Does Warner also hold the rights to Valentino?

The Devils is Ken Russell's masterpiece, in my opinion, but I wonder if Warner will release it uncut, with restored footage, unrated or NC17?

Saw the restored, uncut version of The Devils last night at the NFT in London, with Russell and his editor, Mike Bradsell (who did the restoration as well), in conversation afterwards.

I had previously seen the American version on VHS (twice) so the screening last night was a revelation to me. The British and American versions are very different; Russell claimed before the screening that they had lost little "snippets" throughout the film that had never been found but that two major sections had been restored, "The Rape of Christ" sequence and the final scene with Sister Jeanne where they bring her a bone from Grandier's remains which she then proceeds to...well, you can imagine.

But there was a TON of stuff that I had never seen before, in fact, the version I saw last night made the American version seem like a G-rated film. Some have posted referring to the recent American Cinematheque screening (9/04) stating that the print used there included many scenes and edits they'd not seen before including Sister Agnes stroking the candle, Grandier's legs, etc. I think these must denote differences between the American and British releases of the film because, until last night, I had never seen them before either. While I always admired the film, I must say it seems like a completely different (and extraordinary) film to me. The American version is a real hatchet job.

Also, the "Sister Agnes stroking the candle" scene was quite clearly the "Sister Agnes masturbating herself into a sexual hysteria" scene last night so there's definitely been some major restoration--it's part of the larger "Rape of Christ" sequence; I didn't recall Mignon masturbating himself in the American version either but it was pretty straight forward in the restored version. Russell did describe it as "a major chunk" and I believe the restored sequence amounts to 4 minutes--4 very delirious minutes of film.

Though apparently not part of the restoration, the exorcism scene seemed far more intense and explicit then I remembered as did the death of Madeline's mother at the beginning, and a scene of Sister Jeanne masturbating (on her back with her legs wide apart) among others. I could be confused though. On the whole, the restored cut never seemed to let up at all and the two hours went by like 20 minutes, it was so powerful and engrossing. It does go to show how much WBs butchered it in the States, even beyond what the British distributors felt it was necessary to do. The film was just extraordinary last night. (And seeing it on a proper, wide screen was so stunning--The Devils was clearly Oliver Reed's best work; why the material gripped him so much, I couldn't say, but it was great to see and was very powerful. Before last night, my partner never even knew Oliver Reed could act and now he's thoroughly impressed.)

They also said it was the world premiere of the restored version, which some other posts on the matter suggest was just completed in the last few weeks, so I don't think American Cinematheque would've had this version on their hands (and if they did, they certainly would've been boasting about it). I believe the film was projected from high definition video and it was squeaky clean. It was gorgeous.

Sadly, they couldn't say what will become of the restored version after last night. They apparently had to wrangle with WB for the last two years since the footage had been discovered and I don't know what agreement they had come to, to allow last night's screening. It wasn't clear if WB was supressing the film because they didn't want to be associated with it or they were fully supporting the restoration; both possibilities seemed to be implied at different times and it was suggested that the screening of the restored version had come about because WB finally realised what a classic film they have on their hands. (There was a Warner executive/representative in the audience.) I just can't even imagine the furor if the restored version were released in the US right now--though maybe as more of a curiousity it would escape the attention of the religious right--but, I mean, if they're getting upset about Nicolette Sheridan in a football locker room, they would be apoplectic with rage over this. Or maybe it would be seen as a historical film.

But there was no indication of further showings or a release in the UK so they've obviously got more wrangling to do with WB. I should hope they would allow a DVD release in the UK at least because it is now a monumental British film with extraordinary work from Russell, Derek Jarman, Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed and others, and filmed at Pinewood. It would be a shame if it that didn't happen. It's hard to tell what WB's criteria for release are; I can't imagine they have big plans for it in the States and even if they just allowed for the licensing, I'm sure there are plenty of companies, the BFI and Criterion among them who would jump at financing a DVD release. So if it's not financial does it then become about suppressing the film for other reasons? Anyone care to hazard a guess at what those reason are, because I'm not clear on that.

I did think it interesting last night that in 1971 WBs distributed this (albeit in a bowdlerised version) and then two years later released The Exorcist, two films that for all their controversy I would consider to be the most affirming films I've ever seen of the Catholic faith (and I saw them both long after I stopped considering myself to even be of the Catholic faith! And I still felt affirmed!). It makes me wonder what was going on in the halls of WBs in the early '70's--were these films made purely for commercial reasons as we would believe of today's film industry or was there a more elevated agenda at work, meaning, did film executives actually used to think? And, if so, what happened to them?

I hope all admirerers of Russell's film get a chance to see this version and I will be sure to post back with any information regaring its distribution, if I hear anything.

Could any of you that have seen both cuts (or any for that matter) give me a rundown of what to expect when I finally sit down to watch the upcoming Warner DVD (that is supposed to be OAR anamorphic and with a 5.1 remastering, according to this year's chat)?

Well, has anyone seen The Boy Friend or not? I bet Matt has...

It's from Monty Pyhton's Flying Circus. They interrupted a show with Ken Russell's Gardening Party 1968. It shows a group of people run onto a small garden. (Naked women, priests a pantomime goose) They start a big orgy.

That makes sense! And it sounds like a lot of britcom fun too.

Clearly June 6 will be the release date for The Devils

Whether or not Russell's extraordinary vision would be enhanced by the reinstatement of this recovered material is clearly a matter of personal opinion. Having viewed an assembly of this sequence which Bradsell had brilliantly orchestrated with found fragments of Peter Maxwell Davies' electrifying score, Russell declared himself to be "delighted" with the results and enthusiastic about the sequence's imminent restoration. As things currently stand, however, there is little chance that the film's original backers will sanction such an act, though the possibility of sublicensing the material to an independent distributor remains an option. For the moment, though, Russell's beautiful monster must remain where it has always been: caged within the confines of state and studio censorship, cast out of the catholic canon of mainstream cinema.

"I leave you with notice that 2006 will also be the year in which Ken Russell' fiery masterpiece The Devils is finally released in its uncut form, a full 35 years after censors and distributors conspired to slash it to ribbons. The forthcoming 'Directors Cut' DVD comes complete with a newly extended version of the Channel 4 documentary 'Hell On Earth' - which is obviously a reason for celebration and delight! Happy New Year."
- Mark Kermode, Channel Four.com

Warner Home Video (London office) telephone number:

(+44) 0207 984 6400

Well, I suppose that Kermode's interest lies in the search for God or Good conquering Evil - he is in no way reveling in the mocking of Christianity. His love of horror movies is not as superficial as most critics.

How is it that Kermode and Russell are friends? I've had the impression from various sources that The Devils is loved for being obnoxious and trippy. As a Russell fan I've always been curious to see the film because of its notoriety, but that's all I've ever heard in relation to its merit - the controversy surrounding it. But Kermode approaches it as a serious film? Wouldn't Russell find that beside the point?

Yes, just like "O Lucky Man", "The World, The Flesh and The Devil" (1959), "Performance", etc., "The Devils" won't be out until 2007.
I called them. Their number: London 0207 984 6480, DVD customer service.
All these films were promised by Warner for 2006 & now they are for 2007, so annoying, & they don't even explain why!

Warner is still discussing The Devils for release.