A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

John Mills' daughter, Hayley, leads a sterling British cast of adults and children in this touching story about seriously confused identity.Alan Bates is a dangerous escaped criminal. Wounded and exhausted he takes shelter in the barn at the family's farm. Hayley Mills plays Cathy, a not-to-bright girl on the cusp of puberty who mistakes the criminal for Jesus Christ. It's a bit of a pose; but if you can get your head around it, the rest of the movie is a delight. Cathy has a younger brother and sister who quickly learn the secret, and pretty soon every kid in the neighbourhood knows it too - but not the grown-ups.As the story develops, we see critical elements of Biblical storyline reprised in the lives of the children. The local bully - otherwise in ignorance - forces a younger, weaker child to deny his existence three times, clearly without realising the irony of his actions.Ultimately, their secret escapes. The adults lock him in the barn and call the police. He surrenders without a fight, and whilst being frisked by officers, with his arms outstretched, his posture resembles a crucifixion from a distance, which only cements the belief more completely in Cathy's mind.This movie hails from the heyday of so-called kitchen-sink dramas. Set in the remoteness of north Yorkshire, the scenery is bleak but wonderful. The bleakness is emphasised by filming in black and white, which was almost de rigeur for kitchen-sinkers. Every detail is finely observed, with a farm yard of such cloying muddiness you can almost feel it, and a house that surely smells of fresh bread, preserves and dampness.The script, like the acting is entirely believable and natural. There are no bum roles in this movie. A vicar more spiteful than pious bellyaches about vandalism. Both he and a teacher prove unequal to the questions about life and death that the children raise. The kids themselves never put a foot wrong. A 1960's working-class Yorkshire family is very convincingly recreated, though the rural dialect has clearly been sanitised for broader audience appeal. I am tempted to say over-sanitised, because a little more authenticity might have made 'foreigners' have to think a little, but there are (or perhaps were) some great little nuances of pronunciation that wouldn't have hurt to be included, even if subtitles were needed. But perhaps that's just nit-picking.This is a movie that's as relevant today as it was then. It concerns the great divide between childhood wonder and adult cynicism. Belief, hope and misunderstanding compete with pragmatism and responsibility.All of the technical issues of lighting and editing are up to the standard and evidently modest budget. And finally, there is that haunting theme tune that lingers in your memory as much as the movie itself.Highly recommended viewing for all ages. Every generation can learn something from it.

The direction by Bryan Forbes, and the fine screenplay, help to make this poignant little story avoid sentimentality and cuteness in its presentation. The film is brilliantly realized, with wonderful performances by the children, who are all completely natural. The movie does not idealize children, but shows them honestly, in all their petty arguing and jealousy, as well as their capacity for kindness and innocent affection. SPOILERS AHEAD: There are some truly touching sequences showing the youngsters' loving, caring natures. When the little boy is devastated at the death of his pet kitten, and can't understand why Jesus didn't look after it, as the Salvation Army lady had told him, Hayley Mills as his older sister shows real concern for his grief, and tries to get the disinterested local vicar to explain it to them. When the middle sister picks up the dead kitten in the barn,and cradles it in her arms, gently saying to it " You've gone to Heaven, haven't you?", I completely broke down and wept, even though I've seen the movie dozens of times. Perhaps it's partly for the children we once were that adult viewers are moved to tears by this quietly powerful drama. The child actors are the heart and soul of this movie, with excellent support from Bernard Lee as the kindly, harried father, and Alan Bates as the hunted murderer the children believe to be Jesus. The cinematography, music, real towns and farms in the north of England used as locations, are all superb. The film has plenty of gentle humor, as well as the sad moments. It's a unique film, in my experience, and well worth seeing. I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't find it both charming and deeply affecting. Hayley Mills is absolutely radiant as Cathy, and her sister Diane Holgate and little brother Alan Barnes are equally fine. This is simply one of the best movies to come out of the English cinema in the early Sixties and a wonderful movie, period.

A charming film about the importance of Spiritualism in a cynical jaded world. Although misguided, the children's belief in JC was heartfelt and sincere, and for an atheist, it touched my soul (assuming I have one) This was juxtaposed to sour, world-weary attitude of the adults in the film, from the greedy farmhand, who's only passion was his traps, to the aunt, embittered by the fact she's forced to help bring up her children of her brother, after his wife has passed away, and of course in a clever swipe at the religious establishment, with the vicar, who doesn't really get it.The innocence and charm of the children reminded me of the original Lord of the Flies, another 60's classic, and you can't helped but be enchanted by the young characters, as they interact, often to great comic effect.There is a moral message behind a fairly straightforward story, and you can take that to heart, and analyse it at length, alternatively you can just enjoy a lovely tale of life seen through children's eyes.

I've watched this brilliant movie a few times and never get sick of seeing it. Hayley mills is a marvellous actress which we see in this film. Alan bated is a powerful actor, and his part in this film goes to show .more films should be made like this for viewing. the ending is very sad , but there was no escape for him. Hayley's dad in the film comes across a caring considerate father , looking out for his family. the little boy and his sister contributed to the performance , there face when they thought they had found Jesus in the barn was a look of astonishment. great viewing and a brilliant performance from all the cast.