Video Beaverhausen: Oliver Reed & Vanessa Redgrave in Ken Russell's The Devils

Ken Russell's The Devils was released after editing in the United States that was enforced upon the director by The Legion of Decency. In fact, the Catholic church condemned the film after failing to stop its release altogether.

Although the edited American version is still all that's available on dvd in the States, other Regions throughout the world can now view the director's cut.

I was, however, able to find the original, unexpurgated UK trailer:



None other than director Gillermo del Toro lambasted the American cut for its abysmal treatment of an artistic masterpiece.

Vanessa Redgrave is brilliant in her co-starring role with Oliver Reed who is also splendid. Their scenes together scintillate and sizzle with real chemistry between the two (who were rumored to have an affair off the set).

The film, based on the book, The Devils of Loudin, written by Aldous Huxley, graphically details the sexual hysteria and sadomasochism that takes over a convent. Derek Jarman created the magnificently surreal sets.

Very highly recommended. It would be insane to bill this with, oh, say, The Trouble with Angels.