Victor Erice's debut film received great attention both in Spain and internationally for its lyrical portrait of the mysteries of childhood. Originally conceived as an intellectual version of Frankenstein, it instead became a poetic depiction of a turbulent time. The film opens with a travelling cinema showing James Whale's *Frankenstein*, an experience that makes a strong impression on children, especially the scene where the monster meets a little girl. In the censored Spanish version, the act of death is omitted, making the plot even more enigmatic. Sisters Ana and Isabel discuss this, and Isabel argues that no one dies on film - they are all spirits that can be summoned.

In a home characterised by parents traumatised by the Spanish Civil War, the two girls create their own reality, and Ana invokes the spirit of the monster from the film. As the most natural thing in the world, she accepts that the deserted soldier hiding on the outskirts of the village is this spirit, but adult reality is catching up with the innocent fantasy world the two girls have created. The strength of the film is how these two worlds gradually merge into one in Ana's mind, as a transition into the world of the adults, but that this is a world with as many myths and mysteries as the innocent fantasy landscapes of childhood. 

The lighting, photography and editing in the film emphasise Ana's subjective perception of reality and evoke a kind of alternative universe that takes us back to how we saw the world as children. Beauty and innocence are squeezed from all sides by a reality where death is an intrusive reality, but something that must be accepted in order to join the ranks of adults.

Just say like the village crier: ‘It's the most beautiful film in the world, it's fantastic, olé’.

Running time: 1h 37m (97 minutes)

Spanish speech, English subtitles

Age limit: 15 years