I'll just leave this here: https://www.petitiononline.com/Grandier/

Talking of your piracy blog, get this version online. The world can see it. And it will get a release if the big studios want to see any of the money they are losing by not releasing it.....

I would like to ask the following question? With the ever growing multiples to which our cinemas have combusted, why is it not humanly possible to have one lonely screen showing such great movies as The Devils. The world is full of people who haven't had the pleasure of such movies in big screen format. Surely large multiplex companies could dedicate one screening, on one night and tour some of the classic movies of the last 50 years around the country. With the right film choices, people would flock...

I am a fan of Russell’s work and The Devils is one of his best films.

I managed to catch The Devils late at night on C4 a few years ago as part of a short ‘Banned’ season; though it wasn’t the full directors cut. If C4 could get hold of a copy why can’t others?



The Catholic Church must have quite a powerful lobby for Warners to still be shy about re-releasing it; that’s the only reason I can think of for why it’s still unavailable.

I'd hate to be the kill joy, but Warner will never release it on dvd. For the simple reason, that they don't want the hassel of trying to defend a 40 year old movie to Fox News and other the far right media outlets.



The right wing Christian media would call a boycott on all Warner products, as well as calling for the head of the person(s) who decided to release the movie to resign, whilst there will be death threats made against the Warner Brothers studios by Christian extremists.



Christians in America outnumber left wing liberals all across the country, 52 percent of Amercans living in all 44 states think that Obama isn’t an American, that he comes from Kenya, and that he is a Muslim, and not a Christian.



Warner are probably thinking that it’s easy to not release it on DVD, because the right wing Christian America are ignorant and stupid enough as it is, without adding fuel to the fire.

@ TheThinker66 #3



Why not? Because people DON'T go. A while ago they did this with Scarface, Spartacus, Animal House, The Blues Brothers and a few others. People didn't show up (I think there were about a dozen for Scarface) in great numbers, they DIDN'T flock to them. It's more profitable for the plexes to keep the new Adam Sandler movie on for that extra day - if not for the ticket sales, then for the increased sales of fizzy pop and nachos.

Stick the missing bits on YouTube. Do it under a fake name if there's any issues over privacy, and deny it was you. Then sit back and watch the hits mount up. Once they reach a few million, Warner's will see nothing but dollar signs and release the full restored version.

I have a DVD of The Devils which I'm sure is the full cut. The quality is shoddy throughout but particularly bad during the Rape of Christ sequence, which I'm sure is there in its entirety because several sections are glimpsed in the Hell On Earth documentary.



I can't make any great claim to really understand the film but as far as I do I certainly think it's something special, and one of the three most powerful moments (and they really merit the term) is the cutting between Murray Melvin's contorting face and the writhing, naked nuns during the controversial sequence. I'd love to see the film in something better than diabolical quality and will be doing what I can to get to the East End Film Festival.



@ Stuart Yates

I agree that the groups you mention could well take issue with the film's release, but d'you not think that said release wouldn't necessarily catch their eye? It's a 40 year old British film which has been under the radar most of that time (it's not like A Clockwork Orange which built up a real cult fanbase), Ken Russell isn't a household name and it wouldn't be difficult for Warners to distribute the film reasonably quietly. Not every DVD release is well-known.



And finally, I'd like to rally for the film to not only be released on DVD but Blu-Ray. Because I want to go from seeing it in a state worse than the tattiest VHS to beautiful 1080p.

I write this on the day that two human beings were beheaded by religious zealots in Afghanistan. I'm sorry, but The Devils even in all its "offensive" glory will never even compare.



Bring on The Devils. It's only fiction; I'm far more disturbed and offended by reality.

'The Devils: Director's Cut' in IMAX: Bring.It.On. We all Deserve it! :D

I don't understand why WB just doesn't sell the film to another distributor if they fear it that much.

I'm sure Tartan or someone similar would want to release it on dvd. It's a bit annoying really I can't watch it and I'm not travelling all the way to London just to watch a film.

Petition signed.



This is a fantastic film which I remember seeing in the Eighties on TV at some point and gloried in its magnificence all over again when it was shown uncut on Channel 4.



It is one of few films I've downloaded purely and simply because of the fact that it is unavailable and a DVD/Blu Ray version would be more than welcome. It would be an essential purchase.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Can`t get to the cinema ,i`d need to take a plane.Which is a great,great shame because Reeds performance in it , is as good as anything by Pacino,De Niro,Nicholson or Brando . Maybe if studios loved film as much as they say they do!!!! they wouln`t treet Russell ,the way they did Wells

@ tspoonage



online petition ain't working

Mark I don't know if you remember but I asked you a question at a talk you did in Cheltenham back in October and asked you a question about this. I have been following this 'hunt' as well, constantly checking online. This is great news and I really hope that this provides an opportunity for Warner Brothers to see how popular this would be.



I own three versions of this film because I love it so much - the 'nearly uncut' Maverick Directos VHS, the 'nearly uncut' bootleg with Rape of Christ sequence inserted (with Kermode's Hell on Earth Documentary' and so far the ONLY authorised yet HEAVILY CUT DVD version released in Spain as 'Los Demonios'. This cost me a bomb.



I would like also to point out that another one of Russell's almost forgotten masterpieces, 'The Music Lovers' is FINALLY!!!! being released on DVD on 6th June. I've had a pretty decent bootleg of this for a few years, but to finally have an official release is very exciting. Just thought you might like to know!



I am so glad that Kermode speaks so highly of Ken Russell because I feel that the man would be forgotten about completely otherwise. Keep up the search!

would love to see the devils but my nearest cinema is chester.

sucker punch it is then.

I would like to see this film as well. No doubt it would be in the Arthouses rather than the "mainstream" cinema chains.



I have seen Kubrick's Clockwork Orange, which I thought was fairly tame by today's standards, despite being "banned" in Britain by Kubrick himself until his death or thereabouts, and Pasolini's Salo or 120 days of Sodom, which is the only film that has really "shocked" me.



So much for censorship, eh?!?!?!

I'm so glad Dr. K. is pursuing this campaign and I too hope Warners see sense and release the Director's Cut of one of the best British films ever. I would also like to take the opportunity to salute one of the most extraordinary British filmmakers in Ken Russell. His oeuvre is simply amazing, from his wonderful early BBC work including a series of documentaries for Monitor, major features such as Women in Love, The Music Lovers and Mahler, through to "interesting failures" like Altered States and Crimes of Passion.



Like his contemporary Nic Roeg, Russell's films encompass all that is original and exciting about British cinema especially in what is sometimes called the forgotten decade of the 1970s. Even his 80s work still suggested a hint of the old magic. His cameo in The Russia House was the only thing that livened it up!



The Devils is brave, bold and, yes, confrontational. I think that's a good thing; then and now. Surely even the evangelical Christian right can't defend the inquisition. Can they?

I wish Mark had said more about what the movie is about. Why is it so good?

@streetrw number6



That isnt strictly true. When i lived in oxford our local arthouse cinema put on a screening of the `the Godfather` It was packed out by people my age. film fans born in the sixties who had only ever seen it on the telly and who came, to finally get the big screen experience. It felt a bit like church, we were all worshipers come to pay homage.At the end of the film, when we got up to go we were all the same.we looked at each other smiling in triumph at the fulfilment of a long held wish. So maybe it depends on the movie??????

This is completely irrelevant to this blog post, but just wondering - any chance we could get a review of Norweigian Wood on here sometime? At the end of one of the podcasts you ran out of time and said you'd talk about it more next week but then never did!

I'm 64 and have been going to the cinema most of my life, I've never walked out of a film before but I did with The Devils. I don't shock easily and the subject matter wasn't a problem for me as I'm not religious in any way, I just thought the film was badly made and was sensationalism for sensationalism's sake. I've no doubt that that all the fuss and furore made about the film made people want to see it all the more, it's human nature to be curious about something that's so awful!

So many things these days are classed as art but The Devils isn't one of them, it's a badly made film in bad taste and the people who are so anxious to see it, obviously have no idea about real art!

Obviously the film is a masterpiece and I was blown away the first time I saw it, when it aired on channel 4 with Mark's documentary several years ago. Of course it needs to be released uncut BUT I think a concern is that it needs to be released remastered so we can see it in a modern quality at home and not grainy VHS quality. Both the Spanish and US (which is uncut) DVD versions are poor quality indeed. A film with such beautiful set design and art production (and lets be honest, just as damn important as The Devils is) needs to be seen serviced up to a modern standard. Needless to say the fact I have to be writing this here now in 2011 is a travesty.



On a side note for the last 2 years I have been trying to get a hold of any copy of The Witch Who Came From The Sea, yet to no avail. The distribution companies need to catch up as there is clearly a market out there!

@ babyfacemichael



Of course art house cinemas will be packed for unusual and niche films. That's why these places exist. The original poster suggested that multiplexes would be full for showings of the same films.



I have seen all sorts of interesting films in multiplexes : Blue Velvet, The Conformist, On the Waterfront etc. Never was there more than 20 people in the showing. On a good day there were a dozen. People don't turn out and you can't blame the cinema chains for that.

@gaz



By packed out, i mean 3-4 hundred.maybe its just `the Godfather` eveyone loves????

@gaz



but point taken

During my student years in the States back in the '80's The Devils was fairly regular on the rep film house circuit. I was lucky enough to see it at least twice on the big screen, although I don't know how intact the cut was. Still one of my favorite films (I've not seen it since, even though a thoughtful friend has given me a bootleg). Its stylized, yet brutally realistic portrayal of medieval life was groundbreaking. The story of religion and politics is even more relevant today. The fact that the far-righteous idiots still can't fathom the difference between showing characters engaging in "blasphemous" behaviour and blasphemy (if you believe in that sort of thing) itself, sadly resonates with the intolerance within the film itself. (Note: someone above mentioned that the film is "only fiction" but it is a fiction based around historic events).



Perhaps one way to give more impetus to the re-release or uncut DVD release would be to encourage programmers of film festivals. film societies and rep art houses throughout the UK to go through the hassle of slotting this into their programs, to give a comeback tour, if you will, to this print of the film. Dr. K might even consider adding it to those that he curates (unsubtle hint ends here).

@streetrw number6



You may be right in regards the turnout for these things, i have experienced the same for a trekky day, but on the flip side Rocky Horror sold the cinema. I think alot depend with these things on how much promotion is used by the distributers and cinemas. I don't know if they were still charging full price, a lower entrance fee would entice people. The cinemas make enough on the popcorn. But most importantly babyfacemichael pointed out maybe the type of film does matter. I'd settle for a chance to see popcorn classics if i could on the big screen.. A bit of Indiana Jones maybe...

Search The Devils in iTunes. US cut version but still better quality than the eBay bootleg and cheaper than the Spanish DVD at £6.99.

Here's a quandary for Mark. What if the full uncut version gets a cinematic release - but it's only available in 3D?

Don't flame me here ok, I'm just playing devils (LOL) advocate, but ... whats all the fuss about? I have seen The Devils which you can get online (if you know where to look) but thats not the point.



Is it really 'that good' or are we remembering it through rose tinted glasses? OK, it is banned. You may have managed to see it, if you were in the right place at the right time, but now someone somewhere is telling us that we can't. So, as a result, we want to see it more than, say, The Exorcist!



Hmmm ...

I don't know the history of this film so can't vouch for it being "one of the best/most important British films ever." I will say this though... it is definitely one of the most _bonkers_ films I've ever seen. If nothing else the set design and over amped performances make it a must see. I do recall it being a bit all over the place though and can't help but wonder if restoring the bits that were cut out make for a more coherent film, or just a longer, even crazier experience.

Mark,

switzerland calling.. can you please drop me word directly to my email adress at [email protected], I have a skiffle/Dodge Brothers related question for an on-going project, you'd be the one for this... hope to hear from you soon.

best, sylvain / switzerland

I saw The Devils last week for the first time in almost 15 years via The Spanish DVD, and despite being the US cut version it is still a powerful film. Being much older, I now think it is more powerful than The Exorcist. As an atheist I don't believe the possession in The Exorcist could ever happen, however the state sponsored stitch up of poor old Grandier seems all too plausible nearly 400 years later! Far more terrifying than a "genuine" possession. Hopefully the new screening may lead to a proper release again while we still have the national treasure that is Ken Russell with us.

I am, alas, on the wrong side of the Atlantic to see it, but I'm very interested in seeing it. So, how goes the Exorcist III: Legion restoration?

I was planning on going to the East London Festival so I will try and get to Devils screening... which will probably sell out now.

Dear Dr Kermode,

I watched « The Devils » for the first, and, for the moment, only time when I was about 15, in the early 90ties, in Polish public TV. Obviously, it wasn’t internet-dvd time, and the only way to acquaint myself with the great movies, living in my small hometown, was, believe it or not, Public Polish TV, Chaine 1. Bergman, Visconti and many others were screened on Monday at 11h45 P.M., and being a regular highschooler (classes starting at 8a.m. every morning) I often struggled to not to fall asleep before the film would start. I used to shoot my young self with coffee, open the widow (especially in the winter) and do some walking all over 15 meters square living room in order to keep myself awake and ready to receive my weekly injection of aesthetic and emotional nutrition. That was how I watched “Peeping Tom”, for the first time, my second favourite British film.

When I saw the title “The Devils” I believed it would be an art house horror movie and the idea pleased me (yes, me too, I’m into the genre). What I saw that night, nearly 17 years ago, was an electroshock. I cannot fully describe the effect Russell’s masterpiece had on me. I was a teenager, didn’t know much about anything, and certainly didn’t get most of political issues of the plot. However I knew that what I had just seen was IMPORTANT. And UNIQUE. Like nothing else I had seen before and like very few thing I would see after. The day after I was trying feverishly to talk about the film with my friends at school but not many had seen it and nobody seemed to care anyway.

I think it was the moment the geek in me was born. I took note of the director’s name and over a few years to come, still before internet era, I tried (as I could) to track his other works. I managed to see a few: “Lisztomania”, “Lady Chatterly”, “Altered States” and “Gothic” (again thank you Polish TV) and quickly became an unconditional fan, but while my passion was growing, I still stayed unaware of the real importance of Mr Russell’s work for the Culture (period, not just British culture). Every time I attempted to share my fondness for his films with other people, nobody seemed to know about whom I was talking. So ridiculously enough, I figured out he must be an obscure avant-garde figure, unknown to larger public (you must forgive me, Dr Kermode, I was under 20 and the farthest I travelled was to Czech Republic at that time).

L

Later, I remember answering the question asked by my English teacher, Peter, a nice and cultured Londoner, about my favourite British film director, by spitting out: “Russell!”, enthusiastically and not very idiomatically (in Polish, quoting the famous figures’ names, we often omit the given one). “Ken Russell?” he repeated, clearly puzzled, since, as he carried to explain to me, he was genuinely surprised by the fact I have heard about him.

My eyes were finally opened by the good Dr himself, through the podcasts (and the documentary, of course). “The Devils” remains my favourite Russell’s movie. Actually, let me make you this confession, Dr Kermode: “The Devils” are my “Exorcist”. That is what they are for me. I am looking forward to seeing it published in director’s version on dvd (I am obviously aware of the fact you are struggling on it, and I strongly believe that for the Man who tracked out the spider walk scene and managed to put it into the new version of Friedkin’s masterpiece it is only the question of time to make it happen).

I’ve been dreaming of seeing “The Devils” in a cinema, big screen, TWO D, the only proper way of watching great films (dvd being a necessity). I cannot tell how frustrated by finding out too late, when all the tickets for the screening of the next weekend are sold out. Another confession, I wish make, dear Dr Kermode, is that when I started writing this e-mail, I intended to ask you, to beg you, to make it somehow possible for me (I could watch it sitting on the floor, stairs, and even standing). However I decided not to, and if I mention this, it is only to express how desperately and deeply I feel about this film. I realize how childish, absurd, reckless, bold, ridiculous and inappropriate this kind of request would sound. I want to believe there will be other festivals, others screening, that one day I will see it in the cinema. The film which I saw for the first and the last time in my life seventeen years ago (except the fragments included in the documentary which reminded me how powerful it is) and which is still growing in me.

Sorry for being so long, but had my English been better, I would keep it shorter ;)

Sincerely,

Adamina, a Polish fan currently living in Paris

Ps: I am very curious of your opinion on “Mother Joan of the Angels”, polish version of the story, directed by J. Kawalerowicz, made ten years before Russell’s%

Ps: I am very curious of your opinion on “Mother Joan of the Angels”, polish version of the story, directed by J. Kawalerowicz, made ten years before Russell’s “Devils”. “Mother Joan…” won special Jury Prize at the Cannes Festival in 1961. It is a small, claustrophobic, haunted, black&white, visually sophisticated philosophical study on madness, guilt. It cannot be really compared with “The Devils” but they share the same story and I think it is a masterpiece of its own.

I saw the Hell On Earth documentary a number of years ago, around the same time that I saw both the French Connection and Exorcist documentaries you did, and for years it has always been on my mind. For some reason when Hell On Earth was originally aired I decided not to watch the actual film which followed the documentary. From what little I saw in the documentary what struck me then and continued to in the following years were the sets designed by Derek Jarman, they were both aesthetically pleasing and yet serve a integral part of the story.

When you posted this small review I immediately bought some tickets and last night I saw arguably one of the greatest films ever made. It really is a film that attempts, and in my opinion succeeds, in trying to understand a very complex episode in history and not at all a film which was described as perverse. Furthermore, it is a perfect example of a film constructed from its sets, choreography, music, cinematography all combining to tell a story through the medium that is cinema. Thank you so much for this recommendation.