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Where to stream

When the Whales Came

6.419891h 40mMovieDrama

A pair of children befriend an eccentric old man, who lives isolated on the far shore of their island home. But it turns out that the old man knows a terrible secret about the island and the whales who sometimes come. Meanwhile WWI is making life hard in the village.

DirectorClive Rees
WriterMichael Morpurgo
ProducerSimon Channing Williams

Where to watch

Not available in Australia
Streaming in 3 other countries

When the Whales Came isn't on any streaming service in Australia right now, but it's available in Guernsey, Ireland, United Kingdom. Streaming rights are licensed per country.

Cast · Directed by Clive Rees

PSPaul Scofield
Paul Scofield
The Birdman
DTDavid Threlfall
David Threlfall
Jack Jenkins
HMHelen Mirren
Helen Mirren
Clemmie Jenkins
HP
Helen Pearce
Gracie Jenkins
MR
Max Rennie
Daniel Pender
DSDavid Suchet
David Suchet
Will
JKJeremy Kemp
Jeremy Kemp
Mr. Wellbeloved
JHJohn Hallam
John Hallam
Treve Pender
BEBarbara Ewing
Barbara Ewing
Mary Pender
DFDexter Fletcher
Dexter Fletcher
Big Tim
NJNicholas Jones
Nicholas Jones
Vicar
JB
Joanna Bartholemew
Miss Tregarthen

More from Paul Scofield · Lead actor

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1965 · 5.2
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1966 · 7.3
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More from David Threlfall · Co-star actor

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More from Clive Rees · Director

Thirty-Minute Theatre
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1965 · 4.3
BBC2 Play of the Week
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1977 · 7.0
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Centre Play
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1967
Germany: A Regional Geography
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1964 · 6.0
Arnhem: The Story of an Escape
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1976 · 6.5
See all fromClive Rees

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1990 · 6.4

When the Whales Came — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams When the Whales Came?

When the Whales Came isn't on any streaming service in Australia yet, but it's available in United Kingdom, Guernsey and Ireland. Streaming rights differ by country — switch your country in the header to see where.

Is When the Whales Came on Netflix?

No, When the Whales Came is not on Netflix in Australia as of September 2026.

Is When the Whales Came on Amazon Prime Video?

No, When the Whales Came isn't on Amazon Prime Video in Australia right now.

Where can I watch When the Whales Came for free?

When the Whales Came isn't streaming in Australia yet, so there's no way to watch it free at the moment.