I began watching this Mexican horror film, a thriller set in a girl's school, with some excitement since I had read nothing but praise for it. Now that it is over, I do not see what all the fuss is about. Perhaps one has to see Hasta el Viento Tiene Miedo young, before watching many horror movies. Otherwise, it is just not an especially memorable horror movie.
The first problem is the film's slow pace. The first forty-five or fifty minutes is all set up. It's a lot of wind blowing, cats jumping out, and "did you see that strange girl" type discussions. All of this becomes tedious after awhile. The film does not produce any surprises or action until its final third. By that time, many viewers have given up.
A second problem is the tameness of the whole film. I do realize that a ghost story is built upon mood and atmosphere rather than shock scenes, but, really, this is a horror film for one's grandmother. I find the film's scares all old hat for 1968. That was the year of Night of the Living Dead, the year of Targets, the year of Naked You Die, a much better school girl mystery.
Hasta el Viento Tiene Miedo does have a few surprises. The film takes an unexpected turn in the final third. The striptease scene is colorful and sexy in a PG way. There is also some nice interaction between the girls. Despite these pluses, the film is not worth the time. The movie is further ill served by a flat ending. Those interested in seeing a late 1960's mystery set at a girl's school would be better off checking out Naked You Die or The House that Screamed from 1969.
The first problem is the film's slow pace. The first forty-five or fifty minutes is all set up. It's a lot of wind blowing, cats jumping out, and "did you see that strange girl" type discussions. All of this becomes tedious after awhile. The film does not produce any surprises or action until its final third. By that time, many viewers have given up.
A second problem is the tameness of the whole film. I do realize that a ghost story is built upon mood and atmosphere rather than shock scenes, but, really, this is a horror film for one's grandmother. I find the film's scares all old hat for 1968. That was the year of Night of the Living Dead, the year of Targets, the year of Naked You Die, a much better school girl mystery.
Hasta el Viento Tiene Miedo does have a few surprises. The film takes an unexpected turn in the final third. The striptease scene is colorful and sexy in a PG way. There is also some nice interaction between the girls. Despite these pluses, the film is not worth the time. The movie is further ill served by a flat ending. Those interested in seeing a late 1960's mystery set at a girl's school would be better off checking out Naked You Die or The House that Screamed from 1969.