Spirit Of The Beehive (aka El Espiritu De La Colmena) (1973)
Made under the Franco regime, Victor Erice's astonishing 1973 feature debut is quite simply one of the most remarkable, influential and purely poignant films to emerge from the 1970's. A bona-fide classic of European cinema, the film brought Erice instant and widespread acclaim.
An audacious critique of the disastrous legacy of the Spanish Civil War, The Spirit of the Beehive is set in a rural 1940's Spanish village haunted by betrayal and regret. Following a travelling cinema's screening of James Whale's Frankenstein, seven year-old Ana (the mesmerising Ana Torrent, later to grow into an international star of some standing) becomes fascinated with Boris Karloff's monster. Obsessed with meeting the initially gentle creation, she transfers her entrancement to tending a wounded army deserter.
Atmospherically rendered by legendary Director of Photography Luis Cuadrado, it's impeccably performed by both Torrent and veteran actor Fernando Fernan Gomez in the role of her emotionally scarred, bee-keeping father. Existing in a highly evocative dreamlike state, it's a powerfully symbolic, richly allegorical tale that is as unique as it is beautiful.
Classification: Parental Guidance - general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children
Starring: Ana Torrent, Fernando Fernan Gomez, Teresa Gimpera, Isabel Tellera
Director: Víctor Erice
Spirit Of The Beehive (aka El Espiritu De La Colmena)
 
Genres:
Drama

Run Time:
97 Minutes

Subtitles:
English

Languages:
Spanish

Countries:
Spain

BFI Classification:
Parental Guidance - general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

Release Date:
13/10/2003

Production Year:
1973

Aspect Ratio:
Full Frame 4:3

Colour:
Colour

Special Features:
  • Trailer
  • Stills gallery
  • Trailer reel
  • Interactive menu
  • Scene access
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