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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: £11.50
You Save: £8.49 (42%)
New (16) Used (6) Collectible (1) from £10.00
Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 225
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
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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 24 more reviews...
 Best Ghost story in years. August 29, 2008
A J Crowley (Lower Norton)
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. E. Rassam (Liverpool, England.)
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 1 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.
Scary and Moving August 25, 2008
F. Chalmers (Scotland)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I can't recommend this film highly enough. I was totally choked by the ending. Some major jumps to look out for (I so wish I'd seen the film in the cinema. I can well imagine the audience jumping as one!) and the whole "knock on the wall" scene with the grown up Laura and children was truly terrifying.
Fantastic film August 18, 2008
S. Brown (UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
One of the most beautiful ghost stories I have ever seen, carrying in in the same vein as The Others. I disagree with reviews that belittle the ending as I thought it was extremely clever and thought-provoking. Definitely watch this film as it is truly spectacular and a great psychological horror. I have watched many spanish-language films and I have to admit that this is one of the best- I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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