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The Devils (1971)

X | | Drama, History | 16 July 1971 (USA)
In 17th-century France, Father Urbain Grandier seeks to protect the city of Loudun from the corrupt establishment of Cardinal Richelieu. Hysteria occurs within the city when he is accused of witchcraft by a sexually repressed nun.

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Writers:

(screenplay), (based on the play by) | 1 more credit »
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4 wins. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Dudley Sutton ...
Baron De Laubardemont
Max Adrian ...
Ibert
...
Madeleine
...
Mignon
...
Father Barre
Georgina Hale ...
Philippe
Brian Murphy ...
Adam
Christopher Logue ...
Graham Armitage ...
...
Trincant
Andrew Faulds ...
Rangier
...
Legrand
...
Sister Judith
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Storyline

Cardinal Richelieu and his power-hungry entourage seek to take control of seventeenth-century France, but need to destroy Father Grandier - the priest who runs the fortified town that prevents them from exerting total control. So they seek to destroy him by setting him up as a warlock in control of a devil-possessed nunnery, the mother superior of which is sexually obsessed by him. A mad witch-hunter is brought in to gather evidence against the priest, ready for the big trial. Written by Niz

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The Devils is not a film for everyone . . . See more »

Genres:

Drama | History

Certificate:

X | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

16 July 1971 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Devils of Loudun  »

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 1,200,949 (Sweden)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (restored)

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Ken Russell has said that he had to be gentle with Max Adrian because he was rather frail at the time. See more »

Goofs

Judith Paris's character is referred to as Sister Agnes in the film but listed as Sister Judith in the credits. See more »

Quotes

Grandier: Call me vain and proud, the greatest sinner ever to walk God's earth, but Satan's boy I could never be. I haven't the humility.
See more »

Connections

Version of Mother Joan of the Angels (1961) See more »

Soundtracks

Bourrée d'Avignon
from Secretum musarum (1615)
Music by Nicolas Vallet.
Played as the king's dance in the opening.
See more »

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User Reviews

Ken Russell's little known masterpiece
1 June 2004 | by (Buffalo NY) – See all my reviews

A few movies are so controversial that the Movie industry does their best to kill them off (see Terry Gilliams' "Brazil"). Such was the case with "The Devils" First, to clear a few things up...this did NOT come from a play, nor was it a novel. It is based on Aldous Huxley's painstakingly researched religious history of the famous Loudun exorcisms during the time of Richelieu. The book may be out of print, but my wife found a copy published in 1952 by Chatto & Windus. There are some more recent publications, but this one is lovely, with an engraving of Bishop Urban Grandier(the main character) dating back to 1627. Huxley actually includes original letters, which still exist, written by the participants of this travesty. Much of the dialogue of the film is directly from Huxley. The vision however is uniquely Russell's. When this movie was originally released, it was given an X rating, not due to sex, or even violence, although there is some of each. The plain fact is that the film in its original form is simply overpowering. The Movie Review board thought so! I was fortunate enough to see the original uncut version, rated X at the local art-house upon its release. This film is a shortened version. While still worthwhile, this film absolutely SCREAMS for a Criterion Collection restoration to its original (brilliant) form.


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