So much of this is absurd, which I'm okay with, if it wasn't trying to come across as a serious drama for so much of the rest of it. There's no amount of complaints that could outweigh Oliver Reed's powerhouse performance, though.

84.875

rahip, rahibe, veba, travesti kral, seytan cikarma, asiri müstehcen, cok asiri müstehcen, siddet icerir (bir sehri ele gecirmek icin sehir yöneticisi rahibin nasil devrildigini anlatir. rahip seytan olmakla suclanir. rahibeler hayatlari karsiliginda sapikca davranislar sergiler. bu arada rahibelerin rahibe karsi hastalikli hisleri de kullanilir. hristyanliga karsi cok sert ve asiri elestiri var. bazi sahneleri sapikca, atlatmak zorunda kaldim. kesinlikle cok kötü)

You know when something needs to be said but nobody's got the guts to say it? Well this film does. It's tough love but love all the same. Brilliant story with grand performances and a stunning production. Highly Recommended.

Totally ludicrous and intensely mesmerizing.

A savagely critical expose on the religion and government of this era. This film nowadays proves that this unbelievable document is still too much to even just watch these days as the film continues its ban status even post-Video Nasty period. Now that's anarchy!

Russell at his in-your-face best. Can anything this campy be serious? Can anything this serious be camp? Whatever the answer, Redgrave and Reed are fine.

The Devils is based on a true story and a book, the Devils of Loudun, by Aldous Huxley which is superb. It describes the events as seen the film, but in a different way. The book illustrates just how "absurd" the events were, whilst the film portrays them as "over the top excess and madness". So despite the film being as "stunning" as any film can be, it loses a sense of "feet on the ground" if you have read the book. Tremendous 'tour de force' by Oliver Reid and a REALLY sleazy Max Adrian

Superb. I was deeply moved by this film. Oliver Reed was excellent. Visually and conceptually shocking film, Ken Russell is not one to shy away from controversial material. It sets the whole Church on fire when the Father was persecuted in a scene which reminds one of the Crucifiction.

However, as FitFortDanga said here, the 'crazy zoom-in-zoom-out' scene is awful indeed. And quite corny too.

My jaw was dropped for at least half of the running time though, yes.

#552

Hard to take seriously. I dislike such blatant button-pushing in films; it only ends up confirming the beliefs of those who already agree with you. And going over the top may be entertaining to some degree, but is it really necessary to do crazy zoom-in-zoom-outs during a scene where nuns are participating in a wild orgy? Shock value and preaching to the choir aside, it's fairly interesting. The production is well done with a grand performance by Reed. But too obnoxious and silly for me.

Impressive film.

Movie's inner logic creates a beautiful arc and it's stunning to follow, even though the story contains uncounted rebellious details which tries to disturb the enirety. Main actors give good performances and movie contains lots of Ken Russell trademark details.

Well-intentioned, but ultimately its outrageous elements mar the enjoyment(!) of the film. Great imagery, truly interesting story. Even though I'm not a christian, it shocked me, surprised me, and moved me.

Quite possibly the most evil film ever made. Features a powerhouse performance by Reed, superb setpieces by Jarman and Russel's trademark over the top directing, displaying loads of his signature violence, sex and grotesqueries. A serious contender for the best movie ever.

Intense, disturbing, and visually inspired, Ken Russell's powerful examination of the corruption of church, state and the individual was one of the most controversial movies of the early 70s. A career best performance from Oliver Reed as the doomed priest Urbain Grandier, a political enemy of Cardinal Richelieu who was framed as a sorcerer and satanist. Plus, you get tons of naked nuns, and Vanessa Redgrave masturbating and whipping herself. Nice.

Ken Russell's best film. A ferocious, visually stunning assult on the senses. Definitely not for all tastes. It's one of the best British films ever made.

# 456

Such an Age of Aquarius film. Bizarre and disturbing, but ultimately pretty great. I wish more films were as adventurous as this was back in the day.

Deeper than usual for this kind of film, but somehow not engaging

An actually funny and vulgar satire that only pre90s could have produced. Things to learn: sex deprivation can lead to preposterous orgies of nuns and priest using church material including christ figures.

500

Really entertaining, and the production design is impressive. It's preachy in the way that it is constantly pushing all the buttons it can to make the viewer angry at the injustice and hypocrisy depicted, but in this kind of movie it sort of works.

487

Cocaine on large doses.

Made a big imression on me when it first screened, not so hot now.

More fun antireligious hysteria from Russell. This is one of Ken's most compelling efforts and a must for orgiastic-nuns buffs.

Strange.