The Devil's Backbone Reviews

Gorgeous and memorable

Beautifuly shot and composed, with many filmic references (from The Searchers to The Shining), a very talented cast, unobtrusive but effective special effects; this is a ghost story, not a 'horror-flick'. There is minimal gore, though the finale is explosive and graphically violent. Suspense, unease and tension build slowly but surely and there are a number of scary encounters or near encounters along the way. The real 'horror' is in the actions, motivation and choices of the living. The sense of place and time is palpable (Spain, summer, the Civil War, the impovrished and isolated orphanage, the cool of the night and the dank creepy shadows of the cellar). This is simply a top-quality film that transcends genres.

El Espinazo del Diablo

The Devil's Backbone (a.k.a. 'El Espinazo del Diablo') is Guillermo del Toro's third feature film, and is a psychological ghost story at its core. It is a story about a young boy, Carlos, who is reluctantly taken in at a remote orphanage during the Spanish Civil War. A complex tale of horror and interpersonal tensions plays out, surrounded by the mystery of a unexploded bomb, left defused at the centre of the orphanage and the dark secrets of 'The One Who Sighs' - a restless soul that has taken a keen interest in Carlos.

The film's script is very tight but linear, and does not try to add twists to make it seem more than it is, and that's what is so great about it. Guillermo has produced some scenes that may send a chill down your backbone, and the perfectly designed set of the eerie orphanage, where almost all the story takes place, helps achieve this.

However, the film does suffer from a few flaws. The dramatisation between characters are sometimes given so much emphasis that the 'ghost' story is given the back seat, and you sometimes wonder whether you are watching a horror film or a Spanish soap opera. Redeeming this, and what really stands out in this film, is the superb acting by the children. Fernando Tielve, who plays Carlos, is a young talented actor, and this debut is a promising start to his career.

Truly Superb

In a nutshell: a subtitled Spanish horror film. But The Devil's Backbone is so much more than that. Innovative, dark, intelligent, and no punches pulled: I was impressed.

The supernatural horror element is juxtaposed onto a gritty reality film about an orphanage in war torn Spain (the Civil War in the mid 20th century). Clever, clever, clever. In a more subtle way than the over-rated Dusk Til Dawn, the two genres intertwine better and a lot more sensibly. The more I think about Dusk Til Dawn, the more I think it wasn't actually that clever or groundbreaking at all. It was just crude. Whereas The Devil's Backbone smoothes the two together beautifully.

The pity of war and the horror for the normal people is emphasised, and emphasised well. Despite the fact the supernatural elements should clash, they don't. This is truly intelligent and beautifully done.

The supernatural side explores death and ghosts, and does it in a subtle and stylish way. Revealing facts and history in a fragmented way that gives a lot of shock element throughout the film, the film stylishly works like a jigsaw. The imagery and the portrayal of the ghosts are nothing short of gorgeous.

This is a dark film: you won't go home clicking your heels happy with life. However, there is hope at the end, despite a huge body count of characters that you are forced to like. The film very brutally makes you love the very real and flawed characters. They are all real people with values, flaws, dark secrets, and a tragic history... then after you feel like you've got to know real characters (unlike the stereotypes you get in Hollywood blockbusters), they are ruthlessly, almost callously, slaughtered. And you don't expect it. I was gutted.

This is a VERY good horror film. However, this is no schlock: do not watch when drunk. This is stylish psychological horror to rival even classics like The Omen and Ring. A truly dark, true fear inducing, brutal... FANTASTIC film.

Masterful modern chiller

The devil's backbone is a truly terrifying ghost story. There is no self-referential "scream" style irony, just good old-fashioned scares. The tension creeps up on you slowly but never lets go. As night falls, the pressure rises and like the characters themselves, you are praying for daylight to appear. The film is beautifully shot; the composition and style is reminisent of 30s comic books, which are themselves referenced frequently in the film. As the film progresses, director del toro ups the horror factor and there are some scenes which will have you squirming in your seat. The strong central performances of the young ensemble cast bring the essential realism required to make the supernatural aspects seem all the more believable and consequently more petrifying. The film keeps you on your toes right up and till the very end and takes some very unexpected twists and turns. The devil's backbone is a masterful modern chiller with a touch of old-fashioned class.

The Devil has one, why hasn't Hollywood?

Dear lazy buggers in charge of large faceless corporations, who stick to making 'Big Bangs Good' films.

Stop remaking hold horror classics, and not-so-classics, and take note. This is how you do it.

Strong storyline. No excessive special effects. Strong direction, acting, and chills. None of this 'spooky music followed by jumping cat' malarky.

Do it right. Be original.

WOW!!What a beautiful and haunting movie

This movie was a revelation to me,i had heard Mark Kermode eulogising about it on Radio 5,and decided to trust his judgement,as hes pretty sound...and i must say that it has to be one of the best movies i have seen,certainly in my top 20 of all time,the cinematography is blinding,the performances of the boys was spot on,and the story was just engrossing,not really a horror,more like ,say the 6th sense,only with a lot more guile and panache,honestly folks,rent it,you will NOT be dissappointed,its a complete jewel.

Old fashioned ghost story!

The Devil's Backbone is set in an orphanage during the Spanish Civil War. It revolves around the appearance of a new boy and the disappearance of young boy Santi. As the film develops the reasons for Santi's disappearance becomes clear and ends up devastating the whole orphanage.

The thing I loved most about this film was its use of the old fashioned ghost sotry married with a modern, devastating edge. The ending unravels slowly giving you time to take in all the events leading up to the final ending. Del Toro shows real skill at using fantastically gifted boy actors and shooting an excellent script. This film completely blew my expectations away and I urge anyone to rent it - its well worth it.

[Highly rated reviewer]

mmmmm

Not really impressed - but others may enoy

chillingly simple

This is 1 of those movies you can watch over and over again, each time connecting in some other way to a character or scene in it. Each character has there own rich history which becomes more apparent each time you see it. The writer and director have excelled by relating life's many characteristics in one theme. The connectedness of the entire story is revealing in it's own form while still relating a tale in itself, one you might be familiar with or one that strikes you for the first time as a part of your life you have yet to live. All in all, the theory behind this 'ghost' is one of peoples passions becoming entities, living the life that has left on another path through life. More in common with what a ghost should be as to what we have been led to believe. This movie thrills and motivates your view on life, and the people in it in many, many ways. Like a view through a childs eyes to perceive the simpler things in life, this tale will definately linger in your minds eye. In short, watch it, it's damn good.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Decent warm up to pans labyrinth

Now i saw pans labyrinth before this movie so i think it took away some of the originality from this feature. I firmly believe if i saw this film 1st i would be giving it 5 stars because they both have a similar feel , which is unique. Pans Labyrinth is a piece of classic modern cinema and i would highly recommend this as an introduction into the strange fantasy/reality world that the director seems to bring to his movies (except when he isnt doing terrible hollywood trash like hellboy and blade 2).

Please if you havent seen pans labyrinth, watch this 1st and see how it affects you and leave a review. would be interested in your thoughts