Criterion Collection Unveils The Artwork and Features of ‘THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE’
Though he may be known for such fantastical creature designs as what was on display in the Hellboy films, Pan’s Labrynth, and the upcoming Pacific Rim, Guillermo del Toro’s most simplistic and yet creepy film is the historical ghost story The Devil’s Backbone. More of a drama than anything, del Toro’s third feature film uses the symbol of a large bomb that landed in the square of a boy’s orphanage and failed to detonate to tell the story of restrained emotions and a hidden past that’s waiting to explode forth. Horror fans should certainly check out this 2001 film not only to see how the now famous Mexican director got his start but to also see some striking and beautiful imagery.
The Blu-ray and DVD will be released by the Criterion Collection on July 30, 2013. They are both currently available for pre-order. Check out the features found on the disc and artwork below.
DIRECTOR–APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION:
- New 2K digital film restoration, approved by director Guillermo del Toro and cinematographer Guillermo Navarro, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
- Audio commentary featuring Del Toro
- Video introduction by Del Toro from 2010
- New interviews with Del Toro about the process of creating the ghost Santi and the drawings and designs made in preparation for the film
- ¿Que es un fantasma?, a 2004 making-of documentary
- Spanish Gothic, a 2010 interview with Del Toro about the genre and its influence on his work
- Interactive director’s notebook, with Del Toro’s drawings and handwritten notes, along with interviews with the filmmaker
- Four deleted scenes, with optional commentary
- New featurette about the Spanish Civil War as evoked in the film
- Program comparing Del Toro’s thumbnail sketches and Carlos Giménez’s storyboards with the final film
- Selected on-screen presentation of Del Toro’s thumbnail sketches alongside the sections of the final film they represent (Blu-ray edition only)
- Trailer
- New English subtitle translation
- PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Mark Kermode
Michael Haffner
Somewhere between growing up on a steady diet of Saturday morning trips to the local comic-book shop, collecting an unhealthy amount of action figures, and frequent viewings of Ray Harryhausen and Hammer Horror films, came forth a nerdy boy that was torn between journalism and the arts. In high school, Michael found himself writing a movie column for the school newspaper. Yet, he went on to get a BFA in Studio Art at Webster University. When not writing about films, you can still find him discussing classic horror, collecting action figures, and reading Batman. Clearly, not much has changed.
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