The Devils

Since its release in 1971 The Devils has trailed controversy in its wake with its depiction of religion, politics, and corruption. There’s also a fair dose of sex, lust and violence. Not that it has been seen much with patchy releases in cinemas and home entertainment. And weirdly one of the nuns featured in Space Jam: A New Legacy.

And never complete, as the film was heavily cut and never publicly available as Ken Russell originally intended. Finally, the film has had the cut scenes reinstated and a complete 4K restoration and sound remaster. The result is a film of visceral and intellectual power, and ultimately the tragedy of corruption and political manipulation prevailing.

Set in Loudun, France in 1634, The Devils is based on historical facts with the 1952 novel by Aldous Huxley, The Devils of Loudun as well as John Whiting's 1960 play The Devils also being sources.

Loudun is a fortified city and after the purge of Huguenots, still semi-autonomous. Priest Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed) who is in control of the city is set against the destruction of the walls as ordered by the King Louis XIII (Graham Armitage) and Cardinal Richelieu (Christopher Logue). This would bring Grandier and the city under their control, in line with the rest of France.

Grandier however is no saint abusing his position to seduce women and break his vows. He induces wild sexual thoughts in the city's nuns – a scene near the beginning when they all try to get a look at him is vaguely comical. They are taken by his brooding good looks, but it’s the hunchback Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave) who dangerously yearns for him.

The King and Cardinal plot against Grandier by sending Baron de Laubardemont (Dudley Sutton) to demolish the walls. His forces are repelled by Grandier’s but de Laubardemont doesn't depart as he awaits further orders.

Sister Jeanne (incensed by his secret marriage) reveals Grandier’s secret marriage and of conspiring with the devil against her. This is enough for Grandier’s enemies to begin searching for evidence and summon various exorcists and villains, to the city.

Ken Russell’s film is visually and audially magnificent, matched line for line by his coruscating screenplay. He exposes and ridicules the power and corruption of church and state as they collude for their own self-interests. Just below those forces there are the scoundrels who pile in to take advantage for their own ends, having little interest in any in the power play at hand.

Reed and Redgrave are astonishing in their respective roles. Reed a manipulative rake, fully aware of his shortcomings yet remaining closer to the teachings of God than any of the other hypocrites converging on Loudun to condemn him. Redgrave a sexually frustrated nun out of her mind with obsession and lust prepared to go to any lengths despite knowing the futility of her actions, if not the full consequences.

The artistry and beauty of the sets, music and costumes, belie that The Devils is a brutal film. Not only with scenes of the ‘demonic’ maniacal possession of the nuns (one of the key restored scenes) and the horrific torture and death of Grandier, but how easy it is for the powerful to collude, influence and destroy as they see fit.

Ken Russell’s The Devils had its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on 9 October and opens in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 30 October 2026.