The Devils (1971)
A dramatised historical account of the rise and fall of Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed), a 17th-century Roman Catholic priest accused of witchcraft.
In 17th-century France, Father Grandier's unorthodox views on sex and religion influence a passionate following of nuns, including the sexually-obsessed Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave). When the power-hungry Cardinal Richelieu (Christopher Logue) realizes he must eliminate Grandier to gain control of France, Richelieu portrays Grandier as a satanist and spearheads a public outcry to destroy the once-loved priest's reputation.
- Director:
- Ken Russell ('Tommy', 'Altered States', 'The Lair of the White Worm')
- Writer:
- Ken Russell
- Cast:
- Vanessa RedgraveOliver ReedDudley SuttonMax AdrianGemma JonesMurray MelvinMichael GothardGeorgina Hale
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressReed carries the film with an admirably restrained portrayal of the doomed priest. Redgrave, on screen only sporadically, is stunning as the salacious sister.
Time Out
pressNo matter how thickly Russell piles on the masturbating nuns, tortured priests and dissolute dauphins, there's no getting round the fact that it's all more redolent of a camp revue than a cathartic vision.
The New York Times
pressIt's a see-through movie composed of a lot of clanking, silly, melodramatic effects that, like rib-tickling, exhaust you without providing particular pleasure, to say nothing of enlightenment.
Los Angeles Times
pressRussell is really interested in examining religious hypocrisy and, although his methods are sensationalistic, he makes valid points about man's difficulty reflecting God's image.
Empire Magazine
pressWhatever the moral perspective, it keeps you gripped right to the end.
Variety
pressReed carries the film with an admirably restrained portrayal of the doomed priest. Redgrave, on screen only sporadically, is stunning as the salacious sister.
Time Out
pressNo matter how thickly Russell piles on the masturbating nuns, tortured priests and dissolute dauphins, there's no getting round the fact that it's all more redolent of a camp revue than a cathartic vision.
The New York Times
pressIt's a see-through movie composed of a lot of clanking, silly, melodramatic effects that, like rib-tickling, exhaust you without providing particular pleasure, to say nothing of enlightenment.
Los Angeles Times
pressRussell is really interested in examining religious hypocrisy and, although his methods are sensationalistic, he makes valid points about man's difficulty reflecting God's image.
Empire Magazine
pressWhatever the moral perspective, it keeps you gripped right to the end.
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