The Devil's backbone (2001)
Year: 2001
Country: Spain
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Criterion Spine Number: 666 (clever Criterion, clever)
Reviewed: April 2014
Country: Spain
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Criterion Spine Number: 666 (clever Criterion, clever)
Reviewed: April 2014
The Devil’s Backbone is one of those truly great horror films that not only scares you but challenges you by making you think about deeper issues than just ghosts. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, it is similar to his more well-known film, the excellent Pan’s Labyrinth, in that the supernatural and fantasy trappings are not the main focus of the story, it’s the human monsters that are far more terrifying. However, while the latter film used fairy-tale (albeit very dark) trappings to examine its central themes of imagination as an escape from the reality of a desperate situation, this film contrasts traditional horror symbolism to that of the evil humans we see to highlight the difference between the two. Focussed around a haunted orphanage towards the end of the Spanish civil war, it expands the concept in such a way that the film can be read and understood in a number of ways. It’s a terrifying ghost story, with a sympathetic and memorable spirit (the blood that flows upwards from his head, as though he were floating in water is incredibly unnerving and visually arresting). It’s an emotional human drama with shocking, emotional deaths (particularly the central explosion which has to be seen to be believed. I literally ducked at one point, so convincing was the shot) with a powerful, hopeful core. It also works as a metaphor for the Spanish civil war itself with isolated individuals fighting against fascists. However, what makes the film so watchable and fascinating is that all of these layers interact so critically with one another. This is one of the criticisms aimed at Pan’s Labyrinth that the two levels at which the film works never mesh in a way that is truly satisfying, which is valid (not saying it’s a bad film. It’s one of the best films I’ve ever seen. We just get two perfect films which jar at certain points). The same criticism cannot be labelled at The Devil’s Backbone. All of the levels at which the film works interact but do not necessarily detract from one another, and may lead to different readings depending on which way you approached the film. For example, as I was viewing this as part of Fright Night Fridays, I was viewing it as purely a horror film and was focussing on the numerous moments of sheer terror. At another time, I may see it as more of a metaphor for the Spanish conflict (which I know very little about) and at another, I may focus on it’s gorgeous cinematography (the landscape shots are stunning and the central unexploded bomb is a potent symbol). This is a film that almost demands to be watched and rewatched, but I don’t really mind because I loved this movie. It’s one of the most likable movies I’ve seen in a while (probably because I discovered this of my own accord, as opposed to the Criterion list or critical appreciation) and one film that people who enjoyed Pan’s Labyrinth really must see. In fact, so does everyone else. This is that rare thing; a film that works on many levels but is also incredibly entertaining. Watch it.
Best Scene: the ghost walks down a hallway/the central explosion
(because I literally cannot decide)
Overall Verdict: 10
(because I literally cannot decide)
Overall Verdict: 10