This year it has been fifteen years since the film When the Whales Came was released to cinema audiences.
The movie was filmed on the islands using people on the islands as actors and actresses, cooks, accommodation, transporters, cleaners and extras. Scilly News takes a look at when the islands took a trip to Hollywood!
Why the Whales Came was written by Children’s Laureate and Scilly fan Michael Morpurgo. The story is set on the island of Bryher and follows the friendship of Gracie and Daniel. Back in 1988 film crews descended on the islands. Films stars such as Helen Mirren (Calendar Girls, Prime Suspect) and Dexter Fletcher (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) were flown in to play islanders. But it wasn’t just celebrities that got parts in the film. Helen Pearce, from Bryher, was chosen to play the part of Gracie alongside Max Rennie. Steven Dan, Kerra Spowet and Blue Phillpot also landed big roles in the motion picture.
Trainers and tracksuits were cast aside as children and adults were chosen as extras and were dressed in period clothing.
The film was released in early 1989 and the Town Hall was turned into a temporary cinema so that islanders could see the finished result.
Helen Pearce got to appear on shows like ‘Wogan? to promote the film.
Here are some of the reviews that can be found on the web:
‘A beautiful film.? Helen, Iowa
‘I have been searching for a copy of this film since I saw it on television. A lovely film and the whales are beautiful.? Katie, London