THE DEVILS
Starring: Oliver Reed, Vanessa Redgrave, Dudley Sutton, Max Adrian, Gemma Jones, Murray Melvin, and Michael Gothard
Director: Ken Russell
ADELAIDE
Deliriously horny, demonic, and provocative, director Ken Russell’s masterpiece has been released with a definitive re-edit that cements its legacy as the Mecca for cinephilic perverts. When looking beyond its lurid material, the destruction of a city that stood in the way of Cardinal Richelieu’s (Christopher Logue) attempt to centralize Louis XIII’s (Graham Armitage) control of France, Russell also creates a beautiful city in Loudun. The set design and artistic attention to detail is incredible and pairs well with the remastered color correction, lending the film to a stunning color palette that enraptures you if ever the carnal desires leave you wanting for more.
QUENTIN
I’m not sure if the narrative surrounding The Devils inflated my expectations, or if I’ve just seen so much shit in my old age that the most controversial movie of 1971 simply doesn’t move the needle for me — either way, this was a generally meh experience. It’s just an old movie with all the trappings that come with watching a 55-year-old movie for the first time. It obviously looks and feels dated, but the story is pretty messy too. On the plus side, Oliver Reed is magnetic. I don’t know…I guess I wanted to be shocked, but I only found myself shocked by how dull it all was.
KATIE
Once subject to heavy censorship over its provocative religious themes, the re-released version of Ken Russell’s The Devils is a revelation. Exploring repression, political corruption, and the confines of Catholicism, The Devils is an epic, biblical film permeated with depravity, eroticism, knowing humour, and psychological horror. Amongst its perverse sexual decadence and jaw-dropping production design is a shocking tale about the audaciously manipulative tactics employed by agents of the Monarchy. Plus, Oliver Reed is stunningly compelling as the charming Father Grandier. The Devils is an ineffable viewing experience, and I am thrilled I experienced the truest version of the film in the cinema.
