Guillermo's Ghost

The Devil's Backbone

Credits

Original title :

El espinazo del diablo

Country :

Spain-Mexico

Year :

2001

Director :

Guillermo del Toro

Version :

vostEN

Duration :

108 minutes

Actors :

Fernando Tielve, Eduardo Noriega, Marisa Paredes, Federico Luppi

Awards :

Nomination, Cinénygma Luxembourg International Film Festival 2003

synopsis

When Carlos, a 12-year-old boy, is admitted to an orphanage after the execution of his father, a Republican, in 1939 Spain, he makes a horrid discovery by lifting the veil on the tragic secrets of the school.

Ghosts are more interesting when they have their reasons. They should have unfinished affairs of the heart or soul. The Devil’s Backbone, a mournful and beautiful new ghost story by Guillermo del Toro, understands that most ghosts are sad, and are attempting not to frighten us but to urgently communicate something that must be known so that they can rest.

Roger Ebert

This is not a good advert for Hollywood. Del Toro's poised and poignant ghost story contains more substance and is executed with more style than a half dozen Hollywood monster movies.

Empire