COMING SOON

Ken Russell was a rising British filmmaker with a flair for the provocative and enjoying international acclaim for his breakthrough, the 1969 romantic drama, "Women in Love" when he decided to make the psychological horror film, "The Devils". Based on the non-fiction book, "The Devils of Loudun" by Aldous Huxley and a 1960 play by John Whiting, Russell wrote the politically charged screenplay which is set in 17th-century France where a powerful Catholic priest, Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed) is rendered defenseless against a nun's (Vanessa Redgrave) passionate accusations of witchcraft that are eagerly exploited by the church and state powers. With innovative camerawork by David Watkin (who later filmed "Chariots of Fire" and won an Oscar for "Out of Africa") and Derek Jarman (who would go on to have his own career as a controversial filmmaker) creating the striking production design, "The Devils" was recognized as an intense and provocative work that featured a bold critique on the hypocrisy that could be found in religion.

But with graphic violence and sexual content featured within a religious context, "The Devils" received a harsh critical reaction once it was released, being given an X rating from both the United Kingdom and the United States advisory boards, banned in several countries or heavily edited in theaters that dared screen the film. However, Russell would receive the Best Director prize at the Venice International Film Festival and from the National Board of Review.  And despite the uproar, "The Devils" would achieve some box-office success, earning over eleven million dollars globally.

Over time, "The Devils" would not be readily available on home video with limited releases on DVD were only edited versions, and the film has rarely been seen on streaming services. But there was a growing demand for the film to be seen again. Warner Bros. (which distributed the film back in 1971) has decided to restore "The Devils" and release this version in theaters through its newly launched Warner Bros. Clockwork label. Assembled from the original camera negative, this new 4K restoration presents the definitive vision of Russell's film which references the edit he privately constructed in 2004. Now "The Devils" is the uncut theatrical experience that Russell (who died in 2011) had always envisioned.

"Ken Russell's The Devils" will be re-released in US theaters for one week only beginning on October 16, 2026