Guillermo del Toro''s The Devil''s Backbone

Released in 2001, Guillermo del Toros The Devils Backbone marked out the director as a singular talent with the unique ability to mix the macabre with the sublime. Set during the Spanish Civil War, the film focuses on ten-year-old Carlos (Fernando Tielve), an orphan taken in by Republican sympathizers. On his first day at the orphanage, he witnesses a ghostly apparition, the spirit of a young boy named Santi (Andreas Munoz). With the ghosts help, Carlos must uncover the dark secrets that led to Santis death. Seen by del Toro as a spiritual companion piece to his Oscar-winning Pans Labyrinth (2006), The Devils Backbone explores similar themes against the backdrop of the same brutal conflict that turned ordinary men into monsters. This book is written in close collaboration with the director and provides the definitive account of the films creation, covering everything from del Toros initial musings through to the haunting designs for Santi, the hugely challenging shoot, and the overwhelming critic and fan reactions upon its release. See more