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DVD
Publisher: Film Media
Ken Russell
Format: NTSC, Color, Import
Language: English. Subtitles: NONE
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| Triumph for Ken Russell over censors at last. |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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When I first saw Ken Russell's "The Devils" in London in 1972, I was amazed. Although Wiki now defines it as a horror film, then I took it to be a confronting and challenging examination of the violent conflict between the French monarchy, nobility, church and people in the 17th century. The horror element comes from director Russell's imaginative use of macabre spectacle as the "demonic possession" of the nun's takes hold, engineered and manipulated by Cardinal Richelieu, Baron de Laubardemont and inquisitor Father Pierre Barre. Oliver Reed's portrayal of priest Urbain Grandier, whose resistance to the plan to demolish the Protestant city of Loudon's wall leads to his framing and trial for witchcraft, is possibly, in my opinion, his best dramatic performance. And Vanessa Redgrave as the infatuated and then hysterically obsessed Sister Jeanne is stunning for her intelligence and passion. Although the restored footage -- censored in early releases -- is of variable visual quality, its inclusion is essential for the narrative flow and to reveal the real art of Russell's cinematic adventurism. Derek Jarman's striking production design is masterful. The additional interviews and doccies on the making of the movie and the resultant censorship are invaluable for understanding this film's importance and achievement in cinematic art. A triumph for all concerned and, hopefully, it will induce some viewers to read Aldous Huxley's "The Devils of Loudon". I know I will rewatch the DVD and the additional material with pleasure for years to come. Now if only someone would release Russell's "Savage Messiah" on DVD... please!
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| The "Devil's in the Details" |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Wonderful, visually confrontational film by Ken Russell. This movie takes on: religion, politics, sin, sex, lust, love and [yes, even] honor through compelling performances by an outstanding and outlandish cast, led by Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave.
I enjoyed every minute of it.
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| DON'T BUY IT !!! |
| Customer Rating: 1 out of 5 |
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This is only a very bad quality VHS tranfer, a real thievery. DO NOT BUY IT UNLESS YOU ARE DEPERATE WATCHING THIS MASTERPIECE !
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| Controversial and Genius |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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"The Devils"
Controversial and Genius
Amos Lassen
Ken Russell is regarded as one of the most controversial filmmakers ever but that is probably because he is a genius. "The Devils" is his account of corruption in religion and is based on a true story set in France in 1634 about the evils of the union of the church and state; both were controlled by those who were hungry for power and who prey on fear and faith. Father Grandier was a priest who tried to protect the liberties of his city, Loudon. Cardinal Richelieu wanted him destroyed and does so by setting him up as a warlock in control of a nunnery where the residents are possessed by the devil and the mother superior is sexually obsessed with him.
When the film was released in 1971 it was given an X rating not because of sex or violence (although there are both in the film) but because the film is so overpowering. What has been released now on DVD is only a mere fraction of the original film. Technically and aesthetically the film is a masterpiece filled with religious hysteria and illusions as it shows the horror of human arrogance and depravity. This is a movie that stays with you forever--for some as a horrible display of savages at work and for others as an intense look at a city taken over by madness.
The story of Grandier (Oliver Reed), a highly influential priest in Loudon, France shows us a magnetic man with strong pride and opinions and who lusted after many women and especially after a disfigured nun (Vanessa Redgrave). The church authorities felt that he was a risk and falsely accuse him of many disgusting sexual crimes for which he is to be burned at the stake.
The film never received the credit it deserved and looking at now in 2010, it is hard to understand what the big deal was. I feel that this is one of the best films ever made as it takes us into hell and holds us there and does not compromise nor relent as we watch religious fundamentalism go mad. While it does depict blasphemy, I do not think the film is in any way blasphemous. In fact, I see it as a celebration of Christianity and Grandier represents a priest of whom the church can be proud as he would not bow to pressure or allow physical pain to destroy his love for God. Sure, it is a bit uneasy to watch at times but life is a bit uneasy also.
None of us should be opposed to the truth and everything--burning at the stake, induced vomiting, ripped out tongues, hand screws, douching with boiling water, dead children and human target practice, rape, transvestism and orgies at the nunnery--actually happened once. Everything in this film is based upon true events. What else did Russell do in this film? He showed us what really went on in an Ursuline convent, he introduces Cardinal Richelieu as schemer and plotter, he destroyed any illusions about Louis XIII and we are filled with religious indignation. Finally someone had the courage to tell the truth and here is Ken Russell with a book by Aldous Huxley throwing it at us. There is a message here and that is that we must claim responsibility for global violence. Ken Russell is a director who is not afraid to speak and to show us who we are and we must admire him for that.
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| Enter Ken Russell, Exit The Catholic Church |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Lonnnnnnng overdue for reassessment, mainly due to poor availability, Ken Russell's filming of The Devils, is a riveting, and visceral ride to high opera hell and back!
A stake to the heart of the Roman Catholic church as well as governments that squash any dissent, not to mention the patriarchy overall, Russell holds NOTHING back!
With collaborators, Derek Jarman on sets(provocative) , Vanessa Redgrave, (still luminous as a sexually starved hunchbacked mother superior), and Oliver Reed ( as a musky sexually powered father confessor, the word HUNK was coined for him) Russell tears it UP, literally lighting the screen ablaze with horny clergy, orgy prone nuns, and political backstabbing.
Sliced to ribbons by censors almost immediately after it's release, The Devils holds a mythic place in Russell's ouvre
and could not possibly be made today with the budget , star power, and backing he received in 1971.
(riding off the worldwide smash that was Women in Love the previous year, it was distributed by Warner Bros.)
Though the misogynistic script elements are dated and offensive at times to 2010 senses, it remains a powerful experience when seen on the big screen in a beautiful print.(Introduced by the always subversive Justin Bond at the IFC Center in NYC)
Passionately made, The Devils, still resonates, morally and politically, 30 years later: it remains a relevant, enduring piece of film making.
A searing experience.
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