Review of The Devils (1971) by Andrew K — 31 Mar 2012

This film is a masterpiece and one of the most profoundly affecting films I have ever seen, irrespective of genre or content. Provocative, evocative, ethereal, surreal, nightmarish, and above all, matter of fact, Ken Russell's 'The Devils' showcases the use of religious hysteria, paranoia, and superstition for violent political ends.

The anchor is a powerful and passionate performance by Oliver Reed as Urbain Grandier, the flawed priest who is trying to live a life of good and protect his city, just as a group of rivals are working steadily to destroy his image in order to arrest and dispose of him.

It achieves a timelessness through Derek Jarman's futuristic sets, it's atonal score, and it's hystrionic acting on the parts of the conspirators responsible for whipping the "possessed" nuns into a frenzy.

After almost 40 years, much like another 1971 picture 'A Clockwork Orange', Russell's masterwork still retains the power to shock, enthrall, and transcend the confines of the cinematic medium into a unique and singular film experience.

This is British cinema of the highest order, and is probably the best 1970s British film I have seen since Lindsay Anderson's 'O Lucky Man!', which also, like 'The Devils', has a unique sense of music used to tell the story and drive the emotions home.

See it as soon as you can!