Executed with trademark technical flair and empathy, this part-horror, part-fairytale set in a haunted orphanage from 2001 is one of the director’s bestHe’s a household name now after The Shape of Water and his new Frankenstein, but 25 years ago Guillermo del Toro was a virtual unknown, still bruised from the Harvey Weinstein-produced Hollywood flop Mimic. But, as this overlooked follow-up attests, he was always a class act. In fact, this is one of his best: a rich, rousing ghost story shrouded in trademark gothic gloom but executed with technical flair and a good deal of empathy.As with his later breakthrough Pan’s Labyrinth, it’s part-horror, part-fairytale, with children at its centre. The setting is a middle-of-nowhere boys’ orphanage in 1930s Spain, a leftist sanctuary from Franco’s fascists during the civil war. Newcomer Carlos (Fernando Tielve) must find his feet in this semi-surreal realm, with an unexploded bomb in the middle of the courtyard, some kindly adults (one-legged Marisa Paredes and kindly doctor Federico Luppi), some not-so-kindly adults (aggressive caretaker Eduardo Noriega), and junior bullies to win over. There’s also a ghost in the mix: a pale-faced boy named Santi, whose death no one seems to want to discuss, and to whose empty bed Carlos is ominously assigned. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/23/the-devils-backbone-review-rich-rousing-ghost-story-is-early-gothic-gem-from-guillermo-del-toro">Continue reading...</a>

تم الاحتفاء بفيلم غييرمو ديل تورو، العمود الفقري للشيطان، الذي صدر في عام 2001، كقصة أشباح غنية ومؤثرة، تُظهر براعته التقنية وتعاطفه، وتدور أحداثه في دار أيتام مسكونة خلال الحرب الأهلية الإسبانية. تتشابك السرديات بين عناصر الرعب والحكايات الخيالية، مع التركيز على صبي صغير يتنقل في بيئة سريالية مليئة باللطف والخطر.

La película de Guillermo del Toro, El Espinazo del Diablo, lanzada en 2001, es aclamada como una rica y conmovedora historia de fantasmas, que muestra su destreza técnica y empatía, ambientada en un orfanato encantado durante la Guerra Civil Española. La narrativa entrelaza elementos de horror y cuento de hadas, centrándose en un joven que navega por un entorno surrealista lleno de amabilidad y peligro.

Le film de Guillermo del Toro, Le Labyrinthe de Pan, sorti en 2001, est salué comme une histoire de fantômes riche et émouvante, mettant en avant son savoir-faire technique et son empathie, dans le cadre d'un orphelinat hanté pendant la guerre civile espagnole. Le récit mêle des éléments d'horreur et de conte de fées, se concentrant sur un jeune garçon naviguant dans un environnement surréaliste rempli à la fois de gentillesse et de danger.

Guillermo del Toro's 2001 film, The Devil’s Backbone, is celebrated as a rich and rousing ghost story, showcasing his technical flair and empathy, set against the backdrop of a haunted orphanage during the Spanish Civil War. The film's narrative intertwines horror and fairytale elements, focusing on a young boy navigating a surreal environment filled with both kindness and danger.

The Devil’s Backbone review – rich, rousing ghost story is early gothic gem from Guillermo del Toro

Special guest Guillermo del Toro will join The George Stevens Lecture on Directing’s premiere screening of the newly-restored “The Greatest Story Ever Told” at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The screening of the 1965 film will take place on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Academy&#8217;s David Geffen Theater in Los Angeles, marking its 60th [&#8230;]

سيشارك غييرمو ديل تورو كضيف خاص في العرض الأول للفيلم الذي تم ترميمه حديثًا 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' في محاضرة جورج ستيفنز حول الإخراج، والتي ستقام في متحف أكاديمية الصور المتحركة في لوس أنجلوس في 17 يناير، بمناسبة الذكرى الستين للفيلم.

Guillermo del Toro será el invitado especial en la proyección inaugural de la película restaurada de 1965 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' en la George Stevens Lecture on Directing, que se llevará a cabo en el Academy Museum of Motion Pictures en Los Ángeles el 17 de enero, conmemorando el 60 aniversario de la película.

Guillermo del Toro sera l'invité spécial de la première projection du film récemment restauré de 1965, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told', lors de la George Stevens Lecture on Directing au Academy Museum of Motion Pictures à Los Angeles, le 17 janvier, marquant le 60e anniversaire du film.

Guillermo del Toro will be a special guest at The George Stevens Lecture on Directing's premiere screening of the newly restored 1965 film 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on January 17, marking the film's 60th anniversary.

The Devil’s Backbone review – rich, rousing ghost story is early gothic gem from Guillermo del Toro

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