At the beginning of the story, the mother and daughter came to rely on the stepfather of a fascist officer, but in this secluded mountain village, hiding the people of revenge and mysterious residence, the tone of the story became low and uneasy. Ofelia found the maze with a simple and mysterious Mayan style under the guidance of the elf.
Five years have passed since the end of the Spanish civil war, but the biggest European conflict to date, the second World War, is still running strong. A fairy tale loving, innocent girl, Ophelia, and her pregnant mother move into a military base in the middle of a savage and unforgiving guerrilla warfare ridden countryside of Spain.
Pan's Labyrinth, or El Laberinto del Fauno, is a film that will amaze you. Both delicate and brutal, del Toro created what he perfectly described as a fairy tale for adults.
It was 1944 in Spain, and the smoke from the civil war had not yet cleared. Major fighting in the Spanish civil war ended in 1939.
Ofelia. She is Persephone, she is Joan, she is Iphigenia.
STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning Despite going more commercial with the Hellboy films, Spanish special effects wunderkind Gullirmo Del Toro has probably made more of a name for himself with this cult, subversive independent film set against the backdrop of Franco's Spain. Shot in his native homeland, with no doubt a fraction of the budget, he's still managed to produce some incredible special effects that are truly a wonder to the eye and mind.
There are very few films which provide a viewing experience which is riveting as well as moving at the same time. Guillermo Del Toro takes us to another world in his masterpiece, Pan's Labyrinth, which is perhaps the best film he has ever made.
Pan's Labyrinth is one of the most artistic films I have seen in a while. The art direction is amazing, with sets and effects that are astonishing.
Playing moments of true wonderment off scenes of sadistic brutality, Guillermo del Toro has created an epithet for classical fairy tales reminiscent of the traditional stories which amazed - yet simultaneously frightened - children.Del Toro offers us two worlds through the perspective of young Ofelia.