Whistle Down the Wind

SebastianX4.0

72%At first Bryan Forbes' low-key drama seems to be trying to find itself, however some positive flashes add a strange excitement. It's sad because it's a fake mirror, that's not distributed as a light tale, and that was the idea. but the kindness of the children adds a bit of charm. The adaptation of Mary Hayley Bell's novel reaches its climax in its final moments, even without shaking our hearts too much, of course it could have had another fate. it could have been tragic, it could have caused twists and turns, its end result leaves marks, cuts hearts. but it doesn't change path, it just firms the faces full of innocence in its subconscious, and withdraws without explanation.

pirateneckbeard4.0

This showcases the sincerity of children believing in the construction of lies that adults create to "protect" the youth from the problems of an ill marked society only to bring the chickadees home to roost with a false narrative of there beliefs and judgement of there deifying this stranger who is no saint but shows the jaded nature of humanity in a beautiful light without being heavy handed and very poignant of social values and religious beliefs. Smartly fashioned with having kids being the focal point and having jaded adults pushing subjection to this crime that is unmentioned and the kindness of the criminal when shown grace that even he knows is not worthy. Really it gives us a bitter taste in the mouth for our penitentiary structure not reforming just condemning people with shame. I do have to say that this walks a delicate balance but it makes a remarkable impact. So glad I caught up with this. Should be more revered. Plus It just looks fantastic.

loureviews5.0

"I said yeah. You'll hear about me again."I gave this just shy of a five star score last time, but now I can't find any fault with this film. Fourteen-year-old Hayley Mills is absolutely superb as the girl who thinks she has discovered Jesus living in her barn, and Alan Bates (in his first starring role) matches her scene for scene as the convict whose desperation, fatigue and confusion leads him to play the part she has created for him.The joy of this film is the simple allegory about Christianity and the evolution of the young girl who finds herself attached to the mysterious man, and the huge group of children who become his followers. Filmed in Clitheroe and Burnley in Lancashire, largely using local children, this showcases the performance of young Alan Barnes as Charlie, who brings an innocent and deadpan humour to the situation.Magical, moving, and just as relevant to an audience of adults as it is to children (I first saw it aged about eight, and I'm watching it now more than thirty years later), this is one of Brian Forbes' best films, beautifully directed and photographed.This is a film which gives back more with each viewing. Quite simply one of the perfect examples of British cinema of the 1960s.