The Devils (1971) (Ken Russell) Discussion Thread

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by trouserpress

Such a shame we're not getting the BFI restoration, and it seems odd that there's no blu ray. In February the BFI are putting out Norman J. Warren's first film, a sexploitation oddity called Her Private Hell, on blu ray (I know because I've written sleeve notes), and yet they can't put out one of the most notorious classics in film history on the HD format?

And apparently Flipside is also putting out Andy Milligan's Nightbirds.

[Gojirosan]

Originally Posted by Stephen@Cult Labs

Really? They're hideous.

Efficient and not garish. I like them. Unless there are any particularly horrid ones I've missed!

Edit:nope they seem fine. The Innocents, Alice and Salo look fantastic. Doesn't really matter anyway, they're only sleeves, the film is the important thing.

[sjconstable]

I'm so disappointed that it's the cut version and not even Blu-ray, I think I'll give it a miss.

Edit: Ah so the British cut isn't too mangled, that's not so bad then.

[the blob]

Originally Posted by The Limey

I share that sentiment frankly. Whatever disappointment anyone might feel that this is not the restored 2004 edition would have been at least partly made up for with the BFI version being released in HD. Maybe if interest in this title is high enough the BFI will reconsider a BD release?

From everything I've read so far, apparently the DVD only decision was out of their hands so Warner must have blocked a BD.

[napalm-in-the-morning]

Originally Posted by Gojirosan

I like BFI's covers.

Pity it's the X cert version. I probably won't bother.

I can't see any other version getting a release, if ever in the UK. The features anouncement lists the Russell commentary which I always assumed he had done for the BFI re-edited expanded version, not the older "X" rated cut?

[James Morton]

its a very big shame that THE DEVILS will still be cut after all time
will we ever see the complete version................?

[Wes]

I almost got the Spanish DVD featuring the US R-rated cut a few weeks ago and would have been glad of it too, but something deflected me that day and I held off, so I'm very glad of the forthcoming DVD. Not Blu, but surely we're close...no doubt Warners want people to double-dip on what will be a big title... I have no doubt we'll see Derek Jarman's glorious set design in HD one of the days... I'm excited I must say, its been one of my favourite films for years...

[dream demon]

I have to admit to being just a little disappointed that this is not the full version, and DVD only, but it's still great news to finally be able to own this on DVD.

[R-T-C Tim]

I just hope this isn't one of those annoying cases where three months later the US will get a full Bluray release of the extended version...

[Stephen@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by R-T-C Tim

I just hope this isn't one of those annoying cases where three months later the US will get a full Bluray release of the extended version...

Of course they will. Yes BFI, we give you permission to release the UK theatrical version, but only on dvd (meanwhile sneakily, we'll release the restored version a short time later and make even more money). Why would they allow the rape of Christ scene to be restored to the film, only to refuse to allow the restored version to be put out on dvd? Very strange.