Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

The Orphanage Blu-ray Movie Review

It's a hard-knock (undead) life.

Reviewed by Justin Dekker August 23, 2024

2007's 'The Orphanage', produced by Guillermo del Toro, returns to Blu-ray in this deluxe box set courtesy of Imprint. The film directed by J. A. Bayona sees Laura (Belén Rueda) returning to the orphanage that was her childhood home and setting off a horrific chain of events after her own adopted young son goes missing. Limited to 1500 copies, this release is packaged with a second disc of supplemental material as well as a 44-page perfect-bound booklet containing two essays and several stills from the film. Both discs and the booklet are housed in an attractive box.

For an appreciation of the film, please refer to the previous Blu-ray review by following this link.

The Orphanage Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Based on what I was able to discern, this transfer appears identical to the VC-1 encoded 1080p transfer used on the US release, or is at least startlingly similar. Please follow this link for a video assessment.

The Orphanage Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Based on what I was able to hear when playing this disc, this DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio track sounds identical to that of the previous US Blu-ray release. Please follow this link for a discussion of the track. English subtitles are available.

The Orphanage Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Imprint's release of The Orphanage is loaded with on-disc content that is a mix of what was found on US and foreign releases of the Blu-ray disc, much of which is located on Disc Two. Additionally, several newly created features are added to this release and are found on Disc One. As is sometimes the case, the supplemental material may contain significant spoilers without any spoiler warnings (!), so viewers should be sure to see the film before diving into this treasure trove of content. This release does not contain the "Still Galleries" found on the US release, but it does contain some of the material found under the "Marketing Campaign" heading although here it is referred to as "US Teaser and Theatrical Trailer" and "International Teaser and Theatrical Trailer". However, it is important to note that the material that was found in the "Poster Explorations" tab of the "Marketing Campaign" heading is also absent from this release.

Booklet (44 Pages):

• Familiar Spirits: Motherhood and the Supernatural in J. A. Bayona's 'The Orphanage' by Francesco Massacessi -

• 'The Orphanage' and the Cruelty of Hope by Bryan Reesman

Disc One:

• Audio Commentary by Author Xavier Aldana Reyes (2023) - New. Please note: this commentary track contains spoilers. In this wide-ranging commentary, begins by discussing the importance of the involvement of Guillermo del Toro who began an association with Bayona at the time his film Chronos> was released. Dr. Reyes, a Reader in English Literature and Film at Manchester Metropolitan University and is also a founding member of the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies, is obviously very comfortable with and well-versed in the film as some of his comments pertain to the on-screen action, while others do not. His knowledge of the genre also shines through as he discusses Bayona's influences and allusions made to other films (such as Jaws), how this film differs from other Spanish horror films, and how certain works of literature, such as Henry James' The Turn of the Screw had an impact on the script and the finished film as well. Time is given to key members of the cast, for instance, discussing Belén Rueda's casting as due in part to her angular features being reminiscent of Spanish horror films from the '70s, and her role as Laura giving her an opportunity to play a character quite different from those she portrayed on television. It's an interesting and enlightening commentary.

• Small Spectres & Uncanny Children in J. A. Bayona's 'The Orphanage' (20.30) - New. This 2023 video essay by author Miranda Corcoran discusses the unreadability, strangeness, and "otherness" of children. Corcoran reads her essay as clips from the film and other images play under it, starting with how the view and understanding of children have changed over time, how it translated into Gothic literature and cinema, and the importance and symbolism of masks and other topics. It is brisk and interesting. (In English.)

• Guilt as Identity in 'The Orphanage' (13.30) - New. Film scholar Dr. Rachel Knightly's 2023 video essay focuses on Laura and her grief after her son's disappearance and her guilt for not listening to and, more importantly, believing Simón. The essay is read over relevant clips from the film. (In English.)

• Interview with Director Jan Antonio Bayona and Guillermo del Toro (8.41) - Mixed with clips from the film del Toro starts by discussing this film's similarities with Pan's Labrynth and Peter Pan while Bayona opens with his thoughts on the script before ruminating on Laura's journey, fantasy, and other topics.

• Deleted Scenes (20.23) - The scenes include: "Alternative Ending", "Alternative Opening", "Tomás's Den", "Extended Scene with Benigna", "Extended Scene at the Police Station", "The Swing Scene", "Extended Argument Scene", "Blind Party Scene", and "Extended Cave Scene". All play with commentary in Spanish with English subtitles.

• Storyboard Comparisons (6.37) - Scenes featuring the storyboard drawings alongside clips from the film include: "The Seance", "The Treasure Hunt", and "Thomas Appears".

• Shooting the Credits (2.41) - Witness the creation of the film's distinctive credits sequence beginning with footage of children ripping large sheets of paper to create the final effect.

• US Teaser and Theatrical Trailer (2.46)

• International Teaser and Theatrical Trailer (2.55)

Disc Two:

• When Laura Grew Up: Deconstructing 'The Orphanage' (17.58) - Cast and crew discuss the making of the film. (Spanish with English subtitles.)

• Tomás's Secret Room: The Filmmakers - 5 Featurettes (10.43) - 1.) Neophytes: The Director, Editor, and key members of the crew discuss working on their first film; 2.) An Echo Waiting to be Heard: Composer Fernando Velazquez discusses scoring the film; 3.) Believe and You Will See: Director J. A. Bayona talks about the film's set; 4.) 200: A look at the film's visual effects; 5.) Ready, Set, Rip: The making of the unique opening credits. (Spanish with English subtitles.)

• Horror in the Unknown: The Make-up Effects (9.23) - Legacy featurette. Take a look at the special make-up effects used in the film with Montse Ribé and David Martí. (Spanish with English subtitles.)

• Rehearsal Studio: Cast Auditions and Table Read (3.43) - J. A. Bayona covers the inhibitions he had, and how he overcame them when working with the actors on his first film. (Spanish with English subtitles.)

• The Making of 'The Orphanage' (12.37) - Director J. A. Bayona, Producer Guillermo del Toro, Screenwriter Sergio G. Sánchez and various members of the cast talk about their experiences making this modern-day classic ghost story intercut with clips from the film and rehearsal footage. The adult actors also delve into their characterizations. (Spanish with English subtitles.)

• The Set of 'The Orphanage' (2.40) - From blueprints to the finished product, viewers can witness the creation of the massive set used for the interiors of The Orphanage. (Spanish with English subtitles.)

• The Sound of 'The Orphanage' (7.07) - Sound Designer Oriol Tarragó takes viewers through a scene in the film to show layer by layer how the final results were achieved. (Spanish with English subtitles.)

• Animatics (9.04) - This feature focuses on several scenes from the film and how animatics aided in visualizing and shooting them. (Spanish with English subtitles.)

• Lighting the Darkness (5.36) - Cinematographer Oscar Faura shares his thoughts on lighting and a desire to give every shot as natural and realistic a look as possible, the challenges he faced on-set and on location, and changes made to support the evolution of the characters.

• Roger Princep: The Casting (9.12) - Included here is Roger Princep's casting footage as he auditions for the role of Simón intermixed with rehearsal footage, comments from Director J. A. Bayona, and clips from the film. (Spanish with English subtitles.)

• Projections (4.02) - Rough footage of Tomás and others.

• Q & A With Director Juan Antonio Bayona (42.34) - This Q & A features Director Juan Antonio Bayona and Sound Designer Oriol Tarragó fielding questions as moderated by Mark Kermode and translated by Corina Poote. Guillermo del Toro was to attend as well, but bowed out due to illness and was replaced by Tarragó. Filmed around the time of The Orphanage's UK theatrical release, after Kermode lays the basic groundwork with some general questions, he opens the floor to the London audience at the Curzon Mayfair cinema.

The Orphanage Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Orphanage, produced by Guillermo del Toro and helmed by first-time director J. A. Bayona, was an immediate favorite of mine upon its release in 2007. Equal parts melodrama, ghost story, and psychological horror, the film charts Laura's unraveling due to the guilt and loss Laura feels after her adopted son goes missing while she was trying to regain some of the magic and happiness of her youth by purchasing the orphanage where she seemingly spent some of the best days of her life. Slow-moving and genuinely creepy, the film leans into ambiguity and allows the viewer to draw their own conclusions as the film progresses before coming to a truly memorable and fitting end. Imprint's package is fantastic, offering viewers a wealth of supplemental material on the two included discs as well as a solid pair of essays in the included 44-page booklet, all housed in a handsome box. For fans of the film, Imprint's The Orphanage, limited to 1500 copies, comes highly recommended.