MovieChat Forums > Whistle Down the Wind (1961) Discussion > Favorite Part?

Favorite Part?

posted 18 years ago by irenegugg15
19 replies | jump to latest

I just saw this movie last night after wanting to see it for such a long time. I love Alan Bates, and Hayley Mills is extraordinary in this movie! The kids who played her brother and sister were amazing too. It was so well cast!

My favorite part was the scene where the young boy came across his sisters in the barn as they were visiting the fugitive. After Nancy reminds her siblings not to tell a soul, they all run out of the barn and the camera has a wide shot of the three children dancing among the trees in the distance to an upbeat, lively version of "We Three Kings."

That scene always brings such joy to my heart. Their happiness in finding Jesus and being lucky enough to have him choose their barn.

Great great great film.

[–] just-joe-1 18 years ago

When the little boy says... "he aint Jesus, he's just a fella!"at the birthday party. Classic!

[–] boardjeff 18 years ago

The shot of Alan Bates, captured. Stood, arms outstretched. The reference to the crucifiction of Jesus.Although not a religious man, this scene ALWAYS brings tears to my eyes. Beautiful.

[–] momonuget 17 years ago

I like when the kids are hiding the cake from Auntie Dorothy under the table and the boy puts it on her lap...

[–] Tony-166 16 years ago

I love every second of this film, but the scene at the end which references the crucifiction gets me too. Every single time.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] ruthindenbigh 17 years ago

I don't have a favourite part. It was ALL wonderful!

[–] iwan_williams 17 years ago

The scene between Hayley Mills' character Kathy and the vicar was very memorable, I mean the way he avoids her probing questions about Christ and goes on to discuss various trivial matters such as the vandalism of the church building, as he probably hasn't got any real answers for her. Hayley Mills conveys her despondancy at his futile reply very effectively.

I have visited the film's location several times, where incidentally the BBC drama "Born and Bred" was also filmed. It's still completely unspoilt despite its popularity with visitors, and long may this continue!

[–] guitarnoise65 16 years ago

This has been my favorite film since I first stumbled upon it in the early 90's. Every scene is a favorite: the one that always comes to mind first is the playground scene when Kathy stands her ground. Taunted and slapped by the bully, with tears in her eyes she stares him down, her steadfast faith bringing him to shame.

~~"Oh shut up, you two. And listen, you're not to say nowt."~~

[–] jeuk 16 years ago

Right at the end, when everyone had just about cleared away, two little girls came hand in hand onto the scene!"Has He gone?", inquired the older one! "Yes, you've missed him this time!", replied Kathy."Oh", they turned and wandered back,like the only two kids who'd jusy missed Christmas! Heart wrenching, even for this rough tough cowboy!

[–] humanophobia 15 years ago

My favorite part is towards the end when Alan Bates is in the barn surrounded and Hayley Mills goes up to the little window and has one last conversation with him. Especially when he sinks down to the ground and says "You bet" when she asks if they'll be seeing him again.

[–] AssetsonFire 15 years ago

"Cup final." Haha!

I thought the acting all round was excellent, but Bates in particular. I liked the way he wasn't sentimentalised or made a hero. His guarded, laconic presence reflected this.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] roamingbrit 14 years ago

All the scenes mentioned on this thread are great.

"He's not Jesus, he's just a fella!" is a great line but the way it is said, in an almost flippant and frivolous way in that northern accent, gives it extra edge.

[–] Errington_92 13 years ago

A scene that stands out for me is when the local children visit the Fugitive and ask him to tell a story. Instead of reading a story from the Bible, he reads an article from a magazine. To us as adults the scene shows the Fugitive to be the opposite of Jesus, he would preach moral tales while the Fugitive reads a magazine article in order to keep the children quiet. Although it is obvious to us, the children are still in awe of the Fugitive as he reads them the article. This clearly highlights the naivety of childhood which is shown through out the film.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

[–] dengelke 12 years ago

Razzatron, good reading of the film.

Going off that, I also enjoyed the fact the Fugitive never denies being Jesus. At the beginning until the wanted poster is shown, we, like the children, have a small bit of hope that the Fugitive may actually be Jesus.

Forbes is really brilliant. I didn't think he could do better than 'The L-Shaped Room', but 'Whistle' was fantastic!

Brilliant flick.

"Everyman is an island? I'd like to think I'm more of an archipelago."

[–] pimp4u 12 years ago

I liked every scene with Hayley Mills in it. She was such a charming little girl. There has been no one like her since.

[–] dolemite72 12 years ago

Charles "What are we doing...are we playing with Jackie Greenwood?"

Kathy "One of us might be...Two of us aren't"

Charles "You rotten cows...what are you doing?"

Nan "Ask no questions, get no lies told"

Charles "You rotten cows, you're nothing else"

(CHARLES GETS A CLIP ROUND THE EAR FROM HIS MOTHER FOR SWEARING)

Charles "It's always me, I always get it..........Well I'm off to hide then....and NO following!"

Nan "We don't want to follow you"

Charles "Well you better not then"

(CHARLES LOOKS BOTH WAYS, TO CHECK THAT MOTHER ISN'T AROUND)

Charles "Rotten cows"

[–] andeven 10 years ago

Agreed. The scene is priceless but it's his aunt. His mother is dead.