Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Devils (1971)
The Devils
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Devils (1971) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 13 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   2,334 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Ken Russell
Writers:
Aldous Huxley (novel)
Ken Russell (writer)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Devils on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
16 July 1971 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | History | Horror more
Tagline:
Hell holds no surprises for them. more
Plot:
Ken Russell's disturbing account of the Spanish Inquisition, focusing on an outspoken priest and a group of sexually repressed nuns in 17th-century France. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
2 wins more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
The Return of Analog Terrors!
 (From Dread Central. 26 May 2009, 4:46 PM, PDT)

Unjustly Forgotten Horror Movie of the Day: Ken Russell's 'The Devils'
 (From ESplatter. 3 May 2009, 11:48 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
A Beautifully disturbing film more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Vanessa Redgrave ... Sister Jeanne

Oliver Reed ... Urbain Grandier
Dudley Sutton ... Baron De Laubardemont
Max Adrian ... Ibert
Gemma Jones ... Madeleine
Murray Melvin ... Mignon
Michael Gothard ... Father Barre
Georgina Hale ... Philippe
Brian Murphy ... Adam
Christopher Logue ... Cardinal Richelieu
Graham Armitage ... Louis XIII
John Woodvine ... Trincant
Andrew Faulds ... Rangier
Kenneth Colley ... Legrand
Judith Paris ... Sister Judith
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Ken Russell's Film of The Devils (UK) (long title)
The Devils of Loudun
more
Runtime:
111 min | USA:103 min (cut version)
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Ontario) | Italy:VM18 (re-rated) | Finland:(Banned) (1985) (video release) | Finland:(Banned) (1971) (theatrical release) | Finland:K-18 (2002) (self applied) | France:-18 | Australia:M (video rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | Ireland:(Banned) | Italy:(Banned) | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R (edited for re-rating) (1979) | USA:X (original rating) | UK:X (theatrical rating, heavily cut) | UK:18 (video rating)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
A major sequence in which the nuns tear down and ravish a life-sized icon of Christ in an orgiastic frenzy was cut from the film and subsequently vanished. Film critic Mark Kermode discovered the footage many years later. Director Russell was keen to reinstate the scene but found that Warner Brothers were not interested in doing a director's cut. The footage can be seen in a documentary Kermode made about Russell and was subsequently included in an uncut DVD release. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Judith Paris's character is referred to as Sister Agnes in the film but listed as Sister Judith in the credits. more
Quotes:
Spectators: Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!
[Mignon gives Grandier the kiss of peace]
Spectators: Judas! Judas! Judas! Judas!
more
Movie Connections:
References Ivan Groznyy I (1944) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
18 out of 19 people found the following comment useful:-
A Beautifully disturbing film, 21 December 2000
10/10
Author: (bdpennington) from Atlanta, GA

Ken Russell is one of those filmmakers whose work you can immediately identify. Whether your first was "Altered States" or (like me) "The Devils," you learn early on that if Mr. Russell's name is listed as director and/or writer, you can expect to be at least a little disturbed.

"The Devils" is, in my humble opinion, one of the best films ever made. I wish I hadnt been born so late because I can imagine how truly intense an experience it must've been to view "The Devils" in theater.

This film is the only film I've ever seen, regardless of genre, to take the viewer into the pit of hell and to hold her/him there unrelenting, uncompromising, and to make the viewer feel as s/he has actually experienced hell. I can only imagine how much difficulty Mr. Russell must have had when MPAA members saw this film. It's bleak, horrifying, shocking, disgusting and thoroughly delicious. Aldous Huxley (the author of the book on which this film was based) would have been proud to see that his true story of a Satanic Catholic church translated very well to film.

One last thing: I have never really been able to sit through the entire film since the first time I saw it. That is, odd as it sounds, extreme praise. What kind of hell would it be if I could sit comfortably?

Thank you, Ken Russell!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Devils (1971)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What the hell is he saying?!?! foxonthedocks
Oliver Reed's best work lgpaterson65
Sky Arts: new director's cut? foxonthedocks
Music used in 'Birth of Venus' pobbopca
One of the most over the top movies I've ever seen.... durinsbane1086
Favourite line or lines of dialogue ken-weldon
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Baby of Mâcon Novecento Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes Bad Lieutenant Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.