'Mesmerising masterpiece' film that fans love now free to stream for free

Lord of the Rings enthusiasts are being encouraged to watch "one of the best fantasy films ever made", now available for free streaming online.

Pan's Labyrinth transports viewers back to 1944, where a young girl is sent to live with her "ruthless stepfather". Desperate to escape her grim reality, she finds herself drawn into a fantastical parallel world that brings its own terrors.

After encountering a fairy who leads her to an ancient Faun, the girl learns she is a princess and her real father is a king. However, she must demonstrate her worth through several challenging tasks - and fans can now tune in on BBC.

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The film, presented in Spanish with English subtitles, has been hailed as a must-see for Lord of the Rings devotees. It is now available for streaming on BBC iPlayer for free from today (July 26).

A BBC synopsis states: "Franco's Spain, 1944. Bookish young Ofelia, stuck in her sadistic new stepfather's army outpost, where her ailing mother is to give birth, gets drawn to a fantastical alternate world – one just as disturbing and violent as the reality around her.", reports the Manchester Evening News.

The film, which debuted in 2006, was so well-received it was eventually adapted into a book. With an impressive rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, the reviews continue to flood in.

One viewer commented: "A classic, master class film making and storytelling. Up there with The Lord of The Rings as one of the best fantasy movies ever made."

Another said: "Beautiful film that should have won more Oscars!". A third added: "A child's dreamworld and the horror of the civil war collide and entangle in an adult fantasy . A mesmerizing masterpiece."

A fourth commented: "I love this movie since the first time I watched it. It has a special place in my memory and in my heart."

Another simply said: "A masterpiece in every aspect!". One fan wrote: "This is my all time favorite movie, what a masterpiece. Check it out, you won't be disappointed."

Featuring Ivana Baquero as Ofelia and Doug Jones as Pale Man, Fauno, viewers will also witness Ariadna Gil as Carmen and Sergi López as Vidal.

Pan's Labyrinth is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.