Long-awaited restoration of Ken Russell’s controversial and urgent cult classic about sexual repression and religious persecution.
1634, France. Corrupt Cardinal Richelieu wants to rule but is thwarted by charismatic priest Urbain Grandier. A sexually frustrated nun weighs in on the chaos and accuses Grandier of having seduced her entire convent, delivering them to the devil.
Cult fans, rejoice: the definitive edit and 4K restoration of Ken Russell’s The Devils finally made it to the big screen! Russell’s controversial masterpiece was heavily censored for over fifty years – largely due to the hysterical crucifix orgy, aka the ‘Rape of Christ’ scene – but tonight at Imagine, you’ll get to see it in all its glory, with Derek Jarman’s ultra-modern sets looking sharper than ever. Special thanks to film journalist Mark Kermode, who worked closely with Russell on the edit before he passed away. Based on Aldous Huxley’s novel The Devils of Loudon, Russell described The Devils as his most political work. With corruption and religious brainwashing once again on the rise, the film is now more relevant than ever.
