Movie spotlight
The Holy Innocents
In 60s Extremadura, Paco el Bajo and his relatives work during day in a farmhouse, and silently suffer submission to their masters, who exploit them and treat them almost like animals. Meanwhile, Paco dreams that one day his children will be able to study.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young British girl named June is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in rural England after her parents are killed in World War II. She finds herself in a strange household with eccentric relatives and discovers secrets about her family. As she navigates this new world, she experiences isolation and the challenges of growing up amidst wartime uncertainty.
Critical Reception
The Holy Innocents received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics praised its atmospheric portrayal of childhood during wartime and the performances of its cast, others found its pacing slow and its narrative somewhat disjointed. Audience reception was similarly divided, with some appreciating its poignant themes and others finding it too bleak.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its atmospheric direction and sensitive portrayal of a child's perspective.
Some found the film's narrative structure and pacing to be uneven.
The performances, particularly from the young lead, were often highlighted as a strong point.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for 'The Holy Innocents' (1984) is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film is based on the 1961 novel 'The Go-Between' by L.P. Hartley, though the title and some plot elements were changed for this adaptation.
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