After all these years Ken Russell’s The Devils gets uncut release on Shudder

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

Ken Russell's epic 1971 historical drama horror film THE DEVILS has reached almost mythic status among cinephiles. It received an X-Rating upon release, and was severely cut down (from 117 minutes to 103 minutes), as well as being buried by Warner Bros. The film dealt with themes of religious persecution and hypocrisy, which is said to be the main reason for its cuts, rating, and ultimate lack of distribution. That and all the blood, sex, and violence in it. Anyway, here's the official synopsis:

In 17th-century France, Father Grandier (Oliver Reed) is a priest whose unorthodox views on sex and religion influence a passionate following of nuns, including the sexually obsessed Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave). When the power-hungry Cardinal Richelieu (Christopher Logue) realizes he must eliminate Grandier to gain control of France, Richelieu portrays Grandier as a satanist and spearheads a public outcry to destroy the once-loved priest's reputation.

But sometimes miracles do happen! You'll now be able to see this amazing film on Shudder, many for the first time. While it's not the complete uncut version (it runs instead at 109 minutes), it's probably the longest cut we'll get in a while, if ever. It's also a great film – a feast for the eyes and ears, but also a film with a timely message of corrupt political agendas using religion as a form of manipulation, the repression of sexual desires as a means of control, and ultimately the power of true faith in the face of true evil. It's a wild, crazy, and beautiful film, and I'm glad to see it'll finally be seen by many who wouldn't have otherwise had the chance.

Meanwhile, you can watch the film now on Shudder. So what the hell ya waitin' for?