The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)
The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently The Spirit of the Beehive is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Criterion Channel
Streaming in:🇺🇸 United States
This Movie Is About.
Cast & Crew.
Fernando Fernán Gómez
Fernando
Teresa Gimpera
Teresa
Ana Torrent
Ana
Isabel Tellería
Isabel
Ketty de la Cámara
Milagros, la criada
Estanis González
Guardia civil
José Villasante
Frankenstein
Juan Margallo
Fugitivo
Laly Soldevila
Doña Lucía
Miguel Picazo
Doctor
Víctor Erice
Director
Jaime Chávarri
Art Direction
Ángel Fernández Santos
Writer
Adolfo Cofiño
Set Decoration
Elías Querejeta
Producer
Francisco J. Querejeta
Screenplay
Media.
Details.
Release DateOctober 8, 1973
Original NameEl espíritu de la colmena
StatusReleased
Running Time1h 39m
Filming LocationsMadrid, Spain
Genres
Last updated:
Wiki.
The Spirit of the Beehive (Spanish: El espíritu de la colmena) is a 1973 Spanish drama film directed and co-written by Víctor Erice. The film was Erice's feature directorial debut and is considered a masterpiece of Spanish cinema. The film focuses on a young girl named Ana and her fascination with the 1931 American horror film Frankenstein and also explores her family life and schooling.
Many have noted the symbolism present throughout the film, as an artistic choice, and a way Erice avoided the censors. Despite censors in Spain, which was under the Franco regime at the time of its making and release, the film still manages to symbolically portray Spanish life under Franco's rule. And while censors were alarmed by some of the film's suggestive content about the authoritarian regime, they allowed it to be released in Spain, based on its success abroad, and the assumption that most of the public would have no real interest in seeing "a slow-paced, thinly-plotted and 'arty' picture."The film has been called a "bewitching portrait of a child's haunted inner life".