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Movies / On DVD / The Devil's Backbone
The Devil's Backbone

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The Devil's Backbone (2001)

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Reviews Counted:99

Fresh:91

Rotten:8

Average Rating:7.5/10

Consensus: Creepily atmospheric and haunting, The Devil's Backbone is both a potent ghost story and an intelligent political allegory.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for violence, language and some sexuality

Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Theatrical Release:Nov 21, 2001 Limited

Synopsis: During the Spanish Civil War, newly orphaned Carlos is taken to a school for the children of those who died fighting against fascism. He is given the bed that formerly belonged to Santi, a boy who... During the Spanish Civil War, newly orphaned Carlos is taken to a school for the children of those who died fighting against fascism. He is given the bed that formerly belonged to Santi, a boy who recently died during an attack in which a bomb dropped, landing in the school's courtyard undetonated, a reminder of impending danger. As the amputee headmistress (Marisa Paredes, ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER) and the embittered caretaker, Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega), engage in a love affair, the headmistress' cuckolded husband, the impotent but benevolent school doctor (Frederico Luppi) sits by passively. Meanwhile, after Santi's ghost repeatedly reveals itself to Carlos, another student spooks Carlos with a dark secret about the boy's death. War surrounds the school, violence infests it from within, and Carlos sets out to avenge the death of Santi. Taking on themes such as the brutality of war and the loss of innocence, Guillermo del Toro's (MIMIC) film skillfully combines elements of war, gothic horror, melodrama, and adventure to create a work that functions as both a genre film and a politically resonant piece of nostalgia. THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE uses history as a means of transforming what would otherwise be a routine ghost story into a powerful and affecting statement. [More]

Starring: Marisa Paredes, Eduardo Noriega, Federico Luppi, Fernando Tielve

Starring: Marisa Paredes, Eduardo Noriega, Federico Luppi, Fernando Tielve, Irene Visedo

Director: Guillermo Del Toro

Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Screenwriter: Guillermo Del Toro, Antonio Trashorras, David Munoz
Producer: Agustin Almodovar, Berta Navarro
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jun 25, 2002

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Reviews for The Devil's Backbone

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/18/08
Jonathan Holland
Jonathan Holland
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Besides being genuinely creepy, it is also surprisingly moving. It is, quite probably ... the saddest horror movie ever made.

Full Review Source: Cinefantastique | comment Comment
07/14/08
Steve Biodrowski
Steve Biodrowski
Cinefantastique

Calling The Devil's Backbone a ghost story is an unfair simplification of an exquisitely crafted film... If you must label this film as horror, then it's a horror film with a soul.

Full Review Source: KPBS.org | comment Comment
07/10/08
Beth Accomando
Beth Accomando
KPBS.org

A weirdly poetic film.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
04/02/08
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
12/27/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

It's a striking film and further good news for the Spanish cinema, too few of whose films open here.

Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
09/24/07
Philip French
Philip French
Observer [UK]

A finely acted, atmospheric period piece with a strong streak of mystery and the supernatural. Both chilling and rewarding.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/24/07
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An entertaining and atmospheric revenge tale.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
09/24/07
Martin Rubin
Martin Rubin
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

So much better than Del Toro's studio efforts, with a masterful command of sound and and colour that is breathtaking.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Colin Kennedy
Colin Kennedy
Empire Magazine

If only for its technical aspects, this would rate as a pleasurably superior supernatural psychological thriller, with polished but subtle special effects, painterly, atmospheric cinematography and vivid performances.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

A treasure of artistic elements and genres synthesized together in a flawless cohesion of cinematic and visual poetry.

Full Review Source: Rue Morgue Magazine | comment Comment
07/22/05
Jovanka Vuckovic
Jovanka Vuckovic
Rue Morgue Magazine

A freakshow royale.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
07/04/04
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

A visually appealing daylight ghost story...

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
03/24/03
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Makes the mistake of revealing too much too soon . . . however, the film excels in most other areas.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
03/19/03
Brian Mckay
Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com

[An] elegant, spooky story.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
03/10/03
Kimberly Jones
Kimberly Jones
Austin Chronicle

Atmospheric in detail, the film's visuals are its strongest point.

Full Review Source: RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) | comment Comment
02/13/03
Tom Grealis
Tom Grealis
RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)

The most polished work that Del Toro has created in some time.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Christopher Varney
Christopher Varney
Film Threat

A ghost story this hypnotically effective is cause for celebration, particularly if you’re a horror fan patiently digging through the scrap heaps looking for something worthy of your time.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
11/02/02
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
Apollo Guide

Del Toro has produced a remarkable story that has the feel of authenticity.

Full Review Source: San Diego Metropolitan | comment Comment
10/21/02
Jean Lowerison
Jean Lowerison
San Diego Metropolitan

An extraordinarily powerful film, filled with chilling moments and evocative characters.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
07/26/02
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
 
 
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