Ken Russell's 'The Devils' Gets NC-17 Restored Cut Trailer

Film enthusiasts are celebrating as Warner Bros. Clockwork, a new specialty distribution label, prepares to release the definitive, uncut version of director Ken Russell’s highly controversial 1971 historical horror masterpiece, "The Devils." This landmark cinematic event, heralded by a provocative new trailer, marks the first time the film will be available in its original, unrated form. Restored in stunning 4K resolution, this long-awaited release presents the legendary feature with an NC-17 rating, finally giving audiences access to a cinematic holy grail that has been censored and heavily edited for over half a century.

The meticulous 4K restoration draws directly from Russell’s own private edit compiled in 2004, ensuring that the director's uncompromising vision is preserved exactly as he intended before studio executives and international censors intervened. Starring Oscar-winner Vanessa Redgrave as a sexually repressed nun and Oliver Reed as a charismatic but doomed priest, the film delivers a visceral exploration of religious hysteria and political corruption in 17th-century France. As the flagship release for Warner Bros. Clockwork, this project highlights the new label's mission to rescue lost, fringe, and highly debated cult classics from the vaults.

Upon its initial theatrical debut in 1971, "The Devils" immediately sparked outrage worldwide due to its graphic depictions of religious sacrilege and sexuality. Adapted from Aldous Huxley’s non-fiction book "The Devils of Loudun," the movie faced severe censorship, with major studios cutting crucial sequences—most notably the infamous "Rape of Christ" scene—to secure commercial distribution. For decades, film historians and fans lamented the loss of these provocative scenes, which existed only in low-quality bootleg copies, making the film one of the most notoriously elusive titles in physical media history.

Film scholars view this restoration as a monumental victory for artistic preservation, arguing that the reinstatement of the cut footage transforms the narrative from a sensationalist shocker into a profound critique of state-sanctioned religious persecution. Technical experts involved in the restoration process emphasize the immense challenge of sourcing high-quality elements of the excised footage, which required piecing together various film stocks to match the surviving negatives. This release also signals a broader shift in how major Hollywood studios treat their controversial back catalogs, suggesting a newfound willingness to embrace difficult art.

The cultural significance of this release cannot be overstated, as it vindicates Ken Russell’s radical creative choices decades after his passing and cements his status as a fearless cinematic pioneer. By allowing "The Devils" to be viewed in its entirety, the release challenges contemporary audiences to confront themes of mass hysteria and authoritarian control that remain remarkably relevant today. Furthermore, the launch of the Clockwork label provides a vital pathway for other marginalized films of the era to receive similar high-definition treatments, revitalizing interest in physical media.

Looking ahead, the theatrical and home video rollout of this restored edition is expected to draw massive crowds at international film festivals and specialty theaters later this year. Collectors are already anticipating a premium physical release packed with archival bonus features and documentaries detailing the film's turbulent history. As "The Devils" prepares to finally step out of the shadows of censorship, its resurrection sets a new benchmark for film restoration, promising to spark fresh debates and captivate a whole new era of moviegoers.

Originally reported by Variety