The Devil's Backbone (2001)

The Devil's Backbone (2001)
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Guillermo del Toro, who quickly became one of the most talked-about directors in contemporary horror films with his first two features, Chronos and Mimic, takes on a more subtle tale of terror with this psychological suspense piece. Casares (Federico Luppi) and Carmen (Marisa Paredes) operate a small home for orphans in a remote part of Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Helping the couple mind the orphanage are Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega), the groundskeeper, and Conchita (Irene Visedo), a teacher who is also involved with Jacinto. Casares and Carmen are aligned with the Republican loyalists, and are hiding a large cache of gold that's used to back the Republican treasury; perhaps not coincidentally, the orphanage has also been subject to attacks from Franco's troops, and an unexploded bomb waits to be defused in the home's courtyard. One day, a boy named Carlos (Fernando Tielve) arrives at the home, looking for a place to stay after being left behind by his parents. Casares and Carmen take him in, and the boy soon strikes up an unlikely friendship with Jaime (Inigo Garces), a boy with a reputation for tormenting other kids. But Carlos soon begins having visions of a mysterious apparition he can't identify, and hears strange stories about a child named Santi who went missing the day the bomb appeared near the orphanage. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Marisa ParedesEduardo Noriega, (more)
Director(s):
Guillermo del Toro
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Synopsis of The Devil's Backbone

Guillermo del Toro, who quickly became one of the most talked-about directors in contemporary horror films with his first two features, Chronos and Mimic, takes on a more subtle tale of terror with this psychological suspense piece. Casares (Federico Luppi) and Carmen (Marisa Paredes) operate a small home for orphans in a remote part of Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Helping the couple mind the orphanage are Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega), the groundskeeper, and Conchita (Irene Visedo), a teacher who is also involved with Jacinto. Casares and Carmen are aligned with the Republican loyalists, and are hiding a large cache of gold that's used to back the Republican treasury; perhaps not coincidentally, the orphanage has also been subject to attacks from Franco's troops, and an unexploded bomb waits to be defused in the home's courtyard. One day, a boy named Carlos (Fernando Tielve) arrives at the home, looking for a place to stay after being left behind by his parents. Casares and Carmen take him in, and the boy soon strikes up an unlikely friendship with Jaime (Inigo Garces), a boy with a reputation for tormenting other kids. But Carlos soon begins having visions of a mysterious apparition he can't identify, and hears strange stories about a child named Santi who went missing the day the bomb appeared near the orphanage. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
108 mins

Complete Cast of The Devil's Backbone


Director(s):
Guillermo del Toro
Writer(s):
David MuñozGuillermo del ToroAntonio Trashorras
Producer(s):
Agustín AlmodóvarGuillermo del ToroBertha Navarro
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Adult Language, Adult Situations, Sexual Situations, Not For Children, Violence)
Categories:
Mystery & Suspense
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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Member Reviews
 
Scott S.

I rented this because I love Pan's Labyrinth and the director seemed to know how to create a mood extremely well. The suspense created was amazing for such simple effects and story. I would give it an 8 out of 10 minimum. The acting was very good, especially with a lot of kids involved and the story was incredibly interesting.

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Neal M.

rented it online and it took me 3 weeks after receipt to get my wife to watch it due to the subtitles. But almost from the first scene she got into it. Great story, good acting, many unexpected (at first glance) twists, with Jacinto and the Spanish Civil War vying for Most Evil title. This is NOT a supernatural horror story, barely a ghost story, just a well told tale.

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Rebekah B.

So brilliant and moving! I loved it!

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