The Whales of August is a 1987 American drama film directed by Lindsay Anderson and adapted by David Berry from his play of the same name.

It stars Bette Davis and Lillian Gish, the latter in her final film appearance,[3] as elderly sisters living on the Maine coast.

They reflect on the passage of time, and the bitterness, jealousies and misunderstandings that slowly festered over the years and kept them from establishing a true closeness in their relationship.

Tisha is a vivacious lifelong friend who provides common sense, fun and laughter, and is the catalyst for some of the sisters' conversations and revelations.

The film's producer, Mike Kaplan, saw the play performed by the Trinity Repertory Company while he was visiting Rhode Island on family business.

Kaplan, who had met Gish many years earlier when he was a publicist involved in The Comedians (1967), decided immediately that the role of Sarah Webber was a role that would introduce new generations of filmgoers to the great talent of the "First Lady of American Film", who had begun her film career 75 years earlier, in 1912.

Many screen greats were approached to play a role but demurred because they suffered from various infirmities, including Shirley Booth, Barbara Stanwyck, Fred Astaire and Paul Henreid.

Other greats turned down the producers' overtures for other reasons, including Joel McCrea, Frances Dee, Katharine Hepburn and John Gielgud.

Gielgud initially accepted the role and even attended early rehearsals but was replaced by Vincent Price before filming began.

This film marks a reunion between Davis and Price after 48 years, having last appeared on screen together in The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex in 1939.

Davis demanded top billing on the picture, of which Gish said, "Oh dear, I just can't deal with that sort of thing.

"[6] However, Gish admitted she actually had little trouble hearing her cues, but invented a subtle version of the silent treatment due to Davis's mistreatment of her.