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The Devils (1971)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
2/22
2/22:
Among the most controversial movies of all time, I had a hard time obtaining the uncut version of
The Devils which is mostly based on The Devils of Loudun by Aldous Huxley about what happened
to Father Urbain Grandier.
After seeing the film, I understand now why it has a notorious history of futile releases. It can't be the
nudity but the excessive display of sacrileges against religion. The church must have played a big role in
preventing the film from seeing the light of the day. Also, The Devils has been labeled a horror film
when it's really a drama.
I don't know what happened, but the second half is when things started to click in my head. The dialogue
from the outset must have created a lingering disconnect. Yet the writing is very good throughout. Madman Ken
Russell may have gone overboard sooner than expected, but it's been apropos during the second half, especially
the orgiastic frenzy.
Oliver Reed is another highlight. Many said it's the best of his career, and the actor himself called it
his favorite. However, I'm going to disagree and say he was better in
Paranoiac, The Hunting Party, and
Burnt Offerings. Yep, Oliver Reed had his head and mustache shaved off
for the movie; a lesser actor would've donned a skullcap or a wig. Now, he'll never be accused of faking
anything.
As for everybody else, there are a couple of standouts: Dudley Sutton and Michael Gothard as Laubardemont and
the witch-hunter, respectively. It's interesting to see Vanessa Redgrave whose role was meant for Glenda Jackson.
She must've had a lot of fun with her character.
A lot of what's going on reminds me of The Crucible. The themes are
similar. As a matter of fact, the events as shown occurred sixty years before the Salem Witch Trials. If Oscar
nominations are to be handed out, one should've gone for Best Costume Design. The cinematography is timeless
considering the year it was made in. The white-tiled city was designed by
Caravaggio's Derek Jarman which took three months to complete.
All in all, Ken Russell made a lot of terrible, absurd films in his life, but The Devils is by far
the best he did.