Great that you are continuing to plug away in aide of a DVD release. An upside of age is that I'm lucky that I'm old enough to have seen The Devil's several times in rep houses. I only hope that an "authorised" screening may reach my neck of the woods.



It highlights how impoverished generations are after the death of the rep house. If it's not on DVD it almost may as well not exist (sure, streaming may replace this, but what more chance will that give if the owners of the rights aren't brave enough to release into any format). If great films like this one are not generally available then our cultural cinematic memory is depressingly headed for alzheimers. A world where no one remembers what it was like before Michael Bay (sorry to go all trailer voice on you).



Perhaps the real way forward to preserve "controversial" materials would be to buy back the rights from the corporate cowards. They should sell them cheaply as they clearly have no plans to achieve any revenue from them. You could even offer to remove their yellow bellied company name digitally to sweeten the deal. Not sure whether Ken would indulge in a "director's commentary", but it would be good if something could be done while he's still around to have the option.

It is absolutely tragic that this film is yet to get a DVD release. I'm part of what is now the second generation twenty something film fans unable to see The Devils (and a third generation is fast approaching). All I have to go on is footage taken out of documentaries about the film and it sounds marvelous. While I can offer no solutions for the DVD conundrum, and there was a glimmer of hope in my mind that this year could have seen a 2011 anniversary edition released, getting it shown in independent cinemas up and down the country could help widen the appeal. Perhaps a Devils tour, or maybe a simultaneous showing in all the best cinemas in the UK. I have no idea how many prints exist, so that maybe an unlikely situation. Better yet, the BFI could try to buy the rights and release one of their amazing DVD sets.



On another note, that it is still locked up in a vault somewhere is testament to the power of its message.

Please continue to badger Warners Bros. it beggars belief that the finest film by the most neglected of British filmmakers is not available on DVD. This is almost a re-run of the difficulties one had in seeing Powell & Pressburger during the 60s.

The only part of The Devils I've seen is "The rape of Christ" in one of your documentaries. I'm sorry, but I didn't see any political meaning in that scene. Out of context it's horrible and revolting.



You need to do a blog in which you defend that scene's merits, because although you don't feel it was so bad, many, many people will.

It says a lot about power of this film that the studio that made The Exorcist and A clockwork orange leapt at the chance re-release those films but left The Devils on the shelf, if ever a film could be called too provocative then this is it.I was fortunate enough to this on television years back, having heard of its reputation and was knocked out, Stephen Wooley is right it is a politcal film rather than horror or religious one.Whatever people think of the film its an astonishing piece of work and reminds us that Brtish film was'nt always rom coms and corset dramas.This is the sort thing of Kermode uncut should be about carry on the good fight Mark and i hope to see The Devils at a cinema soon.

The Devils is one of Ken Russell's best films I remember watching it on BBC 2 in 1995 as part of Forbidden Weekend and Moviedrome's Alex Cox talk about it.



In my opinion it a very powerful film with great performances from actor willing to take that risk on a film about religion. It very brave and with visual style from Ken Russell, art designer Derek Jarman and Cinematographer David Watkins.



Warner Bros shouldn't be a hiding this film and release. If they can released The Exorcist in the UK again that deal with religion, so why can't they release The Devil on DVD and Blu-Ray.

I watched The Devils on 14th June this year, having recorded it from one of the Freesat channels. Sadly my Freesat box wiped all my films soon after that, so I no longer have the film, but at least I can say that I have seen it!

Having watched it again recently (there are ways you can get it for those of you yet to see it), I was struck by the exuberance of it. It is a film definitely of its time, but it is no less powerful for that.



@6oclockman You need to see the entire film to understand that this isn't some attempt at nunsploitation - although Russell understood the provocative nature of what he was doing.



Warners must be very frightened of the Tea Party and their evangelist friends if they won't release it. Cowards!

Start a petition!

Why don't you do The Devils tour, and go up and down the country showing this film with Ken Russell introducing the film.

@6oclockman the key words in your post are “out of context”. Many scenes do not work or can generate different reactions in isolation from the film. Dr K does not need to defend that particular scene.



@ninfilms thank you! I thought I was going mad recalling it being shown on telly! The only time I’ve seen the film but it still lingers in the memory. A DVD/bluray release is long overdue!



PS - I liked Ken Russell in The Russia House, "This is just like school. Dear old, bloody old school."

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

What? I have no understanding of why a suggestion to Mark that he ought to attempt to record a definitive set of interviews with our Ken, his friends, collaborators and detractors, should warrant removal be the moderators of this site. Does anyone else think its high time Ken's tremendous career was documented in a feature length documentary?



Perhaps it was removed because I also posted a direct link to an online petition that exists, asking Warner Bros' to release 'The Devils' directors cut on DVD and Blu ray. Could that have been it? Really?

Ha! Apparently that was the reason. Ironic, don't we think?

I was 14 when The Devils was aired on BBC 2 as part of the Forbidden Weekend; I recorded all three nights on one VHS tape each, in Long Play, and taped the cases together and for years it was my most prized possession because of the inclusion of The Devils and the wonderful two part documentary on the history of the BBFC and their censorship choices.



Unfortunately I wore the tapes out the first two tapes with repeated viewings of Bad Taste & its making of documentary, Performance and Night Porter.



The same is true of the third tape, which contained The Devils and was the first tape to become unwatchable due to the repeated viewings. The film blew my mind, not just for the striking visuals and powerful performances but the fact that the story was based upon historical fact.

Fortunately since my VHS copy passed away I've managed to get hold of another copy and encode it to a digital copy on my PC so as not to run the risk of losing the film again; until they finally release it on DVD/Blu-Ray!

I've lost count of the number of people I've shown the film to over the years, but each and everyone of them has been majorly impressed with the film and utterly shocked that it's unavailable...

It's mind-boggling that, in an age in which mindless drivel is constantly being forced down our throats, to say nothing of increasingly violent horror films that eschew depth for cheap thrills, a masterwork like The Devils is still being ignored. Obviously, it's the politics and the religious aspects that are still making studio exec's jittery, but surely 40 years is long enough for this Dark masterpiece to finally get the exposure it deserves. If they can release The Exorcist in not only its original cut, but also in a director-approved extended version, why can't they do the same with The Devils? Admittedly, the religious aspects are much more apparent than in Friedkin's film, but 40 years IS 40 years!! Are audiences' minds that jaded that they can't handle a few nuns misbehaving (gross over-exaggeration intentional of course). Then again, with The Smurfs on general release, that's probably the case...

I'm not so sure there's a giant conspiracy to keep the film suppressed (at least outside of the US), I suspect it has more to do with falling catalogue sales on DVD and Blu Ray. The films was (still is?) available on I Tunes and there's the rather limp non-anamorphic DVD of the US cut available from WB in Spain, which leads me to believe they're just not willing to fund a restoration of a title that will not sell a tenth of the copies that The Hangover II will. If WB Spain can release it, then WB US are not blocking other local divisions. Possibly WB UK are unwilling to release the version from the Spanish master because it's cut to ribbons and non anamorphic, yet unable to fund the proper restoration it needs based on projected sales figures? Either way, it is a sad state of affairs. I have the cut Spanish DVD but recently stumbled across a DVD-RAM with a recording of the UK version (cropped to 1:85 but at least anamorphic) that I must have recorded from More 4 a few years ago. Good job I checked the disc before wiping it, but neither of them are a satisfactory way of seeing this film.

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

Christ! (no pun intended) That should've have read "can't" and "link", thanks for listening. We will now resume normal service.

The film has recently been uploaded to iTunes (albeit in it's cut form). Hopefully this means that a 'proper' release isn't far behind.

I too saw the forbidden weekend in 95 and videod The Devils but after hearing of its shocking reputation and seeing clips of nuns having fluid syringed into their mouths i did'nt have the stomach to watch it. Watched years later and found it to be a far more intelligent and political film than i'd been lead to believe (the 'black bird' sequence i kept rewinding the tape rewatching), if the film can be divorced from the hysteria that greeted it on it's release Warner Bros might view it in a more favourable light. Also re-viewing Marks 'Hell on earth' documentary actors saying how detailed and explicit the script was, Warners must have known this was'nt going to be your average costume picture.When Ken appeared on the South bank show a few years back he talked about The Devils i'm sure it's on Youtube if anyone wants to track it down. Mark in your previous blog about The Devils you said the studio took a hatchet to the film could clarify how many minutes of extra footage have been restored.

If you go to the Warner Bros UK website, at the bottom there is a link to "Request product information" - it's buried right next to "Careers". The URL doesn't work but it does give an e-mail address. I've sent them a nice e-mail respectfully asking when they might see fit to release it. Maybe more of us could do the same? Just a thought.

er where is our homework feedback???????????????????

I have a video copy released by Warner Bros. on widescreen in the late 90s possibly, which is 107 minutes long (available widely second hand). However, it's missing some 10 minutes and whilst it stills offers evidence of Russell's vision (though let's not forget Derek Jarman's stunning set designs or Peter Watkins' photography) it's neutered. I'm a grown up and want to see the full version!! If ever a film is deserved a DVD release then it's this one. Keep campaigning Dr K.

love it or loath it ,it is totally unforgetable.Its an extraordinary piece of work , mad in a good way !! Reed is amazing . Thanks to to touchfinder @22. i will. We all deserve the chance to see the full vision of its director, bless him!!! Cinema needs mavericks !!!!!

If I ever get a chance to see this film on DVD, uncut, I know I'll probably end up saying at the end, rather deflated, "Oh. Was that it?".



I don't know what the fuss is about; these phoney moral panics are just that, phoney. All this over a stupid film? Give me strength. You know what, I'd love it for all those self-appointed moral guardians of the universe to get uptight about REAL life events and REAL horrors in the world. God knows, we've seen enough of them.



IT'S JUST A FLIPPIN' FILM! IT ISN'T REAL! STOP TREATING US LIKE FLIPPIN' CHILDREN!

You know what's funny? We laugh at places like Iran which has a 'Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue'; we scorn China for its censorship of the Internet on moral, cultural grounds, when actually, judging by The Devils fiasco, we are little different. I really, really thought we had grown up.

I-am-I *26, The Devils is that rare film that lives up to it's reputation no one who has seen it has got the end feeling "rather deflated" even the people who hate it (and there are plenty of them) concede that it is an astonishing piece of work.

Can I play devil's advocate here, or whatever the correct term is in this particular case ;) I want to join the cool gang who think this film is strong and powerful and brave with an important theme. I think I should see it, ironically for the same reasons I used to go to church (because despite being painful and unpleasant it has an important message and it's good for you).



I'm on board with the theme. Abuses of religious power anger me too. And I have often changed my mind about films and seen them when others have told me they have a merit I have overlooked. I'm impressed with everyone's comments, I'm sure you're right. But I can't bring myself to want to see this film. I've always felt a little relieved that it isn't out on DVD because so far when filmy friends tell me how great it is and how I should see it, I can um and ahh and commiserate safe in the knowledge they're not going to say...I've just got a copy come over tomorrow! I don't know what it is, maybe because I'm not a horror or horror porn or torture porn fan. But I don't want to see it. Just the stills make me feel slightly queasy.

However uncomfortable I may feel about seeing it, I don't want to stop you having it on dvd if you want it, just don't invite me over. :)

@oletaolyta - The Devils is incredibly far removed from horror/torture porn (as you put it). It's just not that kind of film.



Anyway, here's the reply I've had from Warner Brothers:-



"Good afternoon



In regards to the enquiry below Warner Bros have advised us that as with all DVD releases, the decision to release this is driven by market demand. They have assured us that your interest, and that of the petition, has been noted and will be taken into account and that they are constantly re-assessing titles from their back catalogue which could be viable for a DVD release



Many thanks for your interest" (lack of punctuation is theirs...)



I thought I'd have a look at Warner Brothers' recent DVD releases and here's what I found (amongst others):-



The Ward

The Big Bang Theory Series 4 (does anyone watch this let alone buy a series??)

Nikita Season 1

Ironclad

Hall Pass

Hereafter

Clash Of The Titans 3D Edition

Life As We Know It

Going The Distance

Jonah Hex



and of course....



Sex And The City 2.