Tag: Los demonios

It has been censored for 40 years, but Warner Bros. will re-release the most controversial movie in history in theaters

After forty years of censorship, Warner Bros. has decided to bring back The Devils, one of the most controversial films in history. Directed by Ken Russell and released in 1971, the film takes place in 18th century France where a priest, Father Grandier, has very unorthodox ideas about violence and sex, which a novice becomes enamored with. Bringing misfortune to the entire town of Loudun when that occurrence leads to a witch hunt. A faithful reconstruction of the author’s idea Although the film is brilliant and has a sharp socio-political commentary, […]

After forty years of censorship, Warner Bros. has decided to bring back The Devils, one of the most controversial films in history. Directed by Ken Russell and released in 1971, the film takes place in 18th century France where a priest, Father Grandier, has very unorthodox ideas about violence and sex that a novice becomes enamored with. Bringing disaster to the entire town of Loudun when that occurrence leads to a witch hunt.

A faithful reconstruction of the author’s idea

Although the film is brilliant and has a sharp sociopolitical commentary, it was not liked at all by English censors, who for years have banned its exhibition in its singular form. Even though the film was a success: it was the fifth most viewed film of 1971 and, over the years, it has ended up receiving a cult status that few other films have achieved.

Now at Warner Bros. they have made a 4K version based on the last edition made by Ken Russell before his death on November 27, 2011, with the intention of releasing it in theaters. Scheduled for release on October 17, they have confirmed that the film will also be released on Blu-ray and that there will be reasons to watch it again, besides the possibility of seeing it in theaters: it will not only be an uncensored version, but it will last 114 minutes, as opposed to the 111 minutes of the commercial version we have now.

Stating that this “is the uncut and unfiltered version of the theatrical experience that Russell always had in mind,” it seems that this is the perfect opportunity to see one of the greatest cult films in the history of English cinema. And to reclaim the peculiar figure of Ken Russell.

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This cult film by Ken Russell seems cursed and according to Guillermo del Toro, very powerful people do not want it to see the light

The figure of British filmmaker Ken Russell has resurfaced in cinematic conversation, thanks to the controversial and provocative film The Devils. Russell, who passed away in 2011, is remembered for his distinctive style and his tendency to challenge norms. The Devils, an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s book, is considered a cursed masterpiece, notable for its exploration of religion, violence, and sexuality, which earned it an X rating after its release. A film with reasons not to see the light The story recounts the historical case of demonic possession in Loudun, where a priest, […]

The figure of British filmmaker Ken Russell has resurfaced in cinematic conversation, thanks to the controversial and provocative film The Devils. Russell, who passed away in 2011, is remembered for his distinctive style and his tendency to challenge norms. The Devils, an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s book, is considered a cursed masterpiece, notable for its exploration of religion, violence, and sexuality, which earned it an X rating after its release.

A movie with reasons not to see the light

The story narrates the historical case of demonic possession in Loudun, where a priest, Urbain Grandier, was accused of witchcraft and executed in the 17th century. With memorable performances by Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave, the film has been subject to censorship and controversy for over five decades. Warner Bros. maintained an edited version for years, excluding key scenes, including a notable controversy related to a scene of the violation of Christ, which put an end to any expectations of a full release for a long time.

Despite its difficulties, the efforts to restore The Demons have been ongoing. From a significant restoration in 2004 to its recent inclusion on platforms like Filmin and Criterion, cinephiles can access this cult work like never before. However, there is still a long way to go; critics like Guillermo del Toro have pointed out that there are “factual powers at Warner Bros.” that obstruct its availability in more common formats like DVD and Blu-ray in North America.

The evolution of the status of The Devils personifies the complexity of cinema as a reflection of society, addressing themes of power and censorship. Although its full projection is still limited, the film remains a testament to the bold creative spirit of Ken Russell.

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