Devil's Backbone [DVD]

Sometimes it is a genuine joy to see a good old fashioned genre done so well that it takes your breath away, and so I am proud to present for your consideration The Devils Backbone, as effective and full blooded a ghost story as you are ever likely to see.Written and directed by Guillermo Del Toro, the mastermind behind such fantastic pieces of cinema as Cronos and Pans Labyrinth, as well as the slightly disappointing super-hero movies Blade 2 and Hellboy (hey, even the best of us can make a mistake), the film centres around Carlos (Fernando Tielve). The year is 1939 and the Spanish Civil War is coming to its bloody end. Carlos is brought to an isolated orphanage by his tutor and guardian where he is left, unaware that his father, a Republican, has been slain in the war. Carlos accepts his fate, but life is anything but simple for him, in spite of the presence of the kindly Dr Casares (Federico Luppi), as young Carlos must contend with bullying from some of the other boys and the attentions of the sadistic caretaker Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega). But these tribulations are as nothing when Carlos becomes the focus of attention for a ghost that haunts the orphanage, the ghost of a fellow orphan Santi, who disappeared (or died) in mysterious circumstances, and appears to Carlos to warn him that "many will die". As the war closes in on the orphanage and much of Santi's warning comes to pass, the orphans must band together to fight the real evil that threatens them.This is both a superb ghost story, a riveting drama and a coming of age tale all rolled into one, and the isolated location of the orphanage coupled with the impending threat of violence, from the war, from the bullies, from Jacinto or from the ghostly warnings of Santi, give the film an almost unbearable sense of tension and dread. And when true horror is visited upon the orphanage and the boys must band together, the film becomes a morality tale as well as a study of what people are capable of in the most dire of circumstances (shades of Lord of the Flies methinks).The film is never less than beautiful to look at, and Del Toro uses an economy of direction, avoiding showy special effects and letting the story do all the work for him, pulling a series of superb performances from his cast, in particular Federico Luppi as Dr Casares, a kind and dignified man who promises never to abandon the boys, and remains true to his word throughout the film, and Eduardo Noriega as Jacinto, a terrific study of sadistic bullying and greed, as well as abandonment and loss. This film is easily the equal of anything Del Toro has done previously, and something of a companion piece to his following movie, the justly celebrated Pans Labyrinth. By turns beautiful, atmospheric and when it wants to be, scary as hell.

Great film

The Devil's Backbone is the most horrifying film Guillermo Del Toro has ever done, and not for reasons you would expect. It is a story that features a ghost, but it's purpose is foreshadowing the grim future at awaits.During the last days of the Spanish Civil War. It tells the story of 10-year-old boy, Carlos, who after losing his father is sent to an orphanage on a remote desert island, where he meets a whole bunch of characters, one of which a bully (who he later befriends). The films pacing is really effective because it really does take the time to establish his friendship with the other children in an environment he is completely unfamiliar with. Both Fernando Tielve as Carlos and Íñigo Garcés as the hostile Jamie stand out so much in particular for me. I generally love how the children are written in this film as they just feel real and distinct. Also Federico Luppi gives a great performance as Dr. Casares, who is the doctor or the orphanage. And Eduardo Noriega as Jacinto, the caretaker is truly unforgettable.The second half just explodes on you and the villain in the film is actually revealed about midway through the film and needless to say he is absolutely chilling. The truly horrifying thing about this film is actually about human nature, and what lengths someone would go to for the sake of greed showing absolutely no thought for any of the innocent lives including orphaned children just to get what he wants. It is the most challenging watch, and I could feel my heart just breaking in half at times.Stylistically it's very grounded compared to other Del Toro films. The ghost of course has Del Toro written all over it, but it is definitely nothing like vibrant style of some of his previous work. It truly uses the desert and the bleak environment around them to maximum effect. The film is shot beautifully by Guillermo Navaro. It is so effectively suspenseful in every way and I could feel myself sitting on the edge of my seat just enthralled at this masterpiece that was happening in front of me. The score to this film is haunting and beautiful in just about every regard. This film is Guillermo Del Toro's true horror film, It is unflinching, uncompromising and absolutely demands your full attention with every passing moment. He stated that this was his most personal film and it really does show! This feels like a commentary on his views on the Spanish Civil War, and I think that is why this film has such a passionate feel to it. It's an essential film to watch in my opinion and personally, I think its on a par with Pan's Labyrinth!

This is, in my mind the most carefully portrayed work of human emotion G Del Toro has attempted thus far. It transcends Pan's Labyrinth but does show eclectic talent when I look at Hellboy(s) and the different genres so well constructed. It is a pure work of genius. The gentleness and awareness he has shown in the making of this film is second to none.His portrayal of the life led by those at the mercy of poverty such as the orphans in the Spanish Civil War is mighty telling. He gives a glimpse into the culture of the Spaniards of the day, their music and philosophy, poetry and art, as well as the depraved wicked and greedy.The hopelessness of those children desperate for rescue, cries out for justice and humanity.There is evil at work right in the midst of the struggles for survival, and the thread of the ghost story winds itself around the dynamics of this mix.There is the utter tradgedy of the elderly man reciting his latest poem for his dying wife, to help her on her final journey, to the end, this is the true art of tragedy, and oh so beautifully acted by Federico Luppi.And then there are the struggles of the orphans themselves to be rid of the evil which has blighted their lives, to enable their survival, and the role of the ghost, whose presence is always shimmering around and about the storyline.There seems to be a balanced mix of love, loyalty, war, violence, tender romance and biting hatred, and poetic justice did prevail, so the film left me with a sense of satisfaction, in that my emotional spectrum was fulfilled.This is a work of art which belongs with all great tradgedies. I must learn more of his work, and would love to see some more films done in this style.