Home / Arts and Entertainment / Cannes Screens Ken Russell's Infamous 'The Devils' Uncut
Cannes Screens Ken Russell's Infamous 'The Devils' Uncut
15 May
Summary
- A restored 4K version of Ken Russell's 'The Devils' screened at Cannes.
- The film faced censorship and bans for its controversial content in 1971.
- Peter Jackson was among filmmakers eager to attend the sold-out premiere.
A restored 4K director's edition of Ken Russell's controversial 1971 film, 'The Devils,' made its debut at Cannes. The film, based on the true story of a 17th-century priest accused of witchcraft, faced immediate backlash for its perceived blasphemy. The Vatican publicly criticized the film, leading to the cancellation of its Venice Film Festival public screening in 1971.
Despite winning Best Director for Russell at Venice, 'The Devils' was banned in Italy and other regions. It was released with significant edits and an X rating in the UK and US. Russell later described the censorship as 'heartbreaking,' believing the deleted material was crucial to the film's thematic core.
In 2004, Russell restored an uncut version, though it never saw a public release. The British Film Institute released an edited DVD in 2011. Warner Bros. recently agreed to release the uncut version, culminating in its Cannes premiere.
The sold-out screening was introduced by Russell's widow and biographer, who praised the restoration. High-profile filmmakers, including Peter Jackson, sought tickets for the event. While the film's notorious scenes no longer shock, its satire of power and corruption remains remarkably relevant.
