When the Whales Came (1989) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The islanders distrust the Birdman because he was born on the nearby island of Samson, which is whispered to be cursed. Many locals blame him for the curse that has plagued Samson, and they fear his presence will bring misfortune to Bryher. This superstition drives the village's suspicion of him throughout the story.

Foreshadowing: Early in the film, the elders warn the children about the Birdman and the forbidden bay, establishing the community's deep-rooted fear.

• Birdman
• Samson
• curse
• islanders
• distrust

The curse began when a group of narwhals were slaughtered on Samson for their valuable horns. The ship carrying those horns back to the mainland sank, taking the Birdman's father with it. A cascade of misfortune followed, including illness, failed crops, and islanders leaving, until the Birdman's hearing was taken by the continuing curse. The narwhals returning signals the curse's potential return.

Foreshadowing: The Birdman recounts how narwhals were slaughtered on Samson when he was a boy, linking the creatures to the island's suffering.

• narwhals
• Samson
• curse
• horns
• slaughter

The Birdman uses lanterns to signal ships away from the dangerous rocks around Samson, attempting to prevent them from running aground. The villagers mistakenly believe he is signaling to enemy ships during the war, which leads to his cottage being burned. In reality, he has been trying to protect the island from the curse and keep ships safe.

Foreshadowing: On stormy nights, the Birdman can be seen crossing to Samson and signaling with lanterns out at sea, a practice the villagers view with suspicion.

• lanterns
• signals
• ships
• rocks
• warning

Daniel's older brother and other local boys burn the Birdman's cottage because they believe he is signaling to enemy German ships during World War I. Their fear and wartime paranoia lead them to suspect the deaf hermit of being a traitor. The truth about his protective signals remains hidden at this point in the story.

Foreshadowing: With the war underway and tensions high, the villagers' suspicion of the Birdman escalates after the children's visit to Samson brings renewed fear of the curse.

• cottage
• burned
• war
• villagers
• signaling

Gracie's father, Jack Jenkins, enlists in the Navy at the start of the war and is initially reported lost at sea and presumed dead. However, at the film's end, a naval boat arrives with Jack found alive. The exact circumstances of his survival are not detailed, but his return coincides with the lifting of the curse and the community's celebration.

Foreshadowing: A telegram announces Jack's death, causing great grief for Clemmie and Gracie, yet the story leaves open the possibility of his survival.

• Jack
• Navy
• lost at sea
• return
• rescue

After the islanders unite to save the whales and the truth about Samson is revealed, Daniel leaves the Birdman watching the sea. When Daniel returns the next morning, the Birdman is gone and never seen again. The film leaves his fate ambiguous, whether he died, left the island, or simply vanished is never confirmed.

Foreshadowing: The Birdman's disappearance is foreshadowed by his mysterious nature and the curse's lifting, suggesting his purpose on Bryher may be complete.

• Birdman
• disappeared
• gone
• end
• fate

Gracie and Daniel sail out in foul weather to help their families survive during the war. A thick fog disorients them, and they unintentionally land on Samson, the forbidden cursed island. There they discover the dry well, the graves of old islanders, and a narwhal horn, uncovering the buried history of the curse.

Foreshadowing: Their parents warn them about the dangers of sailing alone, especially in bad weather, making their journey both reckless and fateful.

• Samson
• fog
• landing
• discovery
• well

When Daniel sails to Samson after the crisis, he discovers the well is full again and plants have started to grow. This signals that the curse has truly lifted and the land is being restored. It represents renewal and the return of life to the cursed island following the community's collective action to save the whales.

Foreshadowing: The dry well was discovered by the children during their accidental landing, symbolizing the death and desolation caused by the curse.

• well
• Samson
• refill
• plants
• curse lifted

After a great storm, a narwhal becomes beached near Bryher. When the children and the Birdman fail to push it back to sea, more narwhals gather in the bay. The Birdman senses the Samson curse will rise again unless they intervene. The gathering represents the curse's attempt to return and the need for the community to act.

Foreshadowing: The discovery of the narwhal horn on Samson earlier hints at the creatures' deep connection to the curse and the island's fate.

• narwhals
• beached
• bay
• gathering
• curse

Mr. Woodcock reveals the true history of Samson and the narwhal slaughter, clearing the Birdman's name. Inspired by this revelation, the islanders unite to guide the whales back into the sea, resisting the slaughter that originally caused the curse. Their collective action and rejection of superstition restore balance and lift the curse.

Foreshadowing: The community's unity and willingness to help the Birdman contrast with their earlier fear and violence, making the resolution feel earned.

• curse
• lifted
• villagers
• united
• whales