I'm looking for an old youth movie. Can you help me?

Dear people,

 

I have a question and am wondering if you can help me.

 

I'm looking for a movie from my childhood. The film is probably from the period between 1975 and 1980. I think it was a feature film. Of course I know very little. I'll try to explain as best I can what the movie is about.

 

It takes place in the Middle Ages or, for example, in the 1920s/30s. Unfortunately I don't know that anymore. But in my memory I mainly see old houses and streets. I remember the beginning of the movie quite well. It's about a boy with an older brother. The boy is sick and will die. I think his brother explains that after his death he will come back as a pigeon/bird. At some point, their house is on fire. His brother takes him on his shoulders and jumps out of the house with him from about 4 stories high. The brother will not survive this, the boy will. So the brother is dead earlier. A while later there is suddenly a pigeon (or other bird) in his window: That is of course his brother.

 

The boy later dies due to his illness. After death he meets his brother again and then they experience a whole adventure in the 'other world'.

 

And that's where my memory stops... I suspect the film was in English. But that's really a gamble!

 

I've been thinking about this movie for years. And I just can't seem to find it. I think the chances are slim, but I'm just trying: Do you know what movie this is?

I don't know if you know, but I'm very grateful in advance for your support!

 

With kind regards,

Niels Beerbaum