Pan's Labyrinth (2 Disc Set) [2006] [DVD]

I bought this film a while ago, but only just got round to watching it this evening. It is incredibly good - probably one of the best films I've ever seen.

For those expecting some kind of Disney-esque fairy tale or a pure fantasy film, you will be disappointed since this is far more in the vein of fairy tales as they were originally - cautionary tales or lurking danger. It is hard hitting and graphically violent, very much depicting the vicious reality of the Spanish Civil War and the brutality of the Franco regime. Nevertheless, it is a gripping tale of perils to be overcome, both real and fantastical, by the young protagonist, Ofelia. Disturbing, moving and unpredictable it is a film I would recommend to anyone who doesn't mind their reality painted in flesh and blood colour and their fantasy a little on the dark side.

Be warned, I am surprised this film got a 15 rating - it is not for the faint of heart and not one that I'd describe as a popcorn or family film by any stretch of the imagination!

The idea of a child escaping from the misery of the oppressive, adult world into a fantasy land of fairy tales, monsters and legends is as old as storytelling. The success of the Harry Potter series and the recent cinema remake of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is testament to the desire of all ages to escape from the humdrum into fantastical worlds. Even Lord of the Rings sees the Hobbits take on a heroic quest away from their normal lives. Cinema in an age of exquisite computer graphics is perfectly suited to giving visual representation to the imaginations of even the most vivid and creative of souls.

And few people would have as creative or daring an imagination as the director behind Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno) Guillermo Del Toro. The vicious backdrop to the fantasy is the fisling, futile end of the Spanish Civil War. With Franco's forces victorious across Spain, the Republican forces are forced into remote areas, in to the forests and into hiding. The heroine of the story is Ofelia (Baquero), whose mother is heavily pregnant with the son of her step-father, the wicked Commandant grittily played by López.

The Commandant is posted to a rural area, and charged with rooting out and destroying the rebel forces. He has called for his wife and her daughter to be by his side, as it is proper for a son to be born in the same place as his father. It soon becomes clear that the ruthlessness and cruelty which has allowed the Commandant to forge a successful military career in civil war ravaged Spain is played out in his family life. His wife is firmly under his control, and the whimsical and dreaming step-daughter is terrified into compliance.

Against the backdrop of attacks, brutal army control and oppressive adults, Ofelia reverts to the fairy-tales she loves. She is chastised by her mother for bringing a bulging satchel of books, and soon finds herself in the middle of a real fairytale. She discovers she is the daughter of the king of the underworld, and must undertake three tasks set by the fawn of the title.

The world dreamt by Guillermo Del Toro is fantastical, richly and darkly portrayed and ultimately dreadfully gothic. It is a fairytale hewn from the richest traditions of the Brothers Grimm and the dark forests of a primeval Europe. The fawn is at turns kindly and then devil like in intensity. The tasks Ofelia must undertake are dangerous and bring her into even more fantastic worlds.

The genius of this film is not to allow Ofelia to abandon the real, adult world to pursue the fantasy adventures. Instead the horrible reality of her situation continues to grind on, making her escape into the fantasy even more urgent until it reaches its complete and tragic conclusion.

This is not a light fairytale, or something suitable for children. The Commandants brutality is illustrated in graphic scenes of `justice' meted out to the rebels. He is not shy of torture, and whilst this is not demonstrated as in films like Hostel, the build up is somehow yet more disturbing. The rebels are brutal in turn, and such gore actually saw me hiding behind fingers. At the same time the more horrific characters hewn from Del Toro's imagination, most notably the child-eater, are truly terrifying.

Dark, twisted and ultimately stunning, this film marries the horrific fairy-tale fantasy with the horrors of war to dazzling, stunning effect. This is a tour de force by a film maker who hopefully has many more spectacles left to share.

It seems wrong to describe this film as a mere fairytale for adults - it's so much more.

There are many reviews on here so I won't give a synopsis, I'll simply express my views on this fabulous film.

The contrast between the post-Civil war ridden Spain and the paranormal fantasy world works brilliantly, you are left wondering who are the real monsters - the ones pitted against the 12 year old fairytale loving Ofelia, or the Franco regime supporting Captain Vidal? The ugliest moments in the film aren't ones involving monsters, they involve Vidal - and they are brutal; repeatedly smashing an innocent man's nose until his death, in front of his father was a scene which stayed with me long after the film had finished.

You get a real sense of the danger Ofelia is in when she becomes witness to the rebels who steal from Vidal's camp, Vidal's savage attitude to the rebels is uncomfortable to watch, but resonates as this is probably a pretty accurate portrayal of Spain in the late `30s early `40s.

As with most good films, it is the human story which bonds the movie together, and in this film we have a Ofelia's sick pregnant mother, the rebels whom we sympathise with, and of course Ofelia herself. You can't help but care what happens to characters in this film - and at times the film is heart rending, especially the end.

You are left wondering if the fantasy world of fauns and monsters is real, or something imagined by Ofelia in order to escape from the hideous world she finds herself part of.

The film is casted perfectly, with Ivana Baquero as the central character of Ofelia. Her screen test left people in tears - enough to convince Del Toro that she was perfect for the role despite being older than what he initially imagined Ofelia should be. The extra year or two allows more scope with Ofelia though, as she is more aware of what is happening around her which adds to the tension.
After Ofelia, the most dominating character is Vidal, and Sergi López is scarily convincing as the brutish Captain. In fact, Vidal is probably one of the scariest characters I have ever seen on screen. Del Toro was adamant that Sergi López should fill this role, despite him being regarded as a comedy actor. I can imagine that his performance is even more striking to those used to seeing him in funny roles.

The film is directed superbly, with a golden, almost sepia tone to the colours which give a feel of history and an added magic to the fairytale side of the feature. Make up and effects are top notch and the fantasy characters are extremely creepy and never feel over done. The subtitles aren't cheesy American ones which gloss over the plot, they were written by Del Toro himself (who also wrote the film) to ensure they reflected the film faithfully, it's a shame more directors don't take as much pride in their work.

In a nutshell then: This feels like two strong films in one - and both complement each other well. With a few disturbing scenes, this isn't one for the kids. It manages to capture the hideousness of war, and the innocence of a child. Visually it is fantastic and probably like nothing you've ever seen before, and the end? Well, you decide for yourself if it's real or not.