L'île aux baleines

When the Whales Came, based upon Michael Morpurgo's charming story, is a beautiful well-meaning film, that I do think is worthy of a lot more praise than it is given. The cinematography and scenery were gorgeous, and so was the enchanting music score. The part when the villagers drive the Narwhal into the sea was such a poignant moment. The script was fine and so was the direction and the acting. The two children are believable, and Helen Mirren and David Suchet, two exceptional actors give fine support. Though the real kudos have to go to Paul Scofield, who was fantastic, and to Jeremy Kemp as Mr Wellbeloved, who wasn't only warm and loving towards the children, but it was also an altogether sensitive portrayal. My only minor complaint with the movie was the pace, it was a tad slow, but overall this film is beautiful. 9/10 Bethany Cox

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.

I found this film a decent watch. The pace is a little slow in parts and towards the end, it has a darker tone to it and becomes somewhat thought provoking, due to what comes to light. It made me think about the consequences of things that people end up involved in - there's definitely a strong element of social morality and conscience. There's an allegorical side to it, with the film set on a seemingly somewhat idyllic island, when there are some less than lovely things going on. Nothing awful - just a bit grim and we learn about peoples recollections of history and the like. I liked that it had, ultimately, a sense of optimism - something we could do with more of, frankly.

From a film perspective, I enjoyed seeing Helen Mirren in a film from the late 80s (which this is). I hadn't seen her in many roles from over 2 decades ago - thats why I decided to watch this film. The music isn't too 'in your face' I'd say, its perhaps a little over sentimentalised maybe, but only just - it certainly didn't put me off the film to any large extent. It also pushes home the optimistic elements of the story, which was nice. Overall I'd say its worth a watch.

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.

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.