Whatever the reasons, be it commercial or good fortune, let\u2019s just enjoy the rerelease of two of Guillermo del Toro\u2019s early and career building films: The Devil\u2019s Backbone (2001) and Cronos (1992). <\/p>\n
The Devil\u2019s Backbone is now 25 years old and while in no need of a reappraisal, it has been given a 4K restoration. And it looks magnificent with the rich colours of the barren Spanish landscapes and the darkness of the orphanage\u2019s interiors brought out.<\/p>\n
The latter\u2019s darkness serves well as 12yr old Carlos (Fernando Tielve) story unfolds. He\u2019s left in the care of people sympathetic to the \u2018red\u2019 cause just at the nationalist forces are starting to encroach. The atmosphere is charged with bullying from the other orphans and the goings on of the toxic male janitor Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega), despite the best efforts of the principles Carmen (Marisa Paredes) and Dr Casares (Federico Luppi).<\/p>\n
Unusually for a ghost story del Toro doesn\u2019t take his time with the reveal with Santi (Junio Valverde) appearing fairly early on. Santi is a ghastly creation his body grey ravaged by the wastewater he was dumped in and an ever-bleeding head wound.<\/p>\n
But the monster here, as in Pan\u2019s Labyrinth, is very much human. Jacinto has his eyes set on the gold he thinks is hidden in the orphanage and there\u2019s no length he won\u2019t go to get it. The boys recognise that and once Carlos has proved to his bullies that he\u2019s sound, action and circumstances force them to act.<\/p>\n
Set in the final days of the Spanish Civil War, that event is pretty much in the background. However, with the brutal execution of members of the foreign brigade and others wary of saying the wrong thing, there is palpable terror and paranoia throughout the film.<\/p>\n
Del Toro however is more interested in building dread and atmosphere, which he does with great skill. Equally for all the brutality of the war and the adults\u2019 shenanigans, there\u2019s still a place for empathy as the boys try to get on with life, sharing share comic books, stories and embarrassing each other about their crushes. <\/p>\n
The Collector\u2019s Edition will include copies of the film on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray, two posters including new artwork by visual artist Krishna Bala Shenoi, a 64-page booklet and an extensive offering of bonus material including audio commentaries, deleted scenes, \u2018Behind the scenes\u2019, \u2018the Making of\u2019 and an original EPK featurette, plus a brand new introduction by Guillermo del Toro himself. <\/p>\n
The Devil\u2019s Backbone with be available as a standalone release on 4K UHD for the first time & on Digital from 13th April 2026. <\/p>\n
The Devil\u2019s Backbone will also screen at the BFI later in 2026 as part of a Guillermo del Toro retrospective.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n