The Devil's Backbone
Twelve-year-old Carlos (Fernando Tielve) is the latest arrival at Santa Lucia School, an imposing stone building that shelters orphans of the Republican militia and politicians during the last days of the Spanish Civil War. Carlos gradually uncovers the dark ties that bind the inhabitants of the school: hidden riches, sexual intrigue and the restless ghost of a murdered student, who may be the only one to provide resolution.
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I loved everything about this movie, great story, great actors, especially the child actors. This movie has subtitles, but to be honest I think a viewer could easily follow this story without reading the subtitles just by watching the faces, especially the eyes, of the actors and following the action. This is a great mystery movie, it's a ghost story, but also a love story and a story that stays with you long after the movie is over. The visuals and soundtrack are just stunning. I'm sorry but I just don't feel I am doing this movie justice with this review, just take my word for it, a wonderful movie, move it to the top of your Q!- AT 609574
Wow, I am certainly going against the grain on this film. I found it to be an average movie. Period! There really wasn't anything that can't be seen in any other 'scary' movie. Maybe the allure is that it is a foreign film. Sorry guys, I just cannot find anything to rave about. :(
- Bil
The Devil's Backbone is a film by Guillermo del Toro, who also directed Blade II and Hellboy. But before his thrust into big-budget Hollywood productions, del Toro made a few lesser known Spanish horror movies. Del Toro himself admits that The Devil's Backbone is his favorite of his own works, and with good reason. Although I know almost nothing of the Spanish civil war in the late 1930s, during which the movie is set, it seems as if the film is laden with metaphors and parallel imagery. Even the orphanage itself seems to be representative of the political climate of the time, with characters deceiving one another and stopping at nothing to aid their cause or personal benefit. But, while the war serves as a backdrop, The Devil's Backbone is a ghost story. It focuses on several children in an orphanage and the ghost that haunts them. The ghost chooses a newcomer to communicate with, and the children set out to understand who the ghost is and what he wants. While The Devil's Backbone was never scary, it had a few creepy moments. Del Toro directs movies like he's writing a novel and painting a picture simultaneously. He seems to have a natural film-making ability. He can draw a viewer into a simple story with his perfectly composed shots, subtle but real characters, and wonderful use of colors. In my opinion, del Toro is one of Hollywood's future big names and I think he has a very successful future ahead of him. If you've enjoyed del Toro's work in the past or you're looking for a decent ghost story, The Devil's Backbone is worth renting. The story isn't extremely original or groundbreaking, but it's a solid, well-made film.
- eclapham
If you liked Pan's Labyrinth, you'll like this one even though it's not quite as effective. As in Pan's Labyrinth, del Toro uses tales of fantasy and the supernatural to confront the violence of the real world and the impact it can have on children. Set in the Spanish Civil War, del Toro continues his tradition of mixing politics, war, horror and fantasy to create a fascinating yet disturbing tale that sears the human soul. It scares you by making you afraid of what you conjure up in your own mind, not by what might jump out from behind a door.
- Frank W