Not a Horror - It's a Fantastic Ghost Story
Eamon from Limerick, 15 Dec 2007
Originally this movie suffered from some bad marketing. Billed as a horror movie but so much more, it's a beautifully told ghost story set in a boy's orphanage during the Spanish Civil War, centering around the arrival of a new boy after the disappearance of another and the ghostly apparitions that ensue. Directed by Guillermo Del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy) this film features fantastic performances from all concerned and is beautifully shot. I can't recommend this movie highly enough.
6 people out of 7 found this review helpful
Very good.
Ciaran from Dublin, 08 Nov 2007
I got this after seeing the trailer on the fantastic 'Pan's Labyrinth' so said I'd give this a go. Wasn't disapointed. Not as magical as 'Pan's' but is a very good film all the same. The ghost of a dead child hangs around a remote orphanage in Spain during the civil war but all is not as it seems. Not especially scary but the tension is kept taut throughout. Certainly a director to watch and I eagerly await his next exercise.
5 people out of 5 found this review helpful
Dark, Brilliant Supernatural thriller-NOT A HORROR
Diarmaid from Wicklow, 04 Dec 2007
I think the title for this is scarier than the movie, this is a much more accessible film than the oscar nominated Pan's Labyrinth from the same director. A simple tale, with a supernatural slant. The child actors more than hold their own against the adults in the story, there are many wonderful strands of this story, nicely woven together to provide a top-class film full of real and fascinating characters each of which could be the centrepiece of another film.
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful
Devils Backbone
dermot from Dublin, 18 Mar 2009
Good ghost story without any slash horror or silly effects. Key ingredients are dusty civil war Spain, a creaky old orphange with largely well intentioned staff with one excpetion. Characters and secrets are slowly revealed while the good and evil battle heads for resolultion. If you like the The Orphanage you'll like this.
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful
Absolute must-see
Brian from Dublin, 26 Sep 2007
Got this after watching Pan's Labyrinth, which can only be called a masterpiece. Many similar elements here - similar historical setting, magical realism, child in central role - and the results are almost as impressive.
2 people out of 3 found this review helpful
Nice
javier from Dublin, 07 Oct 2007
During the Spanish civil war something happens in a orphanage that will end in terror. It shows some of spain and its habbits, not a movie for quitters.
2 people out of 3 found this review helpful
Good
Pia from Cork, 11 May 2010
This film is from the director of Hellboy. He directs like Pedro Almodóvar but with a dark twist of creepy things existing side by side with normality. The film was good but I prefer Pan's Labyrinth which is like a dark version of Alice In Wonderland. This film is in Spanish so if you don't speak spanish or like reading subtitles it's not for you.
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful