on cable. Not ever having seen it, or known about it, one realizes what a shame it is not to have been show to a wider audience. "When the Whales Came" is a wonderful film that should be seen by children, as it will charm and involve them in a positive way. Director Clive Rees does a wonderful job in adapting Michael Marpago's novel, in which it's based.

The story takes place in the remote, but beautiful Scilly islands. They are inhabited by people that eke a life out of a hostile environment. Two children, Gracie and Daniel are intrigued by the mysterious man, the Birdman, who lives in a remote shack, but who sensing their curiosity, begins leaving them a few of his wood carvings. As they get to meet the man, he encourages them to follow his example. Then one day, whales beach themselves and the Birdman pleads with the children and the other folks to help him in getting these gentle giants back into the ocean where they belong.

It's a sweet story made even better by Paul Scofield, who as the Birdman makes a fabulous contribution to the film. Mr.Scofield, an actor's actor, is rarely seen on the screen and one rejoices in seeing this magnificent actor in the film. Helen Mirren is also seen as the mother of one of the children. The children, Helen Pearce and Max Rennie are delightful. Also seen in the film, David Suchet, Barbara Jefford, Jeremy Kemp and David Threlfall, among others.

An inspired film that will satisfy any audience thanks to the treatment Mr. Rees gave everything.

On a remote, desolate island off the British coast, a community lives a hand to mouth existence, celebrating when passing yachts come to grief so they can scavenge the wood. They celebrate more when a pod of narwhales are beached, knowing they can eat in style for weeks. As the islanders ready themselves to butcher the whales, an elderly hermit appears to warn of danger if the whales are harmed, remembering an earlier time when the slaughter of a pod of stranded whales was followed by disaster.

Good performances all round, led by Paul Scofield and Helen Mirren. This is certainly not a film to get your adrenalin going but "When the Whales Came" is worthy of a viewing; for the acting, the scenery and the whales.

I've often thought the British TV audience is the most privileged on earth...they get programming that would make up most of our movie award season. We can take for granted a level of excellence of performance and execution that is unmatched anywhere.

When the Whales Came is a fable, certainly...but I think the message is that we need to care for the creatures of the earth, or we will be cursed for our cruelty and exploitation...The whales here are all creatures, and the curse is only lifted when humans do the right thing to protect them.

Here we have startlingly beautiful landscapes, ecstatic music, and people that are poor and struggling for survival...Indulgence in wonder at the natural world is considered eccentric and childish - until the old man and the children show the villagers the way. We might follow as well.