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Whistle Down the Wind

Play trailer Poster for Whistle Down the Wind 1962 1h 39m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
After a confusing exchange with a strange man (Alan Bates) they find hiding in their family barn, Kathy Bostock (Hayley Mills) and her young siblings jump to the conclusion that the man -- in reality an escaped killer -- is none other than Jesus Christ. Excitement erupts as word spreads among the children in their small farming community in northwest England. Adult skepticism abounds, until their father (Bernard Lee) catches wind of the tale and begins to investigate.

Critics Reviews

View All (12) Critics Reviews
Ed Potton Times (UK) There's a memorable tension between the suggestibility of the children and the forbidding countryside... Rated: 4/5 Oct 1, 2021 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Rated: 4/5 Jun 12, 2003 Full Review Penelope Gilliatt Observer (UK) All the convincing mud in the world cannot make the story seem anything but synthetically pretty. Mar 6, 2024 Full Review Alistair Lawrence Common Sense Media There's a laudable lack of cynicism or labored metaphors in Whistle Down the Wind, told mainly from the perspective of three siblings who come to understand with differing degrees of certainty that the world is not all they've been taught. Jun 14, 2023 Full Review Janet Graves Photoplay Thanks mostly to Hayley and other delightful youngsters, there are some touching moments in this strange and whimsical yarn. Nov 17, 2020 Full Review MFB Critics Monthly Film Bulletin Bryan Forbes, directing for the first time, reveals a painstaking, often incisive talent for behaviour rather than a marked personal style. Mar 3, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mark T I'm now in my 60s. I saw this film in elementary school. It haunted my thoughts for years. I had forgotten "introducing Alan Bates". It's a wonderful story, things aren't always what they seem. And children will listen deeper than most realize. A beautiful simple movie on many levels, trust, redemption, humanity and beliefs, that leaves one thinking. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/31/24 Full Review Christina B Still gives me goosebumps. This film really captured something special Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/16/24 Full Review AT P The film was made in 1962, 4 years before I was born. And I got to see it in 1970 when I was 4 years old, on a TV. I was stricken. I felt every emotion and was taken on a journey I've never experienced since. When they arrested Jesus, I was inconsolable. I bawled like when my dog died. It took my mother hours to bring me out of it. I think I recovered better when Mam's time was stolen by my lovely attention-seeking younger brother. I was affected by that and have seen it since (but on second viewing, I realised my Mam was right, they didn't arrest Jesus); this created other emotions but I can say this was the first one of only 4 films which have brought me to real tears. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/03/24 Full Review Audience Member A lovely film of simpler times. A genuinely very original plot and some excellent acting by the children. I loved it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Classic film in almost every respect. My only slight niggle is the film score is sometimes grating. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member A wonderful reflection of the power, and sadly, the disappointment, that faith can bring. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Whistle Down the Wind

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Whistle Down the Wind

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Movie Info

Synopsis After a confusing exchange with a strange man (Alan Bates) they find hiding in their family barn, Kathy Bostock (Hayley Mills) and her young siblings jump to the conclusion that the man -- in reality an escaped killer -- is none other than Jesus Christ. Excitement erupts as word spreads among the children in their small farming community in northwest England. Adult skepticism abounds, until their father (Bernard Lee) catches wind of the tale and begins to investigate.
Director
Bryan Forbes
Producer
Richard Attenborough
Screenwriter
Keith Waterhouse, Willis Hall, Mary Hayley Bell
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 39m