- Producers: Guillermo Del Toro
- Format: Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language Spanish
- Subtitles: English, Spanish
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: R (Restricted) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: New Line Home Video
- DVD Release Date: 22 April 2008
- Run Time: 105 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (143 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0015ET3YO
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 95,088 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Backed by Guillermo del Toro and yet made by a surprisingly inexperienced group of film makers (especially considering the end result), The Orphanage is a chilling, tense supernatural thriller that could certainly teach more established directors a thing or two about how to send shivers down the spine.
It tells the story of a woman, Laura, returning to the orphanage where she was raised as a child. Her plans are to look after sick children there, but it doesn’t take long for things to go awry. Without giving too much away, visions from her past and a threat to her own family are the starting points for a complex and quite haunting thriller, that stays in the mind long after the credits have rolled.
A film that works on more than one level, The Orphanage really is some piece of work. Juan Antonia Bayona, behind the camera, generates an incredibly atmospheric mood that underpins the film, and wisely takes time to put pieces in place. He’s aided by a terrific cast, and an unsettling screenplay that layers in an uneasy horror that’s as anti-Hollywood as it comes.
The result of all of this is one of the scariest films of recent times, and yet something that still manages to be that little bit more, that sticks in your mind for some time afterwards. Make no mistake, The Orphanage really is something different, and all the better for it. --Jon Foster
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of the best films I have seen in a long time and perhaps the most powerful and moving. Reviewers debate whether the film is a 'horror' or not - well for me at least, I found it genuinely chilling and scary and can think of few other so called horror films that had a profound and emotional effect on me. Infact I would go as far as to say very few films have ever given me the chills - but this did. More than that I was weeping like a emotional wreck by the end. It is fortunate that the wife hates watching sub titled films so I was able to 'experience' this without the indignity of others witnessing it!
Set in Spain and subtitled for nthe non spanish speaking, the film is a well conceived 'haunted house story' delivered in a manner similar to The Others and containing an atmospheric feel akin to the excellent Pan's Labrinth and Dont Look Now. For those who haveendured the loss or fear of losing a child - this story is both impactful and full of empathy. Carefully crafted, mature and intelligent in composition - a dark horse of a masterpiece. Supremely well acted and directed and highly recommended,
Set in Spain and subtitled for nthe non spanish speaking, the film is a well conceived 'haunted house story' delivered in a manner similar to The Others and containing an atmospheric feel akin to the excellent Pan's Labrinth and Dont Look Now. For those who haveendured the loss or fear of losing a child - this story is both impactful and full of empathy. Carefully crafted, mature and intelligent in composition - a dark horse of a masterpiece. Supremely well acted and directed and highly recommended,
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I have just finished watching this movie and I am in tears.
(And I'm a guy).
Tears, not through fear, but through emotion.
I have never before watched a film with such an incredible plot, twists, and final scene as this.
Yes it makes your hair stand up on end, (time and time again) yet there is little violence if any.
Yes there are creepy scenes and darkness, but this is after all a scary film. It meant to scare you and it does, I lost count how many times I said 'freaky' outloud and felt really un-nerved.
Yet it has a mind blowing end sequence that is just so moving, so touching that you must watch this utterly superb film.
10/10 - never seen anything like it.
(And I'm a guy).
Tears, not through fear, but through emotion.
I have never before watched a film with such an incredible plot, twists, and final scene as this.
Yes it makes your hair stand up on end, (time and time again) yet there is little violence if any.
Yes there are creepy scenes and darkness, but this is after all a scary film. It meant to scare you and it does, I lost count how many times I said 'freaky' outloud and felt really un-nerved.
Yet it has a mind blowing end sequence that is just so moving, so touching that you must watch this utterly superb film.
10/10 - never seen anything like it.
45 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Less is more.
Firstly, let me say we are not lovers of horror films and by that I mean slasher movies and the like but now and then, my better half and I, like to be what we think is reckless,... Read more
Published 3 days ago by JudgeMental
No subtitles!
Impossible really for me to rate this item, as the subtitles simply do not come up. Tried it all ways, all to no avail. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Cazzie
very disapointed person
i am very disapointed with this dvd do not know what it was about as it is in spanish and i happen to be english
when i purchased the dvd it did not say that it was in spanish... Read more
when i purchased the dvd it did not say that it was in spanish... Read more
Published 1 month ago by melo
The Orphanage
If you are looking for another 'Pan's Labyrinth' from Guillermo Del Toro - then this is not it!
But it is a first class film. Read more
But it is a first class film. Read more
Published 1 month ago by R. J. Chippendale
Absolutely stunning!!
Wow!!! is all I can say about this film, I bought it based on everyone else's reviews, and I was so glad I did, I have never seen a 'horror' film that moved me to tears, but this... Read more
Published 2 months ago by H20
To me it was just ok
Recorded this on tv so wasn't expecting much. I can't be doing with subtitles so that annoyed me anyway but did quite enjoy the story. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Carlyflower
Where are the subtitles? I can't speak Spanish...
This film sounded brilliant & I was looking forward to watching it but upon playing it most of the subtitles are missing. Read more
Published 3 months ago by alrightpickle
Beautiful Story of a mother's unconditional love for her child
I loved this film and it is one of my favourites. I watched this once before in the cinema.
It is a psychological ghost story and it is mainly about a mother's unconditional... Read more
It is a psychological ghost story and it is mainly about a mother's unconditional... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Maria Carmen (UK)
Wonderfully crafted ghost story.
Laura returns with her family to the orphanage she grew up in as a child, she reopens it for handicapped children and all is going to plan until her son starts communicating with... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Spike Owen
Haunting but beautiful!
This movie, like its predecessor 'pans Labyrinth'is another one of Guillermo del Toro's genius creations. Read more
Published 3 months ago by S.I
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