TC Film Club Week 6 - Pan's Labyrinth

In the falangist Spain of 1944, the bookish young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world. IMDB

Story telling and characters are a massive importance in a lot of foreign films. They tend not to go with massive cgi/blockbuster scenes. But when you bring in Guillermo del Toro to direct Pan's labyrinth, then you get the best of both worlds. Some great visuals, a foreign story that feels familiar, and characters and a story that hooks you.

For some, subtitles aren't their thing - but I hope that like other films in the list you will all give this a good watch and appreciate it.

Originally seen this on release, not seen it since, but really looking forward to another watch of it.

So points to think about are Story and Character. For those who aren't familiar with foreign films how did this one sit with you and did it feel at all welcoming?

 

This is a must watch. One of my favourite films and an absolute masterpiece.

Looking forward to watching this again.

 

Not usually into any fantasy * but this is a great film

 

Will be watching this one.

 

Franco is a *!!!

 

Fantastic film. One of the best foreign language films I've ever seen. The brutality of the fascist Franco regime against the backdrop of the innocence of childhood and the fantasy underworld is amazing.

A classic

 

It's brilliant with some really memorable moments and characters, a really great main villain. One thing I'd say to people who haven't seen it is it's not quite as fantasy oriented as you might think from its reputation, I was surprised when I watched it as I expected it to be heavier on the fantasy stuff than it was.

 

With Guillermo del toro you know what you will get, superb fantasy tale with a few good twists. Special effects
were top drawer as per & the reality of the horror of war on innocence is there for all to see.

 

Aye might give this a watch, oh and * Franco!

 

Guillermo del Toronto before he went commercial and went *. Pans Labyrinth was probably my introduction to foreign movies.

 

Guillermo del Toro is yet to release a * film, so not sure what you're getting at tbh.

 

Crimson Peak and Pacific Rim were pretty sub-par, peak especially.

They're not a patch on Pans, Devils Backbone, Croons, Hellboy...

 

Actually got a limited edition steel book blu ray of Pans Labyrinth sitting on the shelf.

 

I really enjoyed both of them, in all honesty.

Thought Pacific Rim was going to be some bog standard, blockbuster flick but it was more than that. Crimson Peak was good. Think it was just marketed wrong. Adverts suggested it was a horror, which it wasn't.

Have you seen the trailer for his next film? Looks excellent.

 

You know what man, you're right about Crimson. The trailers gave the impression of a gothic horror which actually turned out to be a gothic romance. That's why my opinion has always been a bit skewed.

The Shape of the Water looks interesting and will definitely result in a dauner over to the cinema I think.

 

Yeah I remember del Toro at the time saying it was annoying how everyone was led to believe it was a different genre than it actually was.

Just love the guy. Always great to listen to his interviews and how meticulous he is with his monsters and period designs etc.

 

Pans Labyrinth is a great movie. Inventive and thought provoking horror movie. Reeks of every childs nightmare and every adults terror. At times can seem a little too in your face with the moralising but the effects and horror are well realised. And it doesnt insult its audience.

 

@TonyStarkCSC ...

 

Sorry guys, I know I am terrible at remembering stuff.

Glad to see a few of you are still looking for the next film and wanting this to continue. Will update with week 7 (more like week 21 by now) film next.