When The Whales Came :
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL
Wednesday, 12 May 2004 & running times throughout May 21.00
Reviewed by Jacqueline
Opening scenes of a woman and child in a boat one evening. An elderly narrator talks, "mother said if they killed the whales the island would be cursed, but no-one would believe her, then came the hunger and disease, families had to leave, mother swore she would never go, the well ran dry and they had to leave. The curse drove them off Samson and it was 70 years ago, and it is with us still".
A fantastic and intriguing start!
The story then turns to a young boy and girl playing with a small boat at sea. We learn that the young lad is Daniel who loves playing his mouth organ, making boats and having fun exploring nature with his friend Gracie. Unfortunately Daniel's father has other ideas - he has a bad temper and forces the young lad to do chores instead of having fun.
Despite having a bullying father Daniel and Gracie make friends with a elderly deaf man, Charlie Woodcock, (known by the Islanders as the birdman). The Islanders are wary of him and warn their children to stay away from him. Daniel and Gracie ignore their views. Their new friend seems to be fun. He helps them escape from the grumpy adults and everyday dull life on Samson. He encourages Daniel to carve birds from nature. A good role model for Daniel and one that perhaps he wishes his father was more like.
The Islanders live on the tiny Bryher off the British coast. They struggle to make ends meet: scavenging and fishing are the only industries - it is a bleak time. The film can be dark and moody and focuses on a time of scarcity and hardship during World War I. Gracie's father Jack goes off to fight in the war and leaves his wife to fish and bring up the family.
I thought that it was great that two children could escape from the reality of life and disappear into their own world. Unfortunately their world is not rock solid and reality catches up with them. Their fun stops and the story unfolds. The young ones find that they are caught up in a situation where the dark shady past of Samson comes back to haunt the villagers of Bryher.
Birdman tells how 70 years ago the villagers slaughtered a group of beached whales. This causes much conflict with the Islanders and there are many decisions to be made. You will just have to watch to find out what happens. Without giving the plot away, thought it was a great ending when birdman disappears "free at last", his mission is completed and he can lay at rest in peace.
The script was excellent! The young actors Daniel, (Max Rennie) and Gracie, (Helen Pearce), were great in their roles and I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful uplifting music. To me this was a family film and I would have liked to see an earlier time slot allocated as it centred on two youngsters.
Credits
DIRECTOR: Clive Rees PRODUCER: Simon Channing Williams SCREENPLAY: Michael Morpurgo MUSIC: Composed by Christopher Gunning Cast
Helen Mirren, (Clemmie Jenkins) David Threlfall, (Jack Jenkins) Helen Pearce, (Gracie Jenkins) Paul Scofield, (Mr Woodcock - The Birdman) Fergus Rees, (Birdman as a boy) David Suchet, (Will) Daniel Pender, (Max Rennie) Jeremy Kemp, (Mr Wellbeloved)
[INDEX] [INTRO] [REVIEWS] [LINKS] [CULTURE] [MAGAZINE] [GUESTVIEW]