Review of The Devils (1971) by Stephen C — 22 Mar 2012

The passing of Ken Russell is a perfect time to reflect on the career of the mad genius who gave us classic films such as this one which is considered to be his masterpiece.

Kudos then to the BFI for getting ANY sort of version of the film onto DVD cosidering the problems the studios threw up to prevent it being seen.

This is not the 2004 Rusell cut which contains some shocking missing footage ,but as a stop gap this is pretty good stuff and the restoration allows us to see the true vision of a maverick director.

Oliver Reed has never been better as Urbain Grandier the preist of Loudon who weakness for the female form will be his final undoing .

Grandier has tried to keep the walls of Loudon sealed from the world of plauge and death outside ,but when Sister Jeanne begins to tell tales of her violation by Grandier things begin to unravel ina terrible and bloody way.

Vanessa Redgrave plays the hunchbacked Jeanne with just the right amount of screaming madness and when witch hunter Father Barre turns up things go all the way up to 11.

Russell gives Barre tinted Granny glasses and a thousand yard stare ,and Michael Gothard is astounding as he rants ad raves against Grandier and his alleged crimes.

Russell never shies away from anything in this film ,nothing is taboo as he shows the rotten heart in all religions while piling on screaming nuns a wince inducing torture scene and the final destruction of Loudon and Grandier.

Some would call it over the top and camp ,i personally think its Russells masterpiece and to have it on DVD even with bits missing is a reason to celebrate.