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The Orphanage [2007] | ![The Orphanage [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fu7lvsG4L._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
Actors: Belen Rueda, Geraldine Chaplin, Fernando Cayo
Studio: Optimum Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £11.47
You Save: £8.52 (43%)
New (18) Used (3) Collectible (1) from £8.39
Rating:  31 reviews
Sales Rank: 389
Format: Pal
Languages: English (Subtitled), Spanish (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region: 2
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 102 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5055201803207
ASIN: B0019GJ3WU
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: July 21, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: 2Disc Special Edition - Dispatched in one working day
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| Editorial 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: Read 26 more reviews...
 Disturbing September 1, 2008
Robert Machin (Hampshire, UK)
Tremendous piece of work. Properly scary in places with some excellent out of the seat moments, but much, much more than a fright-fest. Genuinely moving, with some great performances, particularly by Belen Rueda as Laura. Excellent, thoughtful story too, which really drives the horror and fear in the movie, rather than being a poor excuse for it (making it quite suitable for children of 13 or so upwards - there's no gratuitous horror in this film, and a surprisingly reassuring resolution). Beautifully and atmospherically filmed too, clearly carrying the imprint of Guillermo del Toro and much of the feel of Pan's Labyrinth. Highly recommended.
 scarier than i thought August 30, 2008
S. Mcghee
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
My cousin went to see this with her parents and said it was really good but extremely scary. I did'nt think that it would be and went to the cinema to see it. It was really tense and i did'nt want to stop looking for a second suprisingly there were moments which made me jump as they are unexpected. The film is in spanish and has english subs but dont be discouraged its still great. Not the biggest horror but still very entertaining.
Best Ghost story in years. August 29, 2008
A J Crowley (Lower Norton)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Firstly, it is a ghost story and not a horror film. Don't let this fool you into thinking that it is not extremely scary. Whether sudden shocks or drawn out suspense are your thing, the film offers both in spades. It is also beautifully shot, cleverly plotted and extremely touching.
The plot (as you probably already know...) centres around a family who move back to an orphanage where the mother (convincingly portrayed by Belen Rueda) lived during her childhood. Pretty soon things start going bump in the night...
The film skillfully deals with the ghost story cliches with which it is riddled. The emotional, psychological and supernatural elements are also perfectly balanced. The ending is undeniably downbeat, but ties up all the loose ends without being contrived.
Many films have been sited as influencing the Orphanage. I particularly think that a good reference point is Poltergeist minus the special effects and last 10 minutes of zombie nonsense.
Overall an extremely well made film which will not dissapoint.
Beautiful, gripping, moving but not a horror movie!! August 28, 2008
L. Rassam (Liverpool, England.)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had this DVD given to me because I like psychological films; for example I enjoyed The Others and The Sixth Sense. Reviews I had read on the DVD sleeve itself gave me the impression it was a horror film, and at least it would be scary. It was gripping and dark, and had me tense in places but it certainly didn't scare me. That's a good thing as I don't really like horror films; I found parts of The Sixth Sense on the scary side. In fact, it's so far removed from the horror genre that I cried at the end!! I'd really recommend this film to people who liked The Others and The Sixth Sense.
 The right ingredients... but not completely cooked August 26, 2008
Random Hangman (Surrey, UK)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
"The Orphanage" is certainly an enjoyable watch. It is beautifully shot, well acted, perfectly paced and fairly satisfying. However, the parts are greater than the sum.
Admittedly, I began watching this thinking that I was going to be seeing some sort of cross between "Don't Look Now" and "The Others", and was surprised to find that although there were occasional unsettling moments, the movie was much gentler than I was expecting. This may have slightly jaded my view (imagine sitting down to watch "Mad Max" and seeing "Herbie" instead and you can understand).
Plot wise (avoiding spoilers), couple with child move to derelict building that used to be an orphanage and strange things start to happen.
The acting really is first class by all concerned, but special mention has to go to Roger Príncep who plays Simón, the couple's child, who is one of the few genuinely non-irritating children to grace our screens in quite a few years, and is a joy to watch.
There are a couple of jumps to be had, some small chills and one moment that made me wince, but ultimately I just came away thinking that what I had watched was "ok". I certainly wouldn't suggest that people avoid this movie, but don't expect to be blown away by it.
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