‘The whistling on the theme tune? That’s Dickie Attenborough!’ Hayley Mills on Whistle Down the Wind
The Guardian • • entertainment
Key Points:
- "Whistle Down the Wind," originally a novel by Mary Hayley Bell, tells the story of three children who find a man in their barn and believe he is Jesus, leading them to protect him from adults.
- The film adaptation was directed by Bryan Forbes, who took over last minute despite having no prior directing experience, and was filmed in Lancashire with mostly local children as cast members.
- Hayley Mills, who played Kathy Bostock, shared insights about the filming experience, including the cold conditions, the authentic performances encouraged by Forbes, and the memorable cinematography and music.
- Diane Poole, who played Nan Bostock, recalled her unexpected casting, the naturalistic approach to filming, and her pride in key scenes, highlighting the supportive atmosphere on set.
- A new 35mm print of the film will be screened at BFI Southbank on 4 September, accompanied by a Q&A with cast members, and a BFI Film Classic book about the film is set to be published on 3 September.
