Name: A Whale for the Killing
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family, TV Movie
Released: 1981-02-01
Duration: 2 h 25 min
Cast: Peter Strauss, Dee Wallace, Kathryn Walker, Bruce McGill, Ken James

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Not for laughs, scares or comfort.

Movies with

Story

Nature betrayed it. Whalers wanted it. And a whole town is ready to kill it.

A conservationst, stranded with his family at a Newfoundland coastal resort, flies in the face of custom and fights an entire community to prevent a trapped whale's slaughter with only the support of his wife and one of the locals.

Feels like

Environmental Drama
Moral Conflict
Community vs. Individual
Animal Rights
Newfoundland Setting
Intense Struggle
Human Nature
Thought-Provoking
Emotional
Determined Protagonist

Cast

8 of 8

Crew

Directed by: Richard T. Heffron
Written by: Lionel Chetwynd
Produced by: Robert Lovenheim
Music by: Basil Poledouris

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Facts

February 1, 1981 · 2 h 25 min · NR

Released: February 1, 1981
Runtime: 2 h 25 min
Age rating: NR
Content: Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family, TV Movie
Original language: English
Made in: United States
Keywords: based on novel or book

Q&A

3 questions, like "Is A Whale for the Killing worth watching?"

Questions about A Whale for the Killing

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is A Whale for the Killing worth watching?

67

GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 67 (IMDb 6.4).

Is A Whale for the Killing okay for kids?

NRViolenceDisturbing imagery

Yes: it's rated NR in the United States for violence and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Is A Whale for the Killing plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (7 of 10) and pathos (7 of 10) more than on its plot.