Magnificent fantasy

Rating: 10/10 (19 March 2007)

Set during the last days of the Spanish Civil War, the film is about a girl who moves to live with her wicked stepfather, a sadistic fascist army captain. On her way to her new home she encounters a fairy who introduces her to the faun lives who lives in the mysterious labyrinth and tells her that she is a princess who has to complete three tasks..
Skilfully combining fantasy with war drama the film works on both levels to create a truly satisfying movie that resonates emotionally and intellectually as well as delighting with its fantastic set pieces. This is a fairy tale for adults where fantasy is juxtaposed with the very real horrors of human cruelty. An exceptional film