By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Eduardo Noriega | Federico Luppi | Marisa Paredes
Original language title: El Espinazo del Diablo
Country: ireland, united_kingdom
Year: 2001
Running time: 105
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0256009
Howard says: “A great film taking place near the end of the Spanish Civil war. Its being billed as a ghost story, but its really about how peoples pasts can completely control their present. The cast is great especially the kids so kudos to Guillermo del Toro for wringing out those performances. My favorite moment came at the end when Carlos is giving the gun back to the doctor and finally lets himself cry and express the guilt of what he has helped orchestrate. Its a wonderful little story with very creepy moments.” 4 cats
Jim says: “Another of my favorites at Telluride was THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE introduced by the director, Guillermo del Toro (CRONOS and MIMIC), Mexico-Spain, 2001. This is a ghost story set in a boys orphanage and against a backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. The atmosphere and look of this film were wonderful. The performances by the youthful cast and particularly the seasoned actress Marisa Paredes make this a thoroughly enjoyable film.