El labarinto del fauno

"El labarinto del fauno" was called "Pan's Labyrinth" when it was released in the U.S. "The Faun's Labyrinth" is the literal translation, and it fits the nature of the film better. Ofelia is a young girl whose mother has married a Captain in Spanish army after the Civil War. She and her mother who is pregnant go to be with him in the countryside. In the woods around the place where the captain is living there are members of the resistance. With good reason Ofelia does not like her stepfather. Mercedes, who is a servant in the captain's household, has a brother in the resistance. She is secretly helping them. She is one of the strongest female characters in film. While Ofelia and her mother are on their way to the country she encounters what looks like a large insect, but she says that it is a fairy. It does turn out to be one. When they arrive Ofelia finds an ancient labyrinth. During the night the fairy who had followed her to her new home takes her down the labyrinth where she meets the faun. He tells her that she is a princess and she has three tasks to do so that she can return to her true father. Her stepfather is heartless. It is clear that the only reason that he married Ofelia's mother is so that he can have a son. He does not care about her, but he does pretend to do so in front of her. He tells the doctor that it is important that his son lives even if it means the death of the mother of the child. There is an interesting blend of "reality" in the battle between the forces of Fascism and the Resistance and the realm of "fantasy" where there good and evil represented. Evil is represented there by the Pale Man who has been known to eat children when he is awakened. There are some scenes of violence, but it is a movie that is worth watching.