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The Devils

The Devils

Ken Russell

  • 1971
  • Great-Britain
  • History drama / Horror
  • 1h53mn
  • Original version with French subtitles
  • Color
Loudun, in the 17th century. Father Grandier tries to protect the city from Cardinal Richelieu’s tightening grip. Accused of witchcraft by Sister Jeanne who is struggling against her sexual demons, Grandier is arrested. As hysteria spreads beyond the convent walls, his trial begins.
Dominated by Oliver Reed’s monstrous presence, all in flesh and pain, opposite an unleashed Vanessa Redgrave, The Devils, beyond its infamous reputation, remains a fantastic descent into the abysses of History, angry, blasphemous, and furious. Far from just nourishing his provocateur troublemaker image, Ken Russell proved his visionary brilliance with this putrefied gem, conveying today’s horrors through anachronic representations of the past. If the perfect film doesn’t exist, The Devils comes dangerously close.

Stephen Sayadian

I first saw The Devils in 1971, and it changed my life. I knew nothing about the film, but it was a midnight show — and that always meant something outlandish. My friend and I split a tab of LSD, which was our preferred snack while viewing witching-hour movies (I was tripping for both Freaks and El Topo and came away without any Syd Barrett–like tendencies). The LSD kicked in just as the title card — Directed by Ken Russell — came on and then, madness. Ten minutes in, my friend whispered, "Is this the movie or the acid?"

Nearly struck mute by what was on screen, I managed to spit out, "It's the acid... for the sake of humanity, let it be the acid." A week later, I went back to the cinema and watched it completely straight. By the end of the picture, I knew that I wanted to become a visual artist. I didn't have to be a filmmaker — any medium would do — as long as my images were as original and audacious as Ken Russell's The Devils.

Screenings

09/09 • 21h45 • Screen 300
Session presented by Stephen Sayadian

Credits

  • With : Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed, Dudley Sutton, Max Adrian, Gemma Jones...
  • Screenplay : Ken Russell (based upon the John Whiting play based on Aldous Huxley's story)
  • Photography : David Watkin
  • Editing : Michael Bradsell
  • Music by : Peter Maxwell Davies
  • Production : Robert H. Solo, Ken Russell