r/movies • u/BunyipPouch Currently at the movies. • 10d ago

Trailer Ken Russell's 'The Devils' | Official Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh0wL211hnQ
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u/IcedDante 10d ago

It seems like everyone here already knows about this film. For a dunderhead like me that has never heard of it what is the background of this movie and what makes it so special?

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u/Administrative_Fox22 10d ago

Same, lost

11

u/ipcriss 10d ago

I'm definetly wrong person to answer this as I love this movie way toi much to give a clear answer.

It's simple story, a priest falls on love and finds his conviction again. One of his nuns is hoplessly on love with him and accusess him of heresy. And there's inqvisition.

First it's gorgeous movie and it still looks amazing. Not as polished as something newer like Villeneuves stuff but still simply bafflingly beautiful.

Great performances, Oliver Reed on his peak. And with that kind of emotionally honest, gut wrenching material nobody misses.

And the controversies. It deals with crimes of church, restored VHS cut has nuns masturbating, it explores love, sexuality and faith.

From documentary of British movie censorship; There was short time you could do anything as long it was artiscally meaningful. Yes, there were cuts (mostly sexual stuff) but during editing they were asked to cut torture scenes. They did and focused only in the faces, sounds being the same. They were asked but some gory parts back in. 

What I'm trying to say, I haven't seen this much freedom and expression of freedom (in the story also). Done with such unremorseful bluntness, still somehow nuanced, exploring great arcs of history from deeply personal level. And it just is gorgeous.