The Devils (Ken Russell, 1971)

[nicolas]

Details on the restoration of The Devils: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php? ... tcount=557

[colinr0380]

Mark Kermode after a screening at Lincoln Center. I particularly like his linking the themes of the film forward to Tommy.

And I do like putting The Devils in a tradition of poetic British cinema in a lineage from Powell & Pressburger. You could see how Derek Jarman would pick up that similar mantle in his own films afterwards too. Though I slightly disagree with Kermode that it should not be underestimated just how big a year 1971 was for powerfully confrontational films - Warner Bros by itself had a provocative year with A Clockwork Orange and John Boorman's Deliverance all presenting material that still remains challenging and relevant to this day. And a lot of that probably had to do with a very specific period between the decline of the studio system in the US, and before the rise of the Blockbusters with Jaws, that were leading to studios taking chances on all sorts of material, allowing the opportunities for such films to get made.

[Mr.DarjeelingLimited]

I can’t help but wonder if the “Clockwork” division tried to push this out first because the braindead execs at Paramount () would try to bury it.

[Finch]

Re Ellisons, you can also forget anything vaguely critical of Israel getting made under their leadership.

[Altair]

I can’t help but wonder if the “Clockwork” division tried to push this out first because the braindead execs at Paramount () would try to bury it.

Not that Warner Bros. has been any kind of supporter of this film for most of the past five decades...

[Matt]

Given that the re-release was announced in early May, I would think restoration of the film was well underway before Paramount made their bid for WBD at the end of February.

[Drucker]

I do think that everyone knowing that Warners would be sold probably motivated some people. Was Netflix going to restore this film?

[Lowry_Sam]

Lobby standee for The Devils weighs 666 lbs., I'm sure Ken would be amused.

[olmo]

Re Ellisons, you can also forget anything vaguely critical of Israel getting made under their leadership.

The Devils indeed.

[Altair]

I saw this in 35mm at the Alamo Drafthouse in San Francisco - lovely, organic grain, cool blue-to-grey colour tones, but overall looked immaculate. Really hard to imagine a better restoration.

[tenia]

I saw it 3 days ago (on DCP) and it does gorgeous.
"Exciting announcements" to come about home video releases. We might even get one in France.

[j99]

Not that Warner Bros. has been any kind of supporter of this film for most of the past five decades...

No, although they did allow the BFI to release a DVD of the film several years ago, but did not allow a blu ray release, which was an unusual decision. Has there been any announcement about a high definition release this time around? It’s probably the only way I’m going to be able to see it.

[Mr.DarjeelingLimited]

My 35mm screening is in an hour, can’t wait.
After The Devils, I’m seeing You Can See Everything as well.