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Projecting the Archive

Whistle Down the Wind

+ Q&A with actors Hayley Mills, Diane Poole and Alan Barnes

Hayley Mills stars in this this warmly humorous exploration of the secret world of children, set against a bleak northern winter.

  • Director

    Bryan Forbes

  • With

    Hayley Mills, Alan Bates, Diane Holgate, Alan Barnes

  • UK 1961. 99min

  • 35mm

  • Certificate

    PG

  • A BFI National Archive print

When a stranger appears in their barn, three siblings care for him in the belief that he’s Jesus returned to Earth. Forbes shot his directorial debut on location in rural Lancashire with a cast of local children, who give performances of astonishing wit and candour. A film about childhood that avoids sentimentality, it has enchanted audiences across the generations.

Brand new 35mm print made in 2026 by the BFI National Archive at Haghefilm, Netherlands. The soundtrack was scanned by the BFI National Archive and restored by Molinare, London. Restoration supported by Simon and Harley Hessel.

See other films in the Projecting the Archive programme celebrating Bryan Forbes at 100.

See New Writings: Whistle Down the Wind with Dr Josephine Botting.

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