The Devils Goes To DVD For First Time

Ken Russell's infamous religious drama The Devils (1971) is to be published on DVD for the first time.
Forty years ago, The Devils caused outrage amongst audiences and critics after one of the longest-running battles with the censors was resolved, and the film was finally seen in cinemas.
Now recognised as a landmark in British cinema history the film will at long last get its DVD premiere on 19 March, in the original UK 'X' certificate version.
Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave give magnificent performances in what remains Ken Russell's most dazzling and controversial film - for which he won the prize for Best Director, Foreign Film at the Venice Film Festival.
Based on John Whiting's stage-play and Aldous Huxley's novel, the film charts the seventeenth-century events that took place in the French city of Loudun.
Reed plays priest Urbain Grandier, and Redgrave is Sister Jeanne, whose erotic obsession with him fuels the hysterical fervour that sweeps through the convent.
Derek Jarman designed the striking, highly memorable sets and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies composed a supremely well-matched score for Russell's arresting depiction of the breakdown of civilisation.
Film critic and expert Mark Kermode, who has written and broadcast extensively about The Devils, will be contributing to the special features.
He commented: "Ken Russell is one of Britain's greatest living filmmakers and The Devils remains his most incendiary work – an extraordinary and impassioned depiction of the unholy marriage of church and state which is as relevant today as it was when the film was first released.'
Sam Dunn, Head of BFI Video Publishing said: "We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce the DVD premiere release of this extraordinary film.
"The Devils is one of the greatest British productions of all time, and our special edition will not only feature the longest version of the film ever to have been released on DVD, but will also include a host of new and exciting extra features," adding that an announcement detailing the full list of extras and technical specifications will be made nearer to the release date.
(BMcC/GK)