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Spirit of the Beehive
Spirit of the Beehive
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Spirit of the Beehive

Spirit of the Beehive

1973
Drama, Fantasy
1h 38m
Set in rural Spain in 1940, Victor Erice's acclaimed 1973 film was simultaneously a sensitive evocation of the poignancy of childhood and, by implication, an elegy for the legacy of the Civil War. (Film Forum)

Directed by:

Victor Erice

Screenwriter:

Victor Erice, Ángel Fernández Santos

Starring:

Fernando Fernán Gómez, Teresa Gimpera, Ana Torrent, Isabel Tellería, Laly Soldevila, Miguel Picazo, Juan Margallo, Ketty de la Cámara, Estanis González, José Villasante

Genres:

Drama, Fantasy

AKA:

El espíritu de la colmena

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish
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Spirit of the Beehive

1973
Drama, Fantasy
1h 38m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 73.29% from 1256 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 26 Feb 2007
90
94th
Beautifully photographed, gently paced, and refuses to hold the viewer's hand through a simple A-B-C narrative. I know nothing about the Spanish civil war and so the political metaphors flew over my head. But it'll give me something to keep an eye on the next time I watch it, and there will be a next time because I loved it. Very gorgeous and evocative with a number of scenes that linger in my memory, and also a truly lovely score.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
dumptruk4lifDumptruk4Lif
Rated 15 Jan 2013
60
12th
This was booooooooooring. You guys are fucking with me, right? Yeah it may be your opinion and I'm supposed to respect that occasionally, but sometimes things don't even fall in the lines of subjectivity. This had nothing going on for 90 minutes. It never went anywhere, it never made me feel anything other than boredom, I just watched these monotone faces staring at fire or bees or trains, I don't care. This was the only time watching a movie where I felt like I was raped of my time.
Rated 15 Jan 2013
torontodogtorontodog
Rated 20 Feb 2008
90
94th
Visually stunning. A study of the very nature of childhood, family and imagination. But is it Frankenstein's monster or Francisco Franco's monster that appears in this film? There are hidden criticisms about Spain's dictatorship that I only figured out when reading about the movie after I'd seen it. Tough to make sense of this if you don't know what you're about to see.
Rated 20 Feb 2008
paxtonPaxton
Rated 17 Dec 2020
70
65th
I need to give it another chance but, geesh, I liked Frankenstein too. Don't have to make a movie about it.
Rated 17 Dec 2020
kahKAH
Rated 27 Jun 2009
4
93rd
An enigmatic and intimate film that explores two children's confrontation with the real world, and the realization of their own mortality and existence. This is shown, thankfully not told, through beautiful and fantasy-like imagery. A low-keyed and heartfelt vision, this is truly a unique masterpiece.
Rated 27 Jun 2009
psixaospsiXaos
Rated 20 Aug 2007
100
99th
Mesmerizingly beautiful! This has that pure 'spirit' like that of a child's big eyes, by which the story is told through. Luis Cuadrado's haunting cinematography is paired with Victor Erice's lucid direction to create one of the most transcendent experiences in cinema...
Rated 20 Aug 2007
briareBriare
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
Watching this film is detaching oneself from reality, and just letting Ana Torrent and the Spanish countryside take you on a little bit of a journey. The little girl tells the story through the reflection in her big brown eyes- we sympathize with her every move, and as the movie begins to take on an almost Frankenstein-like aura itself, I was left awed as the credits began to role and beyond, as I was entangled in silence, I had to let my breath come back and wonder... what had I just seen? One
Rated 14 Aug 2007
burmashaveburmashave
Rated 19 Jun 2015
99
99th
there's a scene in this film where the protagonist is walking alongside a wall and the plants in the garden cast a shadow on the wall, it reminds me of my childhood, me walking in the hallways of of my grandma's house, almost a mansion to me, and being terrorized by the shadows cast by the samambaias. all of this film reminds me of this, of my childhood fears, the monsters, the mythology, the fascination. here the tragedy is engulfed by the child fantasies, which makes them even scarier
Rated 19 Jun 2015
aflickeringAFlickering
Rated 18 May 2015
5
73rd
offers a perfect argument for the formative influence of striking images, capturing the way they can subtly alter our psychological states, particularly as children. it also suggests that cinema possesses a profound capacity to use such images to illuminate the mysterious forces underlying existence, and in that respect it becomes its own best example. a remarkable film; tender, humane, characterised by mesmerising elliptical rhythms, devastating imagery and flawless rustic compositions.
Rated 18 May 2015
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 13 Apr 2018
9
90th
Cinema as a transformative experience and the sometimes haunting impression it leaves behind. Childhood as a state of untarnished innocence, corrupted by the onset of the adult world. At least that's what I take away from it after my initial viewing, though I can't help but think there's much more to discover under the surface.
Rated 13 Apr 2018
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 22 Feb 2015
7
92nd
a mysterious and elusive film, one which presents a world at the collision of the reality of nature and the artifice of cinema, a world which encourages an endless stream of childlike fascination and exploration, but in which those very same qualities provide a constant threat of danger. didn't really care about the heavily symbolic allegory.
Rated 22 Feb 2015
kasperlKasperL
Rated 05 Nov 2012
85
94th
The children are fantastic. Ana Torrent carries the film so beautifully. 'The Spirit of the Beehive' is a movie where much seems to be going on underneath the surface but on my first-time watch I was completely engrossed with (and fully satisfied by) experiencing Erice's - or that is, Ana's - world. His shot compositions and attention to cuts are exemplary.
Rated 05 Nov 2012
zayankZayanK
Rated 15 Aug 2011
93
91st
It's like Pan's Labyrinth without all the blah-blah.
Rated 15 Aug 2011
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 17 Jun 2010
4
70th
Subtle, beautiful, elegiac and very touching. I'll also cop to being completely ignorant of the political allegory (I imagine most viewers outside of Spain would be) but it's hardly necessary to enjoy this. It's a beautiful evocation of childhood curiosity and wonderment and features two of the best child performances you'll ever see, along with some gorgeous photography and a fantastic score.
Rated 17 Jun 2010
djrossdjross
Rated 02 Jun 2010
80
92nd
Evocative, mysterious, atmospheric, and complex symbolic political allegory, but also a beautiful and penetrating investigation of the universe of childhood.
Rated 02 Jun 2010
theficionadotheficionado
Rated 17 Dec 2008
100
97th
A subtler, elegaic Pan's Labyrinth, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Rated 17 Dec 2008
adrianadrian
Rated 18 Dec 2007
90
97th
A great film to see after watching Pan's Labyrinth. It explores similar themes, is set in Spain in 1940 after the Civil War, and features wonderful child performances and unforgettable imagery. This film is slower, subtler, more enigmatic. The elegiac aftermath of the brutality of Pan's Labyrinth.
Rated 18 Dec 2007
elmakebabielmakebabi
Rated 28 Apr 2013
65
50th
I don't agree with most of people out there. The same idea / story would turn into a masterpiece in someone else's hands. Erice's manner makes this film profoundly mediocre!
Rated 28 Apr 2013
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 10 Jun 2024
83
83rd
Frankenstein --> Bride of Frankenstein --> The Spirit of the Beehive. The TRUE Frankenstein trilogy.
Rated 10 Jun 2024
timon88Timon88
Rated 07 Dec 2023
83
87th
Somewhat enigmatic, especially if you're not up on your Spanish Civil War metaphors. Ana Torrent is extraordinary - it's easy to understand why Carlos Saura insisted on having her for Cría Cuervos after seeing this. Not having lived through the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath, I can't begin to imagine its effect on the artistic psyche. But this--and Carlos Saura's movies--offers some strong hints.
Rated 07 Dec 2023
honeybHoneyB
Rated 07 Feb 2021
95
98th
Loss of innocence on a grand scale seen through the eyes of an innocent little girl.
Rated 07 Feb 2021
lintonmyroxylintonmyroxy
Rated 14 Dec 2020
84
45th
"The important thing is that your daughter is alive, ALIVE!". I thought both of the main characters were boys for the first 30 minutes. I found some moments truly unsettling. The sound design and freeze frame when the last kid jumped over the fire creeped me out for some reason
Rated 14 Dec 2020
nobambanobamba
Rated 27 Apr 2020
50
46th
It's beautiful and I don't know enough historical context to really appreciate the film. I spent most of it being anxious that something bad would happen to the kids. Fav scene: creepy human anatomy figure.
Rated 27 Apr 2020
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 12 Oct 2019
60
36th
This is a "moody" film: it's meant to evoke that spirit of childhood and sense of amazement as children learn about their surroundings. Unfortunately, there's no plot, and the characters are all pretty hollow. There's a fair amount of symbolism (and my knowledge of the Spanish Civil War hampers me here) and it's quite beautiful in spots. It just didn't click with me, and I don't remember much that made me want to revisit it to see what I was missing.
Rated 12 Oct 2019
yiannosYiannos
Rated 05 Sep 2017
85
97th
S.O.T.B is an extraordinary film that operates on numerous levels: as a poetic rumination on childhood, as a critique of Franco era Spain, and as a desolate portrait of a nation in stasis. Erice's landscapes resonate with sadness and longing, expressing the quiet resignation and defeat of the Spanish people under the grip of tyranny. The beautiful honey colored imagery channels the Dutch masters, richly evoking a bygone era in warm earth tones, while the symbolism is both opaque and obvious.
Rated 05 Sep 2017
dardandardan
Rated 14 Sep 2015
93
96th
Presence through abscence. The core of this film is a dismembered silence: that which would lead to censorship has been censored, and yet this silence speaks. The deep sense of lacking connection pervading each cell or family, even within the family itself, combined with the desolation both descriptive of the town and the mental states carried by the children, but also the fragility, are all torrenting in the undercurrent.
Rated 14 Sep 2015
ratedarghratedargh
Rated 12 Aug 2015
95
92nd
This is how you tell a great story with next to no exposition. There's no wasting time with explaining every little thing. It's gorgeous to boot. But the kids rule the day. Ana and Isabel are fascinating and really well played. Clearly an influence on Guillermo del Toro, but a lot more understated than his bombastic ways.
Rated 12 Aug 2015
staryarabbistaryarabbi
Rated 24 Jun 2015
85
88th
This has the attention and attitude of a child who explores the world, hence it narrates Ana's experience of understanding the "evil" in the embodiment of Frankenstein. "Frankenstein" is so significant because it stands for the modern man who is "invented" by modernity, similarly her brother is a victim of modernity who died in the Civil War. This film has a unique quality of its own poetry and metaphysics, so political by being too apolitical. Ana's disappearance remind me of "Satantango"s girl
Rated 24 Jun 2015
uhrmacherUhrmacher
Rated 19 Jun 2015
77
15th
Didn't especially enjoy or connect with this one. It's an extremely slow and fairly fantastical story built around two young girls. To describe it in a sentence, it felt like a less enjoyable version of Stalker.
Rated 19 Jun 2015
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 12 Mar 2014
95
93rd
Frankenstein, Are You There? It's Me, Margaret.
Rated 12 Mar 2014
rufamRufam
Rated 22 Feb 2014
75
72nd
Flowing calmly at its own leisurely pace, "El espíritu de la colmena" is a quiet, gorgeously put-together enigma of a film about curious, wonder-filled children peeking at the violent core of human existence. Shot simply but effectively and featuring a wonderful score and one of the finest child performances in cinema (the starry-eyed Ana Torrent), Erice's film occasionally stagnates in its own poetic stasis but remains mesmerizing and inquisition-worthy all the same.
Rated 22 Feb 2014
vauthVauth
Rated 23 Mar 2013
88
80th
Very well directed whereby almost every scene strikes a great balance of poetry and pacing, managing to evoke a great range of emotions in the audience. Cinematography is excellent with some really evocative shots and the chemistry between the actors are brilliantly real and charming, bringing life to a bleak physical and spiritual environment the film portrays. The portrayal of childhood's innocence and curiosity is enough to win me over without the politics of Spain at that time. Brilliant.
Rated 23 Mar 2013
yesistastyyesistasty
Rated 18 Jan 2013
94
85th
Beautiful looking film. Two themes jump out to me: the naturalistic depiction of time's inexorable passage, and the ways in which art and reality inform each other, creating layers of dialogue and meaning between the creative and the natural realms.
Rated 18 Jan 2013
huahHuah
Rated 05 Jun 2012
97
96th
There's very few films that come close to evoking such profound sentiments of youthful curiosity and dread as this chef-d'oeuvre. Every scene of the film is pure visceral magic, every second titillates an unseen specter of ubiquitous mystery, every shot a rendition of timeless Baroque pieces of hand-painted art. The political undertones are almost ignorable when being so entranced by the beauty of the film, although they ought to be taken into account. Bask in an interval of silence when Fini.
Rated 05 Jun 2012
jangobJangoB
Rated 03 Sep 2011
76
60th
Although it is essentially a critique of Spanish post-war social situation, for me it was mostly a piece about the effect films have on their viewers. Perhaps it wasn't the main theme of the picture (it's certainly not "Peeping Tom"), but that was something that really stood out for me. I was impressed with Erice's depiction of children - the two girls are not afraid of their surroundings after watching "Frankenstein", instead they become more fascinated with the mysterious world around them.
Rated 03 Sep 2011
redfalconRed_Falcon_
Rated 20 May 2011
65
25th
This film in being a extremely subtle allegory of the Spanish Civil War offers no touchstone for those of us who do not know much about this period and most of the symbolism went right by me.What I got out of this was a well crafted film with two good performances from the girls, some nice cinematography and a story that I really did not find all that interesting mostly because I did not get said symbolism.
Rated 20 May 2011
chacronChacron
Rated 04 Jul 2009
70
40th
I had seen this film mentioned in several articles, comparing it to my absolute favourite film Pan's Labyrinth , suffice to say that I expected much from this film. After watching it I couldn't help feeling somewhat dissapointed. Storytelling takes a back seat, with the film being primarily dominated by vague symbolism, which, to be frank went right over my head. Perhaps If I understood the spanish civil warin more detail I'd appreciate the allegoric aspect of it more. Solid, but dissapointing.
Rated 04 Jul 2009
eldred08Eldred08
Rated 16 Jan 2009
95
92nd
The life of the characters is cold, authentic, beautiful, sad and always lonely and incommunicable , like the Spanish reality of the 40's ... There are some good aspects of the childhood that you can't see at nowadays, and I liked very much seeing this... Nostalgic, beautiful, sweet and bitter... Distinction for Ana Torrent and her big, curious and fascinating eyes...
Rated 16 Jan 2009
dooooooleydooooooley
Rated 14 Oct 2008
85
57th
a little too much stasis for me but i am amazed at how much the visual design tells the story with so little dialogue. So much left unanswered yet still manages to fill my belly. very abstract.
Rated 14 Oct 2008
whatismynamewhatismyname
Rated 27 Sep 2008
75
88th
I watched this film without having any knowledge of what it was about, and feel that is the best way to experience it.
Rated 27 Sep 2008
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 28 Apr 2008
80
76th
A heartfelt exploration of a child's innocence and self-created world of fantasy, in where abstract mysteries and feelings, dreams and passions are just as important as the resolute things in life. The director, Erice, is giving alot of himself in this film, I think. Spirit of the Beehive feels so intimate and personal in it's tranquil dive into the uknown, from a little child's perspective.
Rated 28 Apr 2008
willofgaiawillofgaia
Rated 11 Jun 2007
80
43rd
Paced well and very atmospheric, but it just never made much of a connection with me.
Rated 11 Jun 2007
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 22 Oct 2023
80
81st
Fernando: "If you're not sure a mushroom's good, don't pick it. Because if it's bad, and you eat it, it's your last mushroom and your last everything too."
Rated 22 Oct 2023
voneverecvoneverec
Rated 12 Mar 2023
30
3rd
aslında film bana değerlendirecek bir veri vermediği için -çünkü filmin içine hiç giremedim o yüzden ne bir şey düşündürttü ne bir şey hissettirdi- puanlamak istemem bunu ama filmlerime eklemek için puan vermem zorunlu olduğundan ve izlerken sıkıldığım için bu puan.
Rated 12 Mar 2023
hotsakehotsake
Rated 22 Feb 2023
67
67th
This was not very interesting but it was never boring. The acting is decent and naturalistic but very minimal. This is one of those films that you have to connect with to get anything out of it, unfortunately for me, there was nothing here that I was able to connect with.
Rated 22 Feb 2023
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 24 Jul 2022
95
97th
Breathtaking. Pan's Labyrinth is one of my favorite movies and this was a major influence on it, so it's no surprise that I absolutely loved this as well. Absolutely perfect score and Ana Torrent gives perhaps the best child performance I've ever seen, certainly of her age. Perhaps the movie that best captures the feeling of mystery and possibility with the world that you have when you're a child. I found myself remembering all kinds of "adventures" I had forgotten from when I was six or seven.
Rated 24 Jul 2022
bownBown
Rated 04 Apr 2022
86
79th
Very good as both political allegory and fairytale-esque story of childhood, with excellent photography and probably the best performance from a young child ever.
Rated 04 Apr 2022
ab_i_hayaAb-ı Haya
Rated 12 Mar 2022
89
96th
04.17 Hobbit
Rated 12 Mar 2022
adiljunadiljun
Rated 07 Aug 2021
94
99th
Pure cinema pure beauty
Rated 07 Aug 2021
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
92
92nd
9??????????????????
Rated 06 Aug 2021
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 22 Jun 2021
76
75th
I liked how the kids were realistic as kids. It looks very beautiful and it has a lot of stuff happening beneath the surface. A lot is achieved by sounds and imagery alone and I get why this inspired stuff like Pan's Labyrinth.
Rated 22 Jun 2021
calexicoCalexico
Rated 27 Feb 2021
70
36th
Creepy, evocative, a bit boring
Rated 27 Feb 2021
larsvontrierLarsVonTrier
Rated 03 Feb 2021
4
93rd
You want to know from where Del Toro got his -heavy- inspiration for Pan's Labyrinth? Here.
Rated 03 Feb 2021
feublofeublo
Rated 19 Feb 2020
90
90th
The curiosity that childhood is so heavily shaped by, leaves us with this magical tale of innocence and morality. Ana, sheltered by the village and family morale, seeks with bright eyes the unnecessary evil done to mankind. It's wrong-doing, reforms her to a gentle, kind-hearted spirit that offers the comfort of time outside her beehive.
Rated 19 Feb 2020
shitbangerShitbanger
Rated 16 Jun 2019
90
89th
The definition of foreshadowing and conclusion .
Rated 16 Jun 2019
peyrinpeyrin
Rated 11 Jan 2019
65
42nd
The muted colors on this are stunning.
Rated 11 Jan 2019
picklemanPickle_Man
Rated 11 Mar 2018
100
94th
Wow. This is gorgeous.
Rated 11 Mar 2018
gokseltuzungokseltuzun
Rated 21 Dec 2017
92
78th
kemk oda
Rated 21 Dec 2017
le_mamile mami
Rated 25 Nov 2015
70
66th
rewatch
Rated 25 Nov 2015
iqcumberiqcumber
Rated 06 Nov 2015
60
29th
Beautifully shot and performed, but I found myself bored and restless watching this movie. Took three sittings to get through it.
Rated 06 Nov 2015
thereeldealthereeldeal
Rated 24 Aug 2015
75
65th
The Spirit of the Beehive is a charming drama of the day to day life of a Spanish family following the Civil War in the 40s. Ana, a 6 year-old and the younger of two children, is forced to confront fear, loneliness, and sadness for the first time. The film shows the shy girl's reactions nearly exclusively visually, and through these we see the power and confusion of a child's erratic imagination. Though bittersweet, love persists in the face of loss, yet I feel the emotional punch is buried.
Rated 24 Aug 2015
isaboojumisaboojum
Rated 13 Oct 2014
4
87th
I'm sure I've missed some historical context, but it was haunting all the same.
Rated 13 Oct 2014
qwershadyqwershady
Rated 22 May 2014
73
47th
kid was sweet and playing that kinda role makes her more sweet
Rated 22 May 2014
actionbergActionberg
Rated 10 Jan 2014
90
92nd
The historical context weighs heavily on the film's conscience but is hardly necessary to understand in order to appreciate the warm, breathtaking cinematography, the understated performances, or the ethereal locations. The little girl is amazingly passionate, the James Whale homage fits perfectly into the overall themes of conflict and ideological desolation, and in the midst of it all is this esoteric motif of bees and honeycombs that makes the film truly unique and memorable.
Rated 10 Jan 2014
dougiedDougieD
Rated 30 Nov 2013
95
91st
A prime example of the power of visual storytelling. This story of a child's obsession with frankenstein's monster after a viewing of the classic horror film is told by showing and not telling, with little dialogue and haunting photography. It captures the emotion and feelings of childhood and how the movies can impact our lives.
Rated 30 Nov 2013
bulltBullt
Rated 25 Oct 2013
79
70th
After reading Esoteric deconstruction of this...
Rated 25 Oct 2013
icarusIcarus
Rated 12 Apr 2013
90
89th
Atmospheric and evocative. I love films with children that are able to avoid rank and easy sentimentality. This film draws us into their world in a way that brings us to empathize and enter into their circumstances.
Rated 12 Apr 2013
addisondewitAddisondeWit
Rated 08 Mar 2013
100
99th
It blow me away. Although It was a long time ago, I need a rewatch.
Rated 08 Mar 2013
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 16 Nov 2012
88
80th
Gorgeous to look at. Mastery of tone. Incredible child acting.
Rated 16 Nov 2012
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 05 Sep 2012
45
9th
isapnyol ic savasi, kasabaya gelen sinema, frankenstein, okul, maketle egitim, mantar toplamak, iki kiz kardes, aricilik, atesten atlamak, kacak adam (siyasi suclu olabilir), kayip kiz (köyü terk eden kiz), aranan kiz, uzun planlar, sade konu, sembolik anlatim, agir ilerleyen film, sari tonlari, (kasabaya gelen frankenstein filmini anlayan küzük kiz, ablasindan frankensteinin neden öldürdügünü ve öldügünü ögrenmek ister. Frankenstein'i bulmaya calisir.)
Rated 05 Sep 2012
payenspayens
Rated 05 Sep 2012
86
82nd
Gorgeous cinematography! I didn't get the political allegories, but it doesn't matter: the beauty of the movie stands by itself.
Rated 05 Sep 2012
glmglm
Rated 22 May 2012
93
97th
92.500
Rated 22 May 2012
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 26 Feb 2012
91
92nd
An amazing, if puzzling film. It uses the story of Frankenstein and the experiences of Ana, a small girl, to speak of the isolationism inherent under Franco's rule in Spain. Brilliant and touching. How does a child undermine a fascist state?
Rated 26 Feb 2012
greftragreftra
Rated 13 Feb 2012
10
93rd
Whispery, childlike.
Rated 13 Feb 2012
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
89
78th
#226
Rated 30 Nov 2011
sebbysebby
Rated 03 Nov 2011
85
96th
Blindingly beautiful film loaded to the gills with affective symbolism. Love it.
Rated 03 Nov 2011
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 20 Jul 2011
80
64th
20 Temmuz 2011, anna'nin tavsiyesi & ispanya ic savasini ufak bir cocugun gozunden basari ile ortaya koyan bir film. senaryonun kurulusu ve kameranin sakinligi cok basarili. filmin rengi de hem sembolik olarak hem atmosferik olarak filmi tamamliyor. ama yine de filmle aramdaki icsel baglantinin eksik oldugunu hissediyorum. duygusu bana gecmedi. bu nedenle benim acimdan bir basyapit degil.
Rated 20 Jul 2011
nobletNoblet
Rated 26 May 2011
89
92nd
Wonderful film. An excellent depiction of life in post-civil war Spain. The music and photography really are key in establishing the unique feel and mood that makes this film especially brilliant. The acting is great in an understated way, and the two children are particularly effective.
Rated 26 May 2011
closefriendCloseFriend
Rated 25 May 2011
87
86th
At first this felt like Just Another Period Piece until about a quarter of the way in I realized I genuinely cared about and worried for the characters and could feel my pulse rising and falling along with their predicaments. Isabel and Ana are two of the cutest kids in film history. Erice uses honeycomb windows and train tracks to create some mind-blowing cinematography.
Rated 25 May 2011
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 24 Apr 2011
100
99th
Just fantastic.
Rated 24 Apr 2011
x_humanx-human
Rated 05 Feb 2011
85
87th
Captures that childlike wonder and logic which all to often escape other film's depictions of childhood. A haunting yet warmhearted look into a child's first steps into the real world.
Rated 05 Feb 2011
giturragiturra
Rated 18 Dec 2010
95
76th
great sparse and poetic movie from one of the unsung masters of spanish cinema: victor Erice. Along with El sur, they may easily be the best spanish movies of the last 30 years. A movie that mixes, childhood, Franco's atrocities and frankenstein in such an unexpected yet touching way. Its symbolism is not of the hermetic kind, but it works in a very understated fashion, so by the end of the movie, there's a palpable sense of melancholy. An obsure little seen masterpiece.
Rated 18 Dec 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 24 Oct 2010
30
78th
"Every magic hour, light-drenched image in Victor Erice's Spirit of the Beehive is filled with mysterious dread." - Dan Callahan
Rated 24 Oct 2010
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 08 Mar 2010
5
93rd
Some say this is an intensely political allegory, but that was lost on me as I watched it. Reading about it in hindsight, it only serves to make this film even richer than I'd already comprehended. Instead I was focused on its youthful sensibilities. Once convinced by the subtle pace, I was spellbound by its evocation of adolescent wonder and imagination, conveyed through two great performances and brilliant cinematography. Fortunately it remains unsentimental throughout.
Rated 08 Mar 2010
enthusiastEnthusiast
Rated 26 Feb 2010
80
82nd
Beautifully meditative, and perfectly captures the wide-eyed astonishment of childhood -- of both the gleeful and the terrifying variety -- in a way that is endearing and original and never cloyingly sentimental. I doubt I'll feel the need to watch it again, but I could see myself being mildly haunted by some of these images.
Rated 26 Feb 2010
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 13 Jan 2010
90
80th
204
Rated 13 Jan 2010
seryxaSeryxa
Rated 04 Dec 2009
75
82nd
Sensitive story of childish imagination, reminiscent of _Jeux Interdits_ and yet very much its own vision.
Rated 04 Dec 2009
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 10 May 2009
83
93rd
Nice Movie
Rated 10 May 2009
keithbreesekeithbreese
Rated 28 Feb 2009
100
97th
"...filmmaking art of the highest caliber."
Rated 28 Feb 2009
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
90
80th
194
Rated 19 Dec 2008
jebJeb
Rated 01 Sep 2008
95
87th
I now understand why my kumpels love this so much. Great photography, it's gorgeous and there's a score that will blow you away. Run, don't walk, and get this film.
Rated 01 Sep 2008
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 15 Jul 2008
63
60th
Gets draggy but still a nice piece of cinema told through the eyes of children, has some mystique to it. I couldn't care less if it's a political allegory.
Rated 15 Jul 2008
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 19 May 2008
5
54th
Slow, naturalistic pacing, great atmosphere and some incredible photography, it seems like something I would love, and yet, it never clicked with me. Maybe I need to understand the Civil War to get the allegory, but nothing is compelling me do so and rewatch this.
Rated 19 May 2008
tonydaltonydal
Rated 22 Mar 2008
60
21st
Awfully symbolic and Meaningful. But the two little girls are very good--as indeed is the whole cast.
Rated 22 Mar 2008
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 01 Mar 2008
89
82nd
# 211
Rated 01 Mar 2008
amerigoamerigo
Rated 24 Dec 2007
78
53rd
The film tries to be too subtle, instead it ends up hollow, cold, and emotionless. Acting performances are similarly blank-faced and vacant. The visuals are beautiful, but that is all that the film has going for it.
Rated 24 Dec 2007
stainStain
Rated 26 Aug 2007
0
8th
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Rated 26 Aug 2007
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 28 Jul 2007
82
67th
Really beautiful.
Rated 28 Jul 2007

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