Pan's Labyrinth will leave you breathless

Pan's Labyrinth

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Cast: Ivana Baquero, Maribel Verdu, Sergi Lopez

Cert: 16

A strange - but quite excellent - film from Spain that turns out to be two strange - but quite excellent - films.

One is set during the Spanish Civil War and it's a violent, disturbing tale set at the time when the war was all but over … the other is a fantasy of ancient labyrinths, fauns and a set of tasks.

That the two strands meet perfectly says much for the careful direction.

It is, then, a stunning and powerful film that looks wonderful and leaves you breathless.

Star Rating: 5/5