Drama · Fantasy
Spanish (El espíritu de la colmena)
1973 · Directed by Víctor Erice · 98 min
In 1940, in a village on the Castilian plain, a travelling cinema brings James Whale's Frankenstein to the local hall. A young girl, Ana, is gripped by what she sees and by her older sister's claim about the monster. A quiet, dreamlike film about a child's imagination in a silent household.
Why it matters in cinema history
A defining film of the Spanish art cinema that grew up inside the late Franco years, and a key reference for later films that see political history through children.
Watch with intention
Watch it as a film about how a child sees, where what she imagines carries as much weight as what the adults say.
Save this film, rate it and keep your notes.
Free, no ads. Your journal, your lists, a Cine Guide that remembers you.
Create your free space
