Whistle Down the Wind (1962)

So much average

Good movie but grossly overrated

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

"Whistle Down the Wind" is a lovely, moving film about the simple faith of children.A murderer on the run (Alan Bates) is found in a barn by some children, who come to believe the fugitive is Jesus Christ. This is all because the Bates' character, surprised by the kids, exclaims "Jesus Christ!", unaware that the children have asked him who he is.The unfailing conviction of the children is a beautiful thing to watch. The adults are all cynical. The parents are suspicious. At one point, the children seek out advice from a priest, who is but a blubbering fool. The kids soon realize that he knows nothing.It's a very simple story told extremely well. This may be one of the young Hayley Mills' best performances. Her unwavering belief in her Jesus drives the story.The end of the film finds the Bates' character hauled away by the police. But this only strengthens the children's belief that he was Jesus. This film is never "preachy". There are some fine comic moments. In one scene, the children beg "Jesus" to read to them, and Bates starts reading from a pulp magazine from the period, a soap opera about a certain "airline hostess". The children listen intently, but they wanted to hear biblical stories all the same.The film honestly answers the question: "What would happen if Jesus came back?" He'd be jailed, possibly crucified all over again.The boy playing Hayley Mill's younger brother is the only one who's faith is shaken at the end. When "Jesus" fails to save the boy's dying cat, the young man comes to realize that the Bates' character is not Jesus. "He's just a fella", says the boy, sounding like Judas Iscariot.The soundtrack features a very simple lovely childhood tune, which becomes an anthem to the children's simple belief.This is a rarely seen film and it seems as if it's been all but forgotten. Not a flashy movie by any means. I'm thinking how wonderful the Deborah Kerr film "The Innocents" is. I don't know if these movies are discarded simply because of future generations that refuse to watch black and white films. But I consider "Whistle Down the Wind", along with "The Innocents" a real treasure of British cinema.

The direction by Bryan Forbes, and the fine screenplay, help to make this poignant little story avoid sentimentality and cuteness in its presentation. The film is brilliantly realized, with wonderful performances by the children, who are all completely natural. The movie does not idealize children, but shows them honestly, in all their petty arguing and jealousy, as well as their capacity for kindness and innocent affection. SPOILERS AHEAD: There are some truly touching sequences showing the youngsters' loving, caring natures. When the little boy is devastated at the death of his pet kitten, and can't understand why Jesus didn't look after it, as the Salvation Army lady had told him, Hayley Mills as his older sister shows real concern for his grief, and tries to get the disinterested local vicar to explain it to them. When the middle sister picks up the dead kitten in the barn,and cradles it in her arms, gently saying to it " You've gone to Heaven, haven't you?", I completely broke down and wept, even though I've seen the movie dozens of times. Perhaps it's partly for the children we once were that adult viewers are moved to tears by this quietly powerful drama. The child actors are the heart and soul of this movie, with excellent support from Bernard Lee as the kindly, harried father, and Alan Bates as the hunted murderer the children believe to be Jesus. The cinematography, music, real towns and farms in the north of England used as locations, are all superb. The film has plenty of gentle humor, as well as the sad moments. It's a unique film, in my experience, and well worth seeing. I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't find it both charming and deeply affecting. Hayley Mills is absolutely radiant as Cathy, and her sister Diane Holgate and little brother Alan Barnes are equally fine. This is simply one of the best movies to come out of the English cinema in the early Sixties and a wonderful movie, period.

I love this film and it can move me to tears. When Hayley Mills and her siblings (all of them yet to reach their teens) discover a man hiding in their family's barn, they jump to the wrong conclusion and think they have stumbled upon Jesus' second coming. This is their secret and we are drawn into their world, in which adults are the enemy (after all, look what they did when Jesus last called...) and innocence rules. Of course, the story is highly allegorical and some of it is rather heavy-handed - the betrayal as the distant train whistle/cockerel crow is heard and the final 'crucifixion' scenes spring to mind, but overall it is a delightful 'little' film. I challenge anyone with childhood memories not to choke a little when the hundreds of local children come charging to the farm at the end. Marvellous all the way, this film - made just up the road from where I live - is a mini-classic, just what British film-makers of the period did best.

A truly beautiful, beautiful film. I'm in my 30's and would describe myself as an emerging film buff. I've seen all the classics, past and present, and have to say this really is up there as one of my favourites. Filmed nearly 45 years ago, set in the wonderful Lancashire moors, around the town of Burnley, England. This film will do nothing other than warm your heart. The innocence of the lead characters coupled with the respect shown in a bye-gone day, gives you that sentimental feeling, embossed with a sense of pride . I'll spare you the details of what you may watch, but give it a go, and imagine times nearly 5 decades ago, with a simple but interesting plot, and enjoy!