Review of The Devils (1971) by Joshua H — 09 Nov 2012

Madness reigns in this highly controversial romp of excessive violence, religious insanity and repressed sexuality. Finally released in its fully uncut form, this is simultaniously a damning indictment of religious opression and yet a tale of divine redemption; an account of rampant sexuality but also of sacred union.

Ken Russell pushes the limits in every regard (resulting in 40 years of censorship) and the outcome is a strikingly political and religious film that maintains a focus on humanity while relishing in one of history's most inhuman moments.

Unflinching in its content yet poetic in its vision, this attains an artistic level that something like The Passion of the Christ can only pray for. Jean-Luc Godard once descibed Bresson's 'Au Hasard Balthazar' as "the entire world in 90 minutes", I would say Ken Russell's shocking masterpiece perhaps closer fits that label.

10/10.