Namu, the Killer Whale

After fishermen off the coast of Washington state slay a killer whale, the dead animal's mate founders in the coastal waters. Marine biologist Hank Donner (Robert Lansing) finds the surviving whale and forges a bond with the animal while documenting his scientific observations. Though some believe killer whales are vicious, local woman Kate Rand (Lee Meriwether) and her young daughter, Lisa (Robin Mattson), warm to Hank's new pal, even as fishermen state their plans to kill the whale.