The Devil's Backbone (2001)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:99
Fresh:91
Rotten:8
Average Rating:7.5/10
Consensus: Creepily atmospheric and haunting, The Devil's Backbone is both a potent ghost story and an intelligent political allegory.
Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
US Box Office: $0
Synopsis: During the Spanish Civil War, newly orphaned Carlos is taken to a school for the children of those who died fighting against fascism. He is given the bed that formerly belonged to Santi, a boy who... [More]
Starring: Marisa Paredes, Eduardo Noriega, Federico Luppi, Fernando Tielve
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Reviews for The Devil's Backbone
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An extraordinarily powerful film, filled with chilling moments and evocative characters. Full Review |
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3.5/5 |
Click to read the article Full Review |
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Besides being genuinely creepy, it is also surprisingly moving. It is, quite probably ... the saddest horror movie ever made. Full Review |
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Calling The Devil's Backbone a ghost story is an unfair simplification of an exquisitely crafted film... If you must label this film as horror, then it's a horror film with a soul. Full Review |
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4.5/5 |
A weirdly poetic film. Full Review |
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3.5/4 |
Click to read the article Full Review |
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It's a striking film and further good news for the Spanish cinema, too few of whose films open here. Full Review |
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5/5 |
A finely acted, atmospheric period piece with a strong streak of mystery and the supernatural. Both chilling and rewarding. Full Review |
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An entertaining and atmospheric revenge tale. Full Review |
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4/5 |
So much better than Del Toro's studio efforts, with a masterful command of sound and and colour that is breathtaking. Full Review |
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If only for its technical aspects, this would rate as a pleasurably superior supernatural psychological thriller, with polished but subtle special effects, painterly, atmospheric cinematography and vivid performances. Full Review |
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5/5 |
A treasure of artistic elements and genres synthesized together in a flawless cohesion of cinematic and visual poetry. Full Review |
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3.5/5 |
A freakshow royale. Full Review |
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B- |
A visually appealing daylight ghost story... Full Review |
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4/5 |
Makes the mistake of revealing too much too soon . . . however, the film excels in most other areas. Full Review |
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3.5/5 |
[An] elegant, spooky story. Full Review |
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3/5 |
Atmospheric in detail, the film's visuals are its strongest point. Full Review |
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3/5 |
The most polished work that Del Toro has created in some time. Full Review |
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90/100 |
A ghost story this hypnotically effective is cause for celebration, particularly if you’re a horror fan patiently digging through the scrap heaps looking for something worthy of your time. Full Review |
CommentLatest News for The Devil's Backbone
November 14, 2008:
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July 13, 2008:
Guillermo del Toro - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview
We have an extended chat with the director of Cronos, Pan's Labyrinth and this week's Hellboy II to talk about his career past, present and future and tap him for juicy... More...
April 10, 2007:
Del Toro Talks "Hellboy 2" and Other New Projects
Genre master Guillermo del Toro is presently in Budapest, hard at work on pre-production for "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army," but in a recent interview he let us know... More...
October 31, 2006:
RT's Top 20 Halloween Movie Countdown, Part 4
Happy Halloween! We've been counting down the Top 20 Halloween flicks and today we unveil the number one best-reviewed in horror and suspense cinema, so without further ado... More...
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