Written and directed by Ken Russell, a charismatic 17th-century French priest becomes the target of a sexually obsessed nun’s witchcraft accusations, which corrupt church and state officials are all too happy to exploit. Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed, Dudley Sutton, Max Adrian, Gemma Jones, Murray Melvin, Michael Gothard, Georgina Hale and Brian Murphy.
Re-releases and restorations are fantastic things when you’re already a fan of the film, but it cannot be underestimated how wonderful it is to be able to introduce those films to a whole new audience. There’s a real joy of discovering a film that was released decades ago, but has never crossed your path, and falling in love with it. So many viewers will now have the chance to experience that with Ken Russell’s The Devils thanks to this glorious new 4K restoration director’s cut.
Firstly, the scale and design of The Devils is stunning, it’s like walking into a historical epic except instead of a long winded drama, you’re being treated to a unique, unapologetic, wild piece of religious horror. To watch its grandness and impeccable sets is enrapturing, again being something that would often come with weighty tomes but here is delivered with such a delightful humour and hysteria.
That sense of humour is possibly the most surprising element of The Devils, which in a film that takes some fantastic thematic swings, is saying something. The way that Russell manages to make sure the film doesn’t take itself too seriously, while also delivering something with such an imposing presence, is a genuinely impressive balancing act. To ground itself with that comedic vein while crafting true spectacle cinema, as it begins this gripping descent into madness, creates a unique blend of tones which is fascinating to watch.
Especially when it’s captured within the cinematography of David Watkin, which does such a phenomenal job of visually portraying the battle within The Devils. It’s akin to good and evil, though much more ethically murky, and as the two sides fight, we see such a superb clash of white versus red, it’s such a vibrant and rich aesthetic. Then later on bringing through the violence and touches of body horror intensifies things even further.
Speaking of intensity, another element which cannot be understated for how much tension, personality and wonderful wickedness it has to add to The Devils is the performances. Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed are phenomenal in this film. The presence which the two of them bring to the screen is enthralling but in such different ways. Reed’s Grandier is so suave, confident and filled with gravitas, while Redgrave’s Sister Agnes is obsessive, needling and sardonic. While they are so different, something they both achieve is creating characters who are not traditionally likable and yet they are inherently entertaining. They play with their dark sides to different degrees, but they have so much fun with it and throw everything into these roles that you can’t take your eyes off of them.
The Devils has been beautifully restored, both in its visual and in piecing it back together the way Ken Russell always intended, to give audiences a chance to truly appreciate this incredible piece of cinema. It’s a spectacle to behold, the direction and cinematography are stunning, the sound is fantastic, the sets and costumes are incredible, every single element works together to craft an immersive experience. It ticks all the right boxes visually, and thematically with its timeless story of power, propaganda and the coercive nature of collective hysteria. Then it’s all topped with such a superb cast, led by the phenomenal Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave. It’s a film best enjoyed on the big screen and UK audiences have the chance to do just that.
