Fifty-five years after its initial debut, Ken Russell's historical psychological horror-drama film, The Devils, is set to receive a release in its intended, uncensored, and uncut form. Warner Bros. is launching a new 4K restoration of the film, which will carry an NC-17 rating due to its explicit depictions of violence and sexuality. This marks a significant move for Warner Bros., as it represents the first NC-17-rated film released under its relatively new Clockwork imprint.
A new trailer for the restored The Devils has been released, offering a glimpse into the director's cut. The presentation is described as intense, and viewers prone to seizures are advised to watch with caution due to the strobing nature of some footage. The trailer reportedly includes never-before-seen material from the 4K restoration.
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has lauded the restoration, describing it poetically as akin to "cleaning the Sistine Chapel with saliva." He noted that while he had seen the film on the big screen previously, this restoration offered the first true viewing experience for him.
The Devils, originally released in 1971, is based on Aldous Huxley's non-fiction book The Devils of Loudun and John Whiting's play of the same name. The film dramatizes the true story of 17th-century Roman Catholic priest Urbain Grandier, who is accused of witchcraft following the Loudun possessions. Oliver Reed stars as Grandier, with Vanessa Redgrave playing Sister Jeanne des Anges, a sexually repressed nun who instigates the accusations. Upon its initial release, the film earned an X rating and faced bans in several countries.
Warner Bros. Clockwork will screen The Devils in North American theaters starting October 16 for a limited one-week engagement, with select 35mm screenings also planned. A U.K. release is scheduled for October 30.