Ken Russells The Devils (1971), starring Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave, is a blistering historical shock-drama blending religious hysteria, political corruption, and fevered psychological terror. Set in 17th-century France during a wave of alleged demonic possessions, the film explores mass paranoia, sexual repression, and state power with operatic intensity. Visually bold, infamous for decades of censorship, and still fiercely provocative, The Devils remains a landmark of transgressive cinema.

In seventeenth-century France, a promiscuous and divisive local priest, Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed), uses his powers to protect the city of Loudun from destruction at the hands of the establishment. Soon, he stands accused of the demonic possession of Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave), whose erotic obsession with him fuels the hysterical fervour that sweeps through the convent.

With its bold and brilliant direction by Ken Russell, magnificent performances by Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave, exquisite Derek Jarman sets and sublimely dissonant score by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, The Devils stands as a profound and sincere commentary on religious hysteria, political persecution and the corrupt marriage of church and state.

Finally available on DVD for the first time, The Devils is presented in the original UK X certificate version with a host of new and exciting extra features.

Från IMDB:
In 17th-century France, Father Urbain Grandiers protection of the city of Loudun from the corrupt Cardinal Richelieu is undermined by a sexually repressed nuns accusation of witchcraft.

The Devils is presented in the original UK X certificate version with a host of new and exciting extra features.

Special Features

DVD premiere presentation of the original UK X certificate version
Mark Kermode introduction (2012, 2 mins): the broadcaster and critics newly filmed f