An interesting if somewhat soporific film school 'classic', there is much to quietly appreciate in this debut feature from Victor Erice. Essentially a collage of symbolism, the film follows a Francoist Spanish family living in post civil war 1940, and in particular youngest daughter Ana.

Ana (and her elder sister) watch James Whale's "Frankenstein" and she is effected somewhat profoundly, and her imagination leads us about her world. The cinematography is bleak and compelling, and the Fathers beehives add an interesting level of symbolism and style as emotions and lives are slowly drip fed to the audience.

All told an enriching, slowly wrought piece of cinema leaving you with plenty to mull over.