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The Spirit of the Beehive (2006): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Spirit of the Beehive (2006) movie poster

The Spirit of the Beehive is a 2006 drama directed by Víctor Erice, starring Fernando Fernán Gómez, Teresa Gimpera and Ana Torrent. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes. Critics gave it 87 on Metacritic.

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The Spirit of the Beehive (2006) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
Víctor Erice
Genre
Drama
Original language
Spanish
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Spirit of the Beehive About?

The premise of The Spirit of the Beehive without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a small village in post-Civil War Spain, two young sisters are captivated by a film they see at a traveling cinema. One of the girls, believing the film’s imagery to be real, sets out on a journey to find the monster she saw on screen. Her quest becomes a poignant exploration of childhood imagination, loss, and the lingering trauma of the Francoist era, as she seeks connection and understanding amidst a landscape still marked by conflict.

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Cast & crew

The Spirit of the Beehive Cast

Fernando Fernán Gómez leads the cast, with Teresa Gimpera and Ana Torrent. Directed by Víctor Erice.

From the director

More from Víctor Erice

More films directed by Víctor Erice, best-rated first: Dream of Light, Close Your Eyes, Centro Histórico and Broken Windows.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Spirit of the Beehive Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Spirit of the Beehive 87 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Spirit of the Beehive Plot Summary

What happens in The Spirit of the Beehive from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Six-year-old Ana is a reserved child living in a secluded manor within a Spanish village located on the Castilian plateau, alongside her parents, Fernando Fernán Gómez and Teresa Gimpera, as well as her older sister, Isabel. The story unfolds in 1940, shortly after the civil war concludes with the Francoist forces overcoming the Republicans. Ana’s father, engrossed in beekeeping and documenting his observations, often neglects the emotional needs of his family, while her much younger mother becomes lost in fantasies about a distant love, frequently penning letters to him.

Full summary

The whole story of The Spirit of the Beehive, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Spirit of the Beehive?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  10. Question 10: not answered

Who are Ana's parents in the film?

Cars

Cars in The Spirit of the Beehive

16 cars on screen, including the 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray C2 and the 1992 Ford F-150.

All 16 cars
  • 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray C2 in The Spirit of the Beehive 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray C2 Important role
  • 1992 Ford F-150 in The Spirit of the Beehive 1992 Ford F-150 Important role
  • 2005 Newmar Kountry Star in The Spirit of the Beehive 2005 Newmar Kountry Star Important role
  • 1980 BMW 528i E12 in The Spirit of the Beehive 1980 BMW 528i E12 Minor role

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FAQ

The Spirit of the Beehive FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Spirit of the Beehive, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Spirit of the Beehive?

The Spirit of the Beehive runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was The Spirit of the Beehive released?

The Spirit of the Beehive was released on January 27, 2006.

Who directed The Spirit of the Beehive?

The Spirit of the Beehive was directed by Víctor Erice.

More films by Víctor Erice

Who is in the cast of The Spirit of the Beehive?

The Spirit of the Beehive stars Fernando Fernán Gómez, Teresa Gimpera and Ana Torrent.

How is The Spirit of the Beehive rated?

The Spirit of the Beehive has 87 on Metacritic.

Does The Spirit of the Beehive have a post-credit scene?

No. The Spirit of the Beehive has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Spirit of the Beehive in?

The original language of The Spirit of the Beehive is Spanish.

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