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UK Mall 1 - The Orphanage [2007]
![The Orphanage [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fu7lvsG4L._SL160_.jpg)
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List Price: £19.99
Our Price: £7.99
Your Save: £ ( % )
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
Starring: Belen Rueda, Geraldine Chaplin, Fernando Cayo
Directed By: Juan Antonio Bayona
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Binding: DVD
EAN: 5055201803207
Format: PAL
Label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Optimum Home Entertainment
Region Code: 2
Release Date: 2008-07-21
Running Time: 102
Studio: Optimum Home Entertainment
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Thriller from the Spanish Team
Comment: The Orphanage, does bring sophistication in ghost stories which is rarely heard of, but Guillermo Del Toro manages to pull it off time and time again, and somehow he even managed to inject his magic into this one, which he only produced - as this very much plays out like one of his own films. Not to discredit Mr. Bayona, though, for he has done a fine job. This is a dark, powerful, and moving masterpiece that both adheres to convention and brings some new, more artistic elements to the table in the direction and storytelling.
There was nothing about this film I didn't like. The acting, the thrills, the cinematography, the story, and the atmosphere. Everything was not short of sheer brilliance. The chilling moments freaked me out a couple of times, which I'm glad they did. That was what I wanted out of this film, but I was offered so much in return. Since I knew Guillermo Del Toro was involved with this project, I had a feeling it would be good. I just didn't think it would be THIS good. It was also very heart-warming, which was something I did not expect.
The acting is great, Belen Rueda as Laura is magnificent. Fernando Cayo as the husband Carlos is also good; he looks like a Spanish version of Josh Lucas. The kids do a decent job. And seeing Geraldine Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin's daughter) was a surprise, and she delivered an excellent performance as the 'seeing' medium. The bond that Laura, Simon, and Carlos shared is very sensitive and is carried out well throughout the movie.
This is definitely one of those horror films you should see more than once. The horror films you see nowadays are weak, not scary, and most of all; not worth your time. This one is WORTH the time. Believe me, his film has absolutely everything you need to know on how to make a well-executed ghost story and more.
Customer Rating:
Summary: the twist is worth the watch
Comment: I'd heard the name going round at work, but when i woke up one morning & heard the local dj on the radio discussing this film, i knew it was time to give it a go. I read reviews which laid it out to be terrifying, so i approached it with an open mind. It is chilling, & there's a few clues early on that make you think you've guessed the twist. You haven't. And when it's revealed it makes your jaw drop to the floor. And then you'll sit there thinking about it. This film is brilliant, the subtitles are not a hindrance. Watch it!!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Not "this years Pan's Labyrinth"
Comment: This movie is unfortunately not "this years Pan's Labyrinth", as it says on the cover of the DVD (R1). Pan's Labyrinth is superior in every way. In fact, talking about horror films by spanish directors, I also think The Others is a better movie. But The Orphanage is not a bad move. It is skillfully filmed and easily evokes horror by small means (there is very little blood and gore in this film). It contains suspense, horror and some tragedy. But I also find it flawed. The characters are one-dimensional and the use of music is too much. This is a suspenseful entertainment, but not a film I will have to re-watch. 3.5 stars.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Another masterpeice
Comment: Only a few scarey moments in this film but Guillermo del toro films tend to be more about story telling for me. If you like fables/great stories told by a master of film making then look no further! buy this (his films the way they are shot and told seem to get better and better), if your looking for true horror then look elsewhere.
Customer Rating:
Summary: brilliant story
Comment:
I saw this last night and I was very impressed it. I think it uses the idea of 'unreliable narrator' very well as, right up until the final climax, you are left wondering if this is a story about ghosts or a delusional breakdown and simple case of children's games. In this way, it reminded me of Pan's Labyrinth.
I thought the acting was good, especially 'Laura.' I particularly enjoyed the fact that, unlike Hollywood schlock, the child actor was believable and, well, childlike. I would have to say, as other reviewers have said, that it doesn't fit neatly into the 'horror' genre in the way that 'Turn of the Screw' by Henry James doesn't fit neatly into literary 'horror.' It simply works on more levels than straight horror.
I would recommend this film highly.
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Editorial Reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Thriller from the Spanish Team
Comment: The Orphanage, does bring sophistication in ghost stories which is rarely heard of, but Guillermo Del Toro manages to pull it off time and time again, and somehow he even managed to inject his magic into this one, which he only produced - as this very much plays out like one of his own films. Not to discredit Mr. Bayona, though, for he has done a fine job. This is a dark, powerful, and moving masterpiece that both adheres to convention and brings some new, more artistic elements to the table in the direction and storytelling.
There was nothing about this film I didn't like. The acting, the thrills, the cinematography, the story, and the atmosphere. Everything was not short of sheer brilliance. The chilling moments freaked me out a couple of times, which I'm glad they did. That was what I wanted out of this film, but I was offered so much in return. Since I knew Guillermo Del Toro was involved with this project, I had a feeling it would be good. I just didn't think it would be THIS good. It was also very heart-warming, which was something I did not expect.
The acting is great, Belen Rueda as Laura is magnificent. Fernando Cayo as the husband Carlos is also good; he looks like a Spanish version of Josh Lucas. The kids do a decent job. And seeing Geraldine Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin's daughter) was a surprise, and she delivered an excellent performance as the 'seeing' medium. The bond that Laura, Simon, and Carlos shared is very sensitive and is carried out well throughout the movie.
This is definitely one of those horror films you should see more than once. The horror films you see nowadays are weak, not scary, and most of all; not worth your time. This one is WORTH the time. Believe me, his film has absolutely everything you need to know on how to make a well-executed ghost story and more.
Customer Rating:
Summary: the twist is worth the watch
Comment: I'd heard the name going round at work, but when i woke up one morning & heard the local dj on the radio discussing this film, i knew it was time to give it a go. I read reviews which laid it out to be terrifying, so i approached it with an open mind. It is chilling, & there's a few clues early on that make you think you've guessed the twist. You haven't. And when it's revealed it makes your jaw drop to the floor. And then you'll sit there thinking about it. This film is brilliant, the subtitles are not a hindrance. Watch it!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not "this years Pan's Labyrinth"
Comment: This movie is unfortunately not "this years Pan's Labyrinth", as it says on the cover of the DVD (R1). Pan's Labyrinth is superior in every way. In fact, talking about horror films by spanish directors, I also think The Others is a better movie. But The Orphanage is not a bad move. It is skillfully filmed and easily evokes horror by small means (there is very little blood and gore in this film). It contains suspense, horror and some tragedy. But I also find it flawed. The characters are one-dimensional and the use of music is too much. This is a suspenseful entertainment, but not a film I will have to re-watch. 3.5 stars.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Another masterpeice
Comment: Only a few scarey moments in this film but Guillermo del toro films tend to be more about story telling for me. If you like fables/great stories told by a master of film making then look no further! buy this (his films the way they are shot and told seem to get better and better), if your looking for true horror then look elsewhere.
Customer Rating:
Summary: brilliant story
Comment:
I saw this last night and I was very impressed it. I think it uses the idea of 'unreliable narrator' very well as, right up until the final climax, you are left wondering if this is a story about ghosts or a delusional breakdown and simple case of children's games. In this way, it reminded me of Pan's Labyrinth.
I thought the acting was good, especially 'Laura.' I particularly enjoyed the fact that, unlike Hollywood schlock, the child actor was believable and, well, childlike. I would have to say, as other reviewers have said, that it doesn't fit neatly into the 'horror' genre in the way that 'Turn of the Screw' by Henry James doesn't fit neatly into literary 'horror.' It simply works on more levels than straight horror.
I would recommend this film highly.
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