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The Devils

Play trailer Poster for The Devils R Released Jul 16, 1971 1h 49m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In 17th-century France, Father Grandier (Oliver Reed) is a priest whose unorthodox views on sex and religion influence a passionate following of nuns, including the sexually obsessed Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave). When the power-hungry Cardinal Richelieu (Christopher Logue) realizes he must eliminate Grandier to gain control of France, Richelieu portrays Grandier as a satanist and spearheads a public outcry to destroy the once-loved priest's reputation.
The Devils

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Grimly stylish, Ken Russell's baroque opus is both provocative and persuasive in its contention that the greatest blasphemy is the leveraging of faith for power.

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Critics Reviews

View All (33) Critics Reviews
Margaret Hinxman Daily Telegraph (UK) What I find such a pity is that Russell should apparently so distrust his own skill as a mesmerising story-teller. Mar 18, 2020 Full Review Derek Malcolm Guardian What is quite certain is that Russell has been true to himself as never before and that in doing so, he will irritate, excite, bore and outrage more film-goers than ever before. Mar 18, 2020 Full Review David Robinson Financial Times Even more than The Music Lovers, The Devils reveals an infantile compulsion to shock and repel, cost what it will. Mar 18, 2020 Full Review Justine Smith Vague Visages While it is easy to get swept away by the crass vulgarism of his work, Russell uses his confrontational style in order to get below the surface of normalized and accepted institutions of abuse and oppression. Nov 21, 2023 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review More than its images of medieval exorcism or nuns writhing in demonic ecstasy, it is how Russell critiques and questions the institutions held dear by Western civilization that earned the film its notorious reputation and censorship. Rated: 4/4 Nov 17, 2022 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com The Devils is not the hysterical mess that causes critics to blow a gasket at the time, but a sobering and thoughtful depiction of the corrupt nature of power Rated: 5/5 Apr 3, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (327) audience reviews
thiago s Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é mais ou menos, o filme mostra freiras jovens se masturbando em algumas cenas em moldes de figuras religiosas por cima, lambendo, se esfregando, tocando na parte genital, essas cenas foram pesadas por mexer com as figuras religiosas de Jesus e outras coisas. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 12/09/24 Full Review John B I consider this piece of filmmaking to be one of the most important films in British Cinema Ken Russell has change the face of 1970s cinema with this film and many other films that he Directed. I Find it today still hard to find that this film has been heavily edited and I would agree that this was Ken Russell at his absolute best Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/07/24 Full Review Courtney K hmm... i'm not real sure what i just watched. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 07/29/24 Full Review Audience Member Ken Russell's The Devils is labeled "one of the most controversial films ever made." But what is so controversial here is not its depictions of repressed sexuality gone mad, but its fierce treatment of religion being used as a weapon by the powerful. Studio movies normally veer far clear of this hot topic, since it treads on the tails of many dangerous tigers. Russell stomps away on those tails, and it is interesting how reflexively critics of the time reacted in shock and dismay -- religion must ALWAYS be treated with sugar-coated respect! Plus these same critics were doubtless unnerved by seeing 1960s icon Vanessa Redgrave’s beautiful face turned sideways on top of a twisted, hunchbacked body – what a sacrilege to Hollywood’s cult of Venus! Russell’s 1971 film remains surprisingly fresh to this day, as current governments continue to wield religion as a powerful weapon against their citizens. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/30/24 Full Review Wayne K Much like Passion Of The Christ, The Human Centipede & A Serbian Film, movies like The Devil’s have such a fearsome reputation that many people only ever associate them with the controversy they’ve garnered, overlook the merits they (often) have. Ken Russell is a big name in the British film industry, and this feels like a film he was really pouring himself into. It looks absolutely spectacular, with a blend of otherworldly sets, elaborate costumes and vivid colours, the visuals alone would be enough to recommend it. The story is somewhat based on historical events, admittedly dramatized, so we’re not sure what’s real and what’s not, but that feels like the point. With cases of witch hunting and demonic possession hysteria, its often impossible to separate fact from fiction and truth from legend. The film dives deep into issues of religious faith, sexual repression and the corrupting and destructive power of making accusations that can never be truly countered. Oliver Reed turns in one of the most intense performances of his career, which is saying something, and his commitment, the introspective dialogue and the fact we see him as both a hero and a villain at various times makes his character so incredibly compelling. I didn’t think it was as violent or as graphic as some have said, but when it came out over 50 years ago, I can imagine how appalled people must have been. It’s a difficult watch for sure, but it’s a film with a lot to say, and the imagery and the graphic nature always compliment each other. It’s certainly not to everyone’s tastes, and some of the deleted scenes are even more shocking than the original picture. But if you like your cinema a little less sanitised, The Devil’s is a film you really have to see to believe. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/13/24 Full Review Francesco F Crazy movie, extremely well acted, one of the best production design i've ever seen... Loved every minute of it! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/21/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Devils

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 17th-century France, Father Grandier (Oliver Reed) is a priest whose unorthodox views on sex and religion influence a passionate following of nuns, including the sexually obsessed Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave). When the power-hungry Cardinal Richelieu (Christopher Logue) realizes he must eliminate Grandier to gain control of France, Richelieu portrays Grandier as a satanist and spearheads a public outcry to destroy the once-loved priest's reputation.
Director
Ken Russell
Producer
Ken Russell, Robert H. Solo
Screenwriter
Aldous Huxley, Ken Russell, John Whiting
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co
Warner Brothers, Russo Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 16, 1971, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 13, 2017
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Mono