The Devil's Backbone (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

This is one of my favorite films and Criterion delivered a perfect edition of it.

You probably know the Sixth Sense, The Others, The Woman in Black. But you probably have not heard of The Devil's Backbone. There is a reason this movie is getting the Criterion treatment: its is probably one of Del Toro's best films. Set in the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, a group of boys discover a horrible secret about the death of a little boy who haunts their orphanage. Like many of Del Toro's films there is a political message here, but a love story as well--the political and the personal intersect, and its here that you get great storytelling. This film is considered by many to be Guillermo Del Toro's bookend to his newest film Pan's Labyrinth and you'll probably notice close similarities. But dont think that the ghost story is entirely the locus of the film, it is the stories of the lives of its characters that makes this movie shine.

Some people think horror is about busty teens and young rebels being picked off by mysterious killers or lots of gore from a made up creature. Well this film has neither so stay away.What you do have is a stunning film with great actors playing real people with real issues. Three or four stories are interwoven perfectly, set off with great imagery...all set around the Spanish civil war and the haunting corridors of an orphanage for abandoned children.While the film does contain a ghost -the murdered child, Santi- the real horror of the film comes from the greed of certain adults who occupy the orphanage with the children.This film is intelligent poetry on screen -mortality, love, hate, jealousy, greed and redemption are all explored.This film puts many films to shame just for having a great story at it's core.

This Film is a must , for fans of Beauty and Terror , Which seems to be Guillermo Del-Toro Trade marks , I was fortunate to purchasea signed Blu Ray Criterion . Del-Toro is an excellent Artist in his own , and it shows in this film , He has a way with directing chiddenso as to see the story from a child's point of view , Especially where scene's of Terror or horror to Adults would be running scared , The child is seeing , not horror , but instead hiding , the child or children are curious , a kindred spirit . The real horror is outside , with the living who willing to murder a child for just being in the way. Guillermo Del-Toro shows us, in this remarkable film .Thank you everyone : For giving me your time.

Super edition.As with all the Criterion edition this is no exception.The only complain about it is not about this title but about the rest of the entire catalogue of Criterion.I'm a spanish speaker. Of course, I can watch a movie in english without subtitles but not all can do the same.Is it so expensive for Criterion to include subtitles in other language than english in their releases?I think thay they're loosing a big chunk of the market for not doing it so.

Fantastic! I already love the film but this presentation made it even better. Terrific bonus features as well.

Before he got really big he was doing great "smaller" flicks like this that show his style and story-telling. Without giving up the story the movie is about a boy left at an orphanage during the Spanish civil war. While there he uncovers a mystery that remains unsolved but through his ability to communicate with the deceased victim the truth unfolds. More of a story-telling than a gotcha or boo thriller type movie. And, reading an essay on the movie to understand the symbolism regarding del Toro's position on the war and socialism makes it all the more interesting.

A great restoration of one of our generations greatest adventure directors, GDT. I would not doubt the criterion collections are all great though. The cover art for this film is made by Mike Mignola, and it is great to look at!The Devil's Backbone is greatly acted, amazingly directed by del Toro, and is a great film which parallels the plot of his more popular film, Pan's Labyrinth. His style is refined and great. Its a treat and a must have for any del Toro fan!

Great little ghost movie. As long as you’re okay reading English subtitles. Definitely worth buying.

No duden en adquirirla, es una gran película por parte de Guillermo Del Toro. Esta restauración de Criterion me impresionó, qué buen trabajo hicieron en aspectos visuales y de sonido, en verdad no duden en comprarla. Quizá me hubiera gustado una caja más elaborada para esta película, pero no importa, el contenido del disco es genial; eso sí, contiene algunas ilustraciones muy bonitas dentro de un pequeño booklet.

Great film, and beautifully rendered as always by Criterion.

La edición me parece muy buena, el contenido extra en la película y el pequeño libro/folleto que contiene me parecieron una aportación significativa a una película con excelente imagen y sonido. Cabe mencionar que como en otras ediciones de The criterion collection los subtítulos son únicamente en inglés, sin embargo el idioma es el original de la película (español).Realmente si te gusta esta película vale mucho la pena el hacerse de esta edición.

loved it