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The Devils (1971)

The Devils (1971)
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The Devils was the Ken Russell film version of the controversial play by John Whiting. The story, based on Aldous Huxley's The Devils of Loudun, concerns controversial 17th century French priest Urbain Grandier, whose radical political and religious notions and profligate sex life earn him many enemies. When a group of nuns appears to have been "bewitched" by Grandier, his rivals feed on the resulting mass hysteria, using this incident as an excuse to have the priest arrested. Refusing to confess to being in league with Satan and to renounce his "heretical" views, Grandier undergoes appalling tortures, and is finally burned at the stake. Vanessa Redgrave co-stars as the head nun. Due to censorship issues in virtually every country in which The Devils has been released, running times vary greatly. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Vanessa RedgraveOliver Reed, (more)
Director(s):
Ken Russell
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Devils

The Devils was the Ken Russell film version of the controversial play by John Whiting. The story, based on Aldous Huxley's The Devils of Loudun, concerns controversial 17th century French priest Urbain Grandier, whose radical political and religious notions and profligate sex life earn him many enemies. When a group of nuns appears to have been "bewitched" by Grandier, his rivals feed on the resulting mass hysteria, using this incident as an excuse to have the priest arrested. Refusing to confess to being in league with Satan and to renounce his "heretical" views, Grandier undergoes appalling tortures, and is finally burned at the stake. Vanessa Redgrave co-stars as the head nun. Due to censorship issues in virtually every country in which The Devils has been released, running times vary greatly. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Complete Cast of The Devils


Director(s):
Ken Russell
Writer(s):
Ken Russell
Producer(s):
Robert SoloKen Russell
The Devils Awards:
  • 1971 - National Board of Review - Best Director
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Member Reviews
 
Denise F.

I remember being told I would be excommunicated from the Catholic church if I were to see this movie. Which I did. I beleive The Devils give you another side of the Catholic Church's history and its control over towns during the 1700-1800's. They had just as much of control and power as did the Kings. The head priest had his way with the all the women and the nuns. How the Catholic Churches cover-ups started. It give you insite as to why the priest beleive they are above the law. I loved the movie and I hope it becomes available on DVD.

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Henry L.

I caught this as a teen in the early 80's on satellite tv. I thought I was tuning in to a cheezy horror flick but was totally caught off guard by this one. Lets just say I was mesmerized and could not get it off my mind for years. I have been looking for this to finally be available for a long time. Many versions are said to exist and I'm sure the Blockbuster version will be extremely tame. Lets just say Ken Russell is over the top with this one but it is a fascinating movie and should not be missed. Way out there for 1971.

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Diane C.

How do you expose the demented excesses of tyrants without falling prey to floundering melodrama or insidious arrogance yourself? You give the entire situation a satirical twist.

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