Plot: During the civil war, a small orphanage is doing its best to keep itself afloat. They've removed themselves far away from the war, by locating themselves in an inhospitable domain. Carlos is new to the place, and he has trouble fitting in. There are also whispers of a ghost roaming the place, and an undetonated bomb is lodged in the middle of the court.
Watches
October 16, 2024
A fine little horror film, where Del Toro would approach Spain's Civil War from a horror perspective for the first time. It's a nice tryout for Pan's Labyrinth, though I must admit that it has lost some of its charm over the years. The ghost story is a bit too basic and the drama, while fine, isn't strong enough to carry the film.
The effects are decent, the cinematography and score are pleasant and the performances are solid. There's nothing explicitly wrong or missing from this film, except that there's nothing that stands out or makes it unique. It's a prime genre film, an easy recommendation for fans of horror and the fantastical, but it's not quite the personal favorite it used to be.
January 01, 2007
[review pending]