The Devils (1971)

kroenen

Regimen Morum
8,141
34,641
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Title: The Devils (1971)

Tagline: Hell will hold no surprises for them...

Genre: Drama, History, Horror

Director: Ken Russell

Cast: Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed, Dudley Sutton, Max Adrian, Gemma Jones, Murray Melvin, Michael Gothard, Georgina Hale, Brian Murphy, Christopher Logue, Graham Armitage, John Woodvine, Andrew Faulds, Kenneth Colley, Judith Paris, Catherine Willmer, Izabella Telezynska, Niké Arrighi, Pat Ashton, Peter Avella, Imogen Claire, Barbie Denham, Hugh Elton, Harry Fielder, Selina Gilbert, Cheryl Grunwald, Charles Price, Charles Rayford, Jack Sharp, Doremy Vernon, Twiggy, Donald Campbell, Justin de Villeneuve, Fred Peck, Tony Allen

Release: 1971-07-16

Runtime: 112

Plot: A charismatic 17th-century French priest becomes the target of a sexually obsessed nun’s witchcraft accusations, which corrupt church and state officials are all too happy to exploit.
 

kroenen

Regimen Morum
8,141
34,641


This film is finally being released in an uncut 4K restoration after decades of censorship. Directed by Ken Russell and based on the real Loudun possessions in 17th-century France, the film follows priest Urbain Grandier, who becomes the target of political and religious persecution after the Mother Superior of a local convent accuses him of corrupting her and the other nuns through demonic influence. The town is swept up in hysteria, followed by exorcisms, accusations, and torture. While The Devils became infamous for its graphic violence, sexual content, and controversial religious imagery, what still makes it disturbing today is its atmosphere of mass hysteria, fanaticism, torture, and political persecution.

Long considered one of cinema's "holy grails" due to the lack of a complete official release, this new restoration is a big deal for film fans. Restored in 4K from the original camera negative, it's the first time the film has been officially released in its complete form. The release will also serve as the launch title for Warner Bros new Clockwork label, dedicated to restoring and reissuing classic films, with a theatrical release scheduled for October 2026.
 
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Reactions: 4 users

bolok

Trakanon Raider
1,695
947
Holy seizure trailer.
Still can’t find any details on theatres for the showings. :(
 

Chanur

Shit Posting Professional
<Aristocrat╭ರ_•́>
35,777
66,554


This film is finally being released in an uncut 4K restoration after decades of censorship. Directed by Ken Russell and based on the real Loudun possessions in 17th-century France, the film follows priest Urbain Grandier, who becomes the target of political and religious persecution after the Mother Superior of a local convent accuses him of corrupting her and the other nuns through demonic influence. The town is swept up in hysteria, followed by exorcisms, accusations, and torture. While The Devils became infamous for its graphic violence, sexual content, and controversial religious imagery, what still makes it disturbing today is its atmosphere of mass hysteria, fanaticism, torture, and political persecution.

Long considered one of cinema's "holy grails" due to the lack of a complete official release, this new restoration is a big deal for film fans. Restored in 4K from the original camera negative, it's the first time the film has been officially released in its complete form. The release will also serve as the launch title for Warner Bros new Clockwork label, dedicated to restoring and reissuing classic films, with a theatrical release scheduled for October 2026.

I'll absolutely pick this up if it comes to disc.
 
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Reactions: 1 user

Adebisi

Clump of Cells
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21,904
Never heard of this movie until recently since apparently there's some buzz around it being censored for so long and lost scenes restored.

I wanted to see what the fuss was about and found it to be a very entertaining and stunningly shot movie. It feels insanely ahead of it's time with the brilliant and purposeful shot composition.
 

Adebisi

Clump of Cells
28,821
21,904
Screenshot_20261018_082947_Letterboxd.jpg
 

Szlia

Member
6,784
1,526
Thanks for nothing. I was like "Oh! I saw this movie a couple years back at the NIFFF", checked... it was in 11 years ago :( I am not sure of the version I saw, but obviously not the 4k restauration. It might have been the early 2000 director's cut that was compiled from some archive that was found at Warner but was never released on home media and rarely screened. So, content-wise, probably somewhat similar to this restauration (without the restauration process obviously).

The film itself did not leave a big impression on me.
 
Movie information in first post provided by The Movie Database