Devils in Detail
Ken Russell's notorious 1971 film The Devils is set to screen at the Depot in Lewes, offering a searing vision of religious persecution and collective hysteria. This long-anticipated restoration reaffirms The Devils as an overwhelming, uncompromising and singular achievement of British cinema.
Dir: Ken Russell
Cast: Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed, Dudley Sutton, Max Adrian, Gemma Jones, Murray Melvin, Michael Gothard, Georgina Hale
112 mins · 1971 · United Kingdom · Cert 18 · English, Latin
IMDb 7.7/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 55% · Metacritic 52/100 · TMDB 7.5/10 · Trakt 74%
Awards: 4 wins total
The Devils has garnered significant attention for its unflinching portrayal of 17th-century France, with scores including 7.7/10 on IMDb, 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 74% on Trakt. Directed by Ken Russell and starring Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed, this historical psychological horror drama has been praised for its visionary production design and striking costumes.
The film tells the story of Father Urbain Grandier, a charismatic priest accused of witchcraft, and Sister Jeanne, a sexually repressed nun who inspires the accusations. With its themes of religious persecution, collective hysteria, and institutional corruption, The Devils is a thought-provoking and unsettling watch. The film's use of historical events as a backdrop for its exploration of human nature and the dangers of unchecked power adds depth and complexity to its narrative.
The screening, which takes place from Friday, 30 October 2026, to Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at the Depot in Lewes, will be introduced by Depot team member and freelance film programmer Katie Spooner. For tickets or more information, click the button beside this article.
Stills
What viewers say
moonkodi · 7/10
I first watched this in 1995 on the BBCs forbidden weekend. I was 14. And yes, television was way better. I never watched The Devils since. It left me with an intense feeling and imagery of sexual and scary things. I gave it another go now many years later, expecting no more than a revisit of a movie I'd now probably find laughable. No. It's still as brutal as I remember. Less so on the sexual aspects now I'm older but more on the actual story…
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mediumdave · 8/10
Man, I get it. Oliver Reed is fucking smoking in this, big studly stout manly man.
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siggi963 · 8/10
A weird and intriguing masterpiece in cinema history. Beware, this is not for the faint of heart or for people with strong catholic believes (though they could learn something if they would be able to open their minds to reality). It is though, to my mind, closer to the reality of what faith was (and is), namely a vehicle of power and perversion to control and abuse the simple minds. Very graphic, very direct and very strong in its message. Note…
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Redd Folger · 9/10
I thought this was a horror film and so I'm watching it as one of my Halloween season pictures. It's not that kind of horror though. I thought it actually had real possessions but tgis is really a historical psychological drama. As that it is an amazing film and one that I will be adding to my collection soon. The imagery is just phenomenal with amazing camera work for 1971 with extremely crisp shots and lighting. The plot delves into mass…
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kwontuum · 7/10
It’s a blessing not to have lived through the 17th century, which really wasn’t all that long ago in the grand scheme of history, and The Devils reminds you why. Writer-director Ken Russell doesn’t hold back in exposing the dark truths behind this historical tale set in France. He also incorporates the ethos of the 1960s, when the film was made and pushing the boundaries of violence, sexuality, and religion was increasingly fashionable, while…
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Tom_Frontman · 9/10
\[9-\] Perché non me lo hanno fatto vedere a catechismo?
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murarogool · 10/10
> The devil is a liar Absolute cinema and a blast being able to see it in theater 🍿
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FLY_
I can see why it was so scandalous at the time. It depicts a damning image of the Church. From Richelieu's political scheming, to the main protagonist being a priest but also impregnating young girls here and there. Then showing the travesty of exorcism, the use of torture to bring fake confessions, etc. However, the torture is not shown. There are orgy adjacent scenes but you actually just see some nuns t&a. There are not many graphic images.…
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