I swear everytime I rent a movie with the "hey look here this won the artsy farty-palm-d'or pointless trophy in france!" i get EXTREMELY dissapointed. well everyone my new dissapointment would be this spanish film called The Devil's Backbone. The story is about a little boy who's an orphan during a war in the 30's and is in a spanish village where he's left to be cared after by some leftist who are hiding from the goverment. We're not informed about what war it actually IS. anyways, he starts seeing this ghost and other wierd crap, some other little kids beat him up, he befriends them. All the grown-ups that run this villa are screwing eachother both literally and non-literally and talking philosophy, like in all foregin films. and that's about it. the movie took forever to end, and it seemed like it wasn't sure if it should be an american-supernatural movie rip-off, a drama, a war film, or a boring art film. If anyone has seen this let me know what you thought.
Post Edited (01-01-04 11:46)
I swear everytime I ... i get EXTREMELY dissapointed.
There's a quip about insanity in here somewhere..
Post Edited (12-28-03 20:21)
I really enjoyed THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE. Guillermo del Toro will be on my list of favorite director's if he can pull HELLBOY off.
THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE, however, isn't really a straight up horror movie as it is a drama with horror elements. And, yup, it's slow. Of course, I enjoy a drawn out movie.
Apparently it helps to know something about the Spanish civil war, during which this film is set. I don't know a thing about it, that's just what they say.
I liked it, especially the way the supernatural elements unfolded a little at a time rather than just being shoved in your face.
I liked it too, and took it as more of a ghost story with the Spanish Civil War as a backdrop. The horrors of war contrasting with the horrors of the supernatural. Good creepy atmosphere, plus I like the different setting. Not for everybody's taste, but I still recommend it to people.
Well that's cool that you all liked the film, it just didn't do much for me. Although Spain has produced a lot of awesome horror movies and pyschological thrillers like "Open Your Eyes" & "Thesis," a nice twisted film about the reality of snuff, I loved it!
DEVIL'S BACKBONE was a tad too slow for me.....
THESIS was not as good as I thought it would be.
"Devil's backbone" is a very good film. It is not very scary, although it has its moments, but it creates a wonderful atmosphere and the pace may be slow but never boring. I'd recommend it without a hesitation.
About the war subject, the film is set during the last moments of the spanish civil war (1936-39), when several generals revolted against the liberal government and eventually created a fascist regime after their victory. The people who take care of the place in the movie are lefties, and that's why they are afraid of catching the attention of the other side, which is about to conquer the territory they are in. Hope that helps.
Neville thanks for the info. I had a feeling it was the Spanish Civil War, I just wasn't too sure since they didn't directly mention it anywhere in the film. Although I had a feeling it was since remnants of the story reminded me of Hemmingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" which takes place during the Spanish Civil War & also involves leftist running from the fascists.
"THESIS was not as good as I thought it would be."
did you think it was more graphic that most American horror films though?
"We knocked on the door
of hell's darkest chambers
pushed to the limits, we dragged ourselves in." -Joy Division
I don't remember how graphic it was. It didn't leave much of an impression.