The Devils (Special Edition) [DVD] [1971]

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.

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!!

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.