Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
11-11-11, 08:16 AM
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Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
http://www.moviemail-online.co.uk/film/dvd/The-Devils/
After Warner US deciding not to release it in region 1, BFI pulled a lot of strings to get this one out in England, but it will be the UK theatrical cut, not the 2004 reconstruction with the infamous rape scene.
2 discs, but the bonus features haven't been announced yet, and this will be DVD only, not on Blu-ray sadly.
After Warner US deciding not to release it in region 1, BFI pulled a lot of strings to get this one out in England, but it will be the UK theatrical cut, not the 2004 reconstruction with the infamous rape scene.
2 discs, but the bonus features haven't been announced yet, and this will be DVD only, not on Blu-ray sadly.
11-11-11, 10:54 AM
#2
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Re: Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
There was some talk about this in the regular DVD forum, though this is obviously the more appropriate place for it. Anyway, I've never seen the movie, so I'm looking forward to having that chance, though I wish they were releasing the longer version of the film. Maybe the reconstruction will come out if sales of this edition are strong. That's probably the only way it would get released.
11-11-11, 02:40 PM
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Re: Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
There was some talk about this in the regular DVD forum, though this is obviously the more appropriate place for it. Anyway, I've never seen the movie, so I'm looking forward to having that chance, though I wish they were releasing the longer version of the film. Maybe the reconstruction will come out if sales of this edition are strong. That's probably the only way it would get released.
11-11-11, 02:53 PM
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Re: Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
Still no 'Russell's Progress' which was documentary made on the set and how ridiculous no 'Rape of Christ' - bloody hell!
But...
Michael Brooke of the BFI at the Criterion Forum (sorry I am not allowed to post the url and says:
And, here are the extras so far:
The Devils (Special Edition)
In seventeenth-century France, a promiscuous and divisive local priest, Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed), uses his powers to protect the city of Loudon from destruction at the hands of the establishment. Soon, he stands accused of the demonic possession of Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave), whose erotic obsession with him fuels the hysterical fervour that sweeps through the convent.
With its bold and brilliant direction by Ken Russell, magnificent performances by Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave, exquisite Derek Jarman sets and sublimely dissonant score by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, The Devils stands as a profound and sincere commentary on religious hysteria, political persecution and the corrupt marriage of church and state.
Finally available on DVD for the first time, The Devils is presented in the original UK ‘X’ certificate version with a host of new and exciting extra features.
Special features*
• DVD premiere presentation of the original UK ‘X’ certificate version
• Newly filmed introduction with director Ken Russell
• Audio commentary with Ken Russell, Mark Kermode, Mike Bradsell and Paul Joyce
• Hell on Earth (Paul Joyce, 2002, 48 mins): documentary exploring the film's production and the controversy surrounding its original release
• Director of the Devils (1971, 21 min): documentary featuring candid Ken Russell interviews and unique footage of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies recording his celebrated film score
• Original on-set footage with commentary by editor Mike Bradsell
• Amelia and the Angel (Ken Russell, 1958, 30 mins): Ken Russell's short film, a delightful mix of religious allegory and magical fantasy
• Original UK trailer
• Original US trailer
• Fully illustrated booklet featuring new essays and notes from Mark Kermode, Craig Lapper (BBFC), Sam Ashby and others
* Special features are subject to change
But...
Michael Brooke of the BFI at the Criterion Forum (sorry I am not allowed to post the url and says:
And, here are the extras so far:
The Devils (Special Edition)
In seventeenth-century France, a promiscuous and divisive local priest, Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed), uses his powers to protect the city of Loudon from destruction at the hands of the establishment. Soon, he stands accused of the demonic possession of Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave), whose erotic obsession with him fuels the hysterical fervour that sweeps through the convent.
With its bold and brilliant direction by Ken Russell, magnificent performances by Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave, exquisite Derek Jarman sets and sublimely dissonant score by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, The Devils stands as a profound and sincere commentary on religious hysteria, political persecution and the corrupt marriage of church and state.
Finally available on DVD for the first time, The Devils is presented in the original UK ‘X’ certificate version with a host of new and exciting extra features.
Special features*
• DVD premiere presentation of the original UK ‘X’ certificate version
• Newly filmed introduction with director Ken Russell
• Audio commentary with Ken Russell, Mark Kermode, Mike Bradsell and Paul Joyce
• Hell on Earth (Paul Joyce, 2002, 48 mins): documentary exploring the film's production and the controversy surrounding its original release
• Director of the Devils (1971, 21 min): documentary featuring candid Ken Russell interviews and unique footage of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies recording his celebrated film score
• Original on-set footage with commentary by editor Mike Bradsell
• Amelia and the Angel (Ken Russell, 1958, 30 mins): Ken Russell's short film, a delightful mix of religious allegory and magical fantasy
• Original UK trailer
• Original US trailer
• Fully illustrated booklet featuring new essays and notes from Mark Kermode, Craig Lapper (BBFC), Sam Ashby and others
* Special features are subject to change
11-11-11, 03:01 PM
#5
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Re: Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
oh my god, an audio commentary - holy shit! sold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
interesting the only scene that wasn't in the reconstructed version is the shot of
if my memory serves me, the whole 'Rape of Christ' sequence is feature in the 'Hell on Earth' documentary - the reconstructed version just drops said scene into the actual framework of the movie.
interesting the only scene that wasn't in the reconstructed version is the shot of
Spoiler:
if my memory serves me, the whole 'Rape of Christ' sequence is feature in the 'Hell on Earth' documentary - the reconstructed version just drops said scene into the actual framework of the movie.
Last edited by Giles; 11-11-11 at 03:07 PM.
11-28-11, 03:45 AM
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Re: Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
Well, we have lost the Master. Ken will never see his masterpiece released even though he knew it was going to be. So Sad. I am very sad. He died yesterday.
Two of my heroes gone in the same year the other being John Barry.
Two of my heroes gone in the same year the other being John Barry.
03-01-12, 09:09 PM
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Re: Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
DVD Beaver review, looks like a fantastic release!
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film3/dvd_r...the_devils.htm
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film3/dvd_r...the_devils.htm
03-22-12, 10:53 PM
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Re: Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
mine shipped last weekend from the uk... still anxiously awaiting it's arrival... hoping for this weekend!
03-24-12, 02:51 PM
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Re: Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
it arrived today! wonderful package with a huge booklet with essays on the director, stars, and the story behind the controversy!
03-24-12, 04:22 PM
#13
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Re: Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
I'm confused the booklet details the cuts, but what was restored for the 2004 Director's cut - I thought it was just the 'Rape of Christ' sequence, or was it more footage than just that?
03-26-12, 11:32 AM
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Re: Ken Russell's "The Devils" 2-disc BFI 3/19/2012
apparently there were a few other things previously edited - some fleeting nudity - and a bit during the burning scene...
sad that the rape of christ scene is still missing (except for a tiny bit during the documentary on disc 2)
excellent quality dvd though!
sad that the rape of christ scene is still missing (except for a tiny bit during the documentary on disc 2)
excellent quality dvd though!
