The Devils (1971)

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Cardinal Richelieu and his power-hungry entourage seek to take control of pre-rennaisance France, but need to destroy Father Grandier... (imdb)

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Directed By: Ken Russell

Written By: Ken Russell, Aldous Huxley, John Whiting

Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed, Gemma Jones, Dudley Sutton, Murray Melvin, Georgina Hale, Max Adrian, Michael Gothard, Andrew Faulds, Judith Paris, Christopher Logue, Iza Teller

Genres: Drama, Horror, History

Country: UK

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The Devils belongs to 54 collections

1. 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (collaborative: moderated by kozan26 - 234 stars)

2. boobs (collaborative: moderated by Pickpocket - 51 stars)

3. Certified weird (collaborative: moderated by Dreamer - 47 stars)

4. Psychotronic Film and Video Guides (collaborative: moderated by Gregzilla - 40 stars)

5. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2008 revision) (collaborative: moderated by Scottathon - 39 stars)

6. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2010 revision) (collaborative: moderated by MMAlpha - 32 stars)

7. The Guardian's 1000 films to see before you die (collaborative: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 30 stars)

8. Passed the Bechdel Test (collaborative: moderated by geohawk - 29 stars)

9. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2014 revision) (collaborative: moderated by Jehan - 27 stars)

10. Full Female Frontal Nudity (Yes, Bush!) (collaborative: moderated by iceblox - 26 stars)

11. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2012 revision) (collaborative: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 25 stars)

12. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2017 revision) (collaborative: moderated by iconogassed - 22 stars)

13. Best of criticker: Drama (collaborative: moderated by avgcrtckr - 18 stars)

14. Edgar Wright 1000 Favorite Movies (Aug 2016) (collaborative: moderated by Aron Ericson - 17 stars)

15. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2013 revision) (collaborative: moderated by rant1229 - 16 stars)

16. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2011 revision) (collaborative: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 14 stars)

17. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2020 revision) (public: djross - 14 stars)

18. Sight and Sound 2002 (collaborative: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 9 stars)

19. The Gentlemen's Guide To Midnight Cinema Podcast (collaborative: moderated by Coheed - 9 stars)

20. Religion (collaborative: moderated by Pickpocket - 8 stars)

21. Occult (collaborative: moderated by mattburgess - 8 stars)

22. Best of criticker: Horror (collaborative: moderated by avgcrtckr - 6 stars)

23. 17th century period film (collaborative: moderated by djross - 5 stars)

24. Filmsite.org - Sex in the Movies, An Illustrated History (collaborative: moderated by afx237vi - 5 stars)

25. Psychotic women (collaborative: moderated by mattburgess - 5 stars)

26. They Shoot Pictures 1,000 Greatest Films (2007 revision) (collaborative: moderated by Scottathon - 4 stars)

27. Christianity (collaborative: moderated by Ag0stoMesmer - 4 stars)

28. Nuns (collaborative: moderated by Moribunny - 3 stars)

29. UK Horror (collaborative: moderated by bizarre_eye - 3 stars)

30. Cinemag's Mind Fucking films (collaborative: moderated by hristos - 2 stars)

31. Nunsploitation (collaborative: moderated by driscarpin - 1 star)

32. Banned in UK (collaborative - 1 star)

33. GreenCine's 'The 25 Most Disturbing Movies' (collaborative: moderated by CCLZA - 1 star)

34. Brows Held High (collaborative: moderated by Ununnilium - 1 star)

35. Anachronistic soundtrack -diegetic only (collaborative: moderated by Ag0stoMesmer - 1 star)

36. British director (collaborative: moderated by iconogassed - 1 star)

37. Cinetheque (public: allegreller - 1 star)

38. toucé (public: rnest - 1 star)

39. The Greatest Movies of All Time - Filmweb's Alternative Top 500 (public: Hadleyreis - 1 star)

40. Sissy villain (collaborative: moderated by mattburgess)

41. David Watkin (cinematographer) (collaborative: moderated by Ag0stoMesmer)

42. Next Up (collaborative: moderated by davidysteph)

43. Fantastic Fest 2013 (collaborative)

44. LA Times Underrated Horror List (collaborative: moderated by CCLZA)

45. Age of Aquarius (collaborative: moderated by davidysteph)

46. Owned (DVD) (public: bizarre_eye)

47. karamazov's dvd/vhs collection. (public: karamazov.)

48. jeff_h's films to remember (public: jeff_h)

49. Edgar 256 (public: caffe)

50. Tom's Movies (public: tomwalsh)

51. Films mentioned in The Devil Finds Work ~d~ (public: 5Z5qjRCfM2)

52. Forrest Watch List (public: ForrestQ)

53. New Beverly Cinema (public: xmoffx)

54. time was (public: rnest)

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All Ratings | With Reviews

Order by:

TCI | Percentile | Date Rated | # Stars (Reviews)

Stars	User	Rating
8	Barthalen	78 _74th
A crazy whirlwind of religious piety, hypocrisy, human desire, sexual repression and injustice that was understandably shocking at the time but hit this jaded viewers' I-wanna-see-crazy-shit-from-the-70's sweet spot. Striking imagery, great sets, delightfully over the top performances, Reed and Redgrave being rad as hell (heaven?), and a pile of nude nuns writhing in ecstasy on a christ statue. [Removes one item from nun-related bucket list]
7	Mentaculus	98 _98th
Russell, through the maniacal coitus of visual and narrative designs, touched briefly the concealed threshold between what can be called True religion, which informs and provokes, seeking Divinity - and False religion, manifest in Man, and built only for subjugation and repression. The Devils is not controversial because of its fornication of heresy with debauchery. No, it's banned because it speaks truth to power, by revealing with screams how we delude ourselves into submissive ideologies.
7	BillyShears	95 _96th
Please give me Oliver Reed's voice
6	Dean Franz	100 _98th
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.
5	karamazov.	83 _98th
Campy, ludicrous, heavy-handed as fuck, and absolutely sincere. What I saw was beautiful and exhilarating, and I cannot wait to get ahold of a copy of the actual restored cut asap. n.b. Set-design by none other than D. Jarman.
4	x-human	90 _94th
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.
3	MartinTeller	65 _26th
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.
3	KasperL	60 _50th
Also known as The Spinner and the Spinsters. No, not really. 'The Devils' takes the usually po-faced costume drama and injects it with Ken Russell's batshit craziness. It's not something I have a great affinity for but I will readily admit that it's a film well worth checking out for some magnificent class acting moments bestowed upon us by Oliver Reed.
3	Nroo	82 _86th
A Hieronymus Bosch painting come to life.
3	loc42	85 _88th
Such an excessive theme could only be narrated with an excessive attitude. In that sense the set design and futuristic look serves to depict the feeling of that time, not the objective reality as mainstream historical movies try to do. Urbain Grandier was a man from flesh and blood, an all too human free spirit who needed to be destroyed by the oppressive state apparatus in a modern world where "state becomes Catholic church with greater jurisdiction and for all" as Foucault says. Brave movie.
3	backwardsuit	93 _99th
This film is on fire. Every aspect of it is completely inspired & original. Performances are explosive, the music is highly unusual and the design is absolutely revolutionary. Ken Russell's storytelling approach is ferociously brave and about as subtle as a flail to the face. Religious, political and sexual hysteria weaved together in a web of corruption that's contrasted by humble faith and heroism.
2	TheDenizen	85 _91st
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.
2	Neonman	85 _80th
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!
2	KAH	3 _74th
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.
2	GordonBombay	85 _74th
If you're ever wondering why Oliver Reed is badass... this is the movie for you.
2	SheWas	67 _66th
Mute, fast forward and listen to Fleetwood Mac.
2	JSchlansky	85 _85th
Oliver Reed has a wonderful mustache and throws a crocodile out a window. This was my main takeaway.
2	pmcinern	90 _87th
Like Mad Max for 17th century France. Instead of ozploitation, this is plaguesploitation. Catholicsploitation. A furious movie of burning bodies, nuns masturbating with a a crucified Christ's nailed hands, and fantasies of sexually licking his wounds. I have yet to find a torture porn/violence porn with so much heart, such honest anger. Forget The Last Temptation of Christ or The Passion of the Christ: The Devils is the only one whose controversy is understandable. A Must watch. An experience.
1	auteurist	100 _68th
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.
1	TheDiceman	60 _62nd
Strange.
1	CinematicESP	83 _60th
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.
1	PeaceAnarchy	84 _77th
Totally ludicrous and intensely mesmerizing.
1	Stain	50 _33rd
Deeper than usual for this kind of film, but somehow not engaging
1	Spunkie	60 _65th
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.
1	frederic_g54	7 _57th
Unlike Pasolini, Russell endows the outrageous content with a sharp visual flair and Reed's performance as the doomed priest is magnificent in both its fieriness and restraint. It could've been more subtle in its degradation of religious principles but there's enough to admire to warrant a viewing.
1	JakeAesthete	73 _72nd
Coming from Russell, I knew to expect campy over-the-top spectacle, which this certainly delivers. But this also seems like an attempt at something a bit more serious and ambitious than what I've come to expect from him, which has it's pluses and it's minuses. On one hand, it's surprisingly well-written, and the characterization in the first half is well developed. Yet, once the "shocking" excessiveness sets in the jokiness of the tone can feel a bit muddled. Still great stylization though.
1	Hadleyreis	89 _92nd
Wow! What a film! I was not expecting that! And you were expecting another exclamation mark.
1	ElTigreNegro	80 _40th
Cocaine on large doses.
1	WWallce4prez	90 _95th
Even over 50 years later, Ken Russell's depiction of the insane power that religion can have feels dangerous. The very abrupt turn from chastity to sheer horror due to accusations is shocking. Oliver Reed is no stranger to big performances but it is Redgrave who gives something completely unhinged.
1	wetwillies	90 _80th
Brutally skewers religion and the mob mentality through a series of increasingly bizarre, insane and oft-horrifying depictions of sacrilege and pure mental instability. Ken Russell choreographs these sequences wonderfully, creating a poetry within the horror; it's a bit like a mad funhouse where religious and sexual imagery collide into something that is, to be honest, still a bit shocking all these years later.
1	billkerwin	92 _89th
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.
1	indifferenti	10 _95th
Absolutely amazing costuming and sets, and Oliver Reed is a brilliant lead. Loved the orgiastic/homoerotic tone of some of the scenes, as well as some of the religious motifs used.
1	witzelsucht	10 _98th
Bold, carnal, and theatrical, with some incredible visuals and a transfixing performance by Oliver Reed. A film that deserves to be more widely seen.
1	Calabria	70 _16th
hahahaha. Talk about a handsome devil, am I right?! There is some delicious food for thought and some occasional interesting visuals here, but Wow is this cheesy and campy as all hell (get it?!?!?!). ...seriously though you guys are the worst sometimes...
1	ytmn	90 _87th
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.
1	thehynes	39 _8th
If a film review ever needed the word Schlock in it then this might be it
1	P u l p	89 _97th
Amen.
1	lisa-	8 _97th
completely insane and insanely brilliant.

Average Percentile 71.32% from 710 Ratings