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THE DEVILS (Special Edition)
A film by Ken Russell
In seventeenth-century France, a promiscuous and divisive local priest, Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed), uses his powers to protect the city of Loudun from destruction at the hands of the establishment. Soon, he stands accused of the demonic possession of Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave), whose erotic obsession with him fuels the hysterical fervour that sweeps through the convent.
With its bold and brilliant direction by Ken Russell, magnificent performances by Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave, exquisite Derek Jarman sets and sublimely dissonant score by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, The Devils stands as a profound and sincere commentary on religious hysteria, political persecution and the corrupt marriage of church and state.
Finally available on DVD for the first time, The Devils is presented in the original UK X certificate version with a host of new and exciting extra features.
Special Features
- DVD premiere presentation of the original UK X certificate version
- Mark Kermode introduction (2012, 2 mins): the broadcaster and critic's newly filmed foreword to The Devils
- Audio commentary with Ken Russell, Mark Kermode, Michael Bradsell and Paul Joyce
- Hell on Earth (Paul Joyce, 2002, 48 mins): documentary exploring the film's production and the controversial history
- Director of Devils(1971, 22 mins): documentary featuring candid Ken Russell interviews and unique footage of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies recording his score
- On-set footage with Michael Bradsell commentary(2012, 8 mins)
- On-stage Q&A with Ken Russell (2012, 13 mins): the director in conversation with Mark Kermode at the NFT in 2004
- Amelia and the Angel (Ken Russell, 1958, 26 mins): a delightful mix of religious allegory and magical fantasy
- Original UK trailer
- Original US trailer
- Fully illustrated booklet featuring new essays by Mark Kermode, Craig Lapper (BBFC), and editor Michael Bradsell, with original production materials and on-set photographs
UK / 1971 / colour / English language, with main feature optional hard-of-hearing subtitles / 107 minutes / Dolby Digital mono audio (320kbps) / 1 DVD-9 + 1 DVD-5 / original aspect ratio 2.35:1 (16x9 enhanced)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
62 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
OK, so we're not getting the restored 2004 director's cut in this release it seems, or a blu-ray edition, but at least we'll have a 2.40:1 ratio good quality release of the 107 minute UK theatrical version - that has to be something to celebrate. After all, only a substandard botch of the American R-rated (104 minute) version with badly inserted deleted scenes has so far made a questionable release onto the DVD market, AND only in 1.78:1 ratio. Plus the inclusion of a commentary and the brilliant 'Hell on Earth' doc are definitely extras worth waiting for, let alone the rest that will come in this package.
'The Devils' is an absolutely outstanding film, definitely one of Russell's best, and even in this 107 minute version is an extremely powerful and disturbing piece of work. It is to be hoped that a blu-ray director's cut will see the light of day in the not too distant future. Ken is a British treasure and, with all due respect, is very advanced in years, so Warner would be advised to show him some respect and get his input into a full uncut blu-ray release before it's too late.
So well done, I say, to the BFI - I for one am very much looking forward to getting this.
Still on the wishlist: A widescreen remaster of 'Mahler' and 'The Rainbow', UK releases of 'The Boyfriend' and 'Savage Messiah' (though the Warner Archives releases in the US are very good), a special director's cut edition of 'Altered States', and availability of 'Whore' and 'Salome's Last Dance'!!!
UPDATE: Ken sadly passed away on November 27th. He will be sadly missed but always remembered as a true genius of cinema. It is to be hoped that a full retrospective of his fabulous body of work will now be underway, and decent dvd and blu-ray releases of his work will see the light of day at last!!
'The Devils' is an absolutely outstanding film, definitely one of Russell's best, and even in this 107 minute version is an extremely powerful and disturbing piece of work. It is to be hoped that a blu-ray director's cut will see the light of day in the not too distant future. Ken is a British treasure and, with all due respect, is very advanced in years, so Warner would be advised to show him some respect and get his input into a full uncut blu-ray release before it's too late.
So well done, I say, to the BFI - I for one am very much looking forward to getting this.
Still on the wishlist: A widescreen remaster of 'Mahler' and 'The Rainbow', UK releases of 'The Boyfriend' and 'Savage Messiah' (though the Warner Archives releases in the US are very good), a special director's cut edition of 'Altered States', and availability of 'Whore' and 'Salome's Last Dance'!!!
UPDATE: Ken sadly passed away on November 27th. He will be sadly missed but always remembered as a true genius of cinema. It is to be hoped that a full retrospective of his fabulous body of work will now be underway, and decent dvd and blu-ray releases of his work will see the light of day at last!!
24 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Other reviews go into detail about this not being the 2004 longer cut that restored some previously lost footage and the only version the BFI is allowed to release is the UK theatrical X certified cut. A fact that is acknowledged in Mark Kermode's filmed introduction to the film. So I will not go over that ground again, so suffice it to say even this X certificate version is almost disturbingly powerful, even for the strong stomached. Having seen the director's cut before, the absence of the rape of Christ scene was apparent to me but, and this might be a controversial view, didn't change the nature of the film in any definite way for me. In fact, it surprised me at just what imagery is still there in the UK theatrical cut. While it might not be the version that Ken Russell would have preferred to be shown, it's still infinitely superior to the butchered US cut. That, coupled with a fine transfer in the correct aspect ratio, and I'm suitably wowed.
The sound quality should not be ignored either - it's superb. I like the fact BFI use a (big by DVD standards) DD 320kbps encode for a mono soundtrack. The reverberating, unsettling score gets the room it needs to scratch away at the ear drums. I've honestly never heard the film sound so good.
The Hell on Earth documentary is excellent. It manages to cram a lot into forty-odd minutes. Probably because there isn't any fluff. The censored footage that is included here shows just how ludicrous some of the censoring is.
The Ken Russell Q&A clip had me glued. I'd have watched so much more of that if it were possible.
I have to admit, the more leisurely Director of Devils archive piece had me struggling to stay tuned in to the screen. The archival footage was fascinating, the piece as a whole just seemed to lack focus. I'm still very grateful for it's inclusion though, it's contextual place is invaluable.
I haven't had the time to digest absolutely everything yet in this feature packed DVD, including it's thick booklet which on cursory glance is packed with knowledgeable writings about the film. But I couldn't recommend this highly enough, despite this editions unavoidable flaws. Suffice it to say, I'll be treasuring this DVD but would have no qualms about buying it again on Blu-Ray or in a less censored version. I now absolutely adore this film in a way I didn't previously.
The sound quality should not be ignored either - it's superb. I like the fact BFI use a (big by DVD standards) DD 320kbps encode for a mono soundtrack. The reverberating, unsettling score gets the room it needs to scratch away at the ear drums. I've honestly never heard the film sound so good.
The Hell on Earth documentary is excellent. It manages to cram a lot into forty-odd minutes. Probably because there isn't any fluff. The censored footage that is included here shows just how ludicrous some of the censoring is.
The Ken Russell Q&A clip had me glued. I'd have watched so much more of that if it were possible.
I have to admit, the more leisurely Director of Devils archive piece had me struggling to stay tuned in to the screen. The archival footage was fascinating, the piece as a whole just seemed to lack focus. I'm still very grateful for it's inclusion though, it's contextual place is invaluable.
I haven't had the time to digest absolutely everything yet in this feature packed DVD, including it's thick booklet which on cursory glance is packed with knowledgeable writings about the film. But I couldn't recommend this highly enough, despite this editions unavoidable flaws. Suffice it to say, I'll be treasuring this DVD but would have no qualms about buying it again on Blu-Ray or in a less censored version. I now absolutely adore this film in a way I didn't previously.
24 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Spoilers
I have it on good word that this release is as good as it will ever get for The Devils. Warners US would happily destroy the negatives and consign it to memory, such is their absolute and utter loathing of this film and for its content. I also have been informed that the 2004 director's cut will NEVER be released onto DVD outside of select cinema screenings. The fact that there is no Blu Ray edition of this release (and it's the future, apparently) should be seen as 'significant' - for some reason, people want this film to vanish.
However, as other reviewers point out, let's not get down here! The theatrical UK cut is a fine version (approved by the late Ken Russell) and even though the notorious 'rape of Christ' scene has been removed - and from the 'Hell on Earth' documentary as well, though it now has extra footage to compensate - The Devils is a powerhouse of a film about corruption, cruelty and sacrifice. Russell said that it was the only truly political film he made and it is a black as midnight, fiercely raging piece of work with an eye popping visual design by Derek Jarman.
The performances are all spectacular, but the story itself is the star. I can't think of a nastier or more disturbing tale of complete religious and political corruption. The scenes of torture and the death of Grandier are a difficult watch, but Reed's flawed priest triumphs - if only spiritually - in the face of insane hypocrisy and evil.
The Devils is a masterpiece and one of the greatest films ever made by a true genius of cinema. Do not hesitate in purchasing a copy.
I have it on good word that this release is as good as it will ever get for The Devils. Warners US would happily destroy the negatives and consign it to memory, such is their absolute and utter loathing of this film and for its content. I also have been informed that the 2004 director's cut will NEVER be released onto DVD outside of select cinema screenings. The fact that there is no Blu Ray edition of this release (and it's the future, apparently) should be seen as 'significant' - for some reason, people want this film to vanish.
However, as other reviewers point out, let's not get down here! The theatrical UK cut is a fine version (approved by the late Ken Russell) and even though the notorious 'rape of Christ' scene has been removed - and from the 'Hell on Earth' documentary as well, though it now has extra footage to compensate - The Devils is a powerhouse of a film about corruption, cruelty and sacrifice. Russell said that it was the only truly political film he made and it is a black as midnight, fiercely raging piece of work with an eye popping visual design by Derek Jarman.
The performances are all spectacular, but the story itself is the star. I can't think of a nastier or more disturbing tale of complete religious and political corruption. The scenes of torture and the death of Grandier are a difficult watch, but Reed's flawed priest triumphs - if only spiritually - in the face of insane hypocrisy and evil.
The Devils is a masterpiece and one of the greatest films ever made by a true genius of cinema. Do not hesitate in purchasing a copy.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
This is simply wonderful, but not for every taste... The best film by...
AT LONG LAST!!!! A definitive issue of the original, issued, UK cut of Ken Russel's "THE DEVILS." This movie, while quite edgy, is based on explicit facts detailed in historical... Read more
Published 16 days ago by R. J. Gonzalez
CAUTION: Contains spoilers!!
The Devils remains one of the most controversial films from the past forty years or so, released now to DVD with a lavish booklet and a second disc of documentaries and other... Read more
Published 19 days ago by Prof Zebedee
Great memories, was way ahead of it's time.
Brilliant double DVD set, with uncut scenes and second DVD also brilliant with various short documentaries about how the movie came about and how it was made. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Brian Bownds
Controversial But A Masterpiece
As what most people says that The Devils was one of the most controversial film ever made, and is true. It was shocking as well which was something that you have never seen before. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Carl Chan
Ken Russell's the Devils
Back in 1971 I was in my early 20's and cinema was going through one of its best periods in terms of film quality and pushing the boundaries of what was permitted to be show on... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Leslie Parry
You and your friends will definitely talk about this film after seeing...
The film is 40 years old - but it will last forever.
'The Devils' is considered by many a masterpiece and it is in
the book: "1001 Movies You Must See Before You... Read more
'The Devils' is considered by many a masterpiece and it is in
the book: "1001 Movies You Must See Before You... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Toni Nordli
A lovingly created release from the BFI
I was coming to this film for the first time, so am not familiar with the butchered American R-rated release, or the 2004 one that was only shown in a few cinemas with all the most... Read more
Published 1 month ago by heavy_t
Happy Campers
This is probably the best I have sen this film look, certainly better than the further butchered US print first released in Australia under the then new R rating. Read more
Published 2 months ago by P. Edwards
What a rip-off...!
I have been expecting this all my life: finally a BFI official version of my favourite film of all time... digital and all...and guess what? Read more
Published 2 months ago by L. Ordieres
Timeless Devils
As has been said by others, it's been a long time coming and the quality of this DVD is great. The extras are a nice bonus, although we've seen most of them before. Read more
Published 2 months ago by samsbooksrh
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