# Ken Russell’s restored The Devils confronts religious and political power

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-devils-review-ken-russells-1971-possessed-nuns-tale-is-a-frenzied-aria-of-confrontation-and-hysteria/
- Published: 2026-10-28T11:00:01+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T11:32:16+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/oct/28/the-devils-review-ken-russell-oliver-reed-vanessa-redgrave
- Topics: Culture, Entertainment, Film

## Key points

- Ken Russell’s *The Devils* returns in its complete, restored form.
- Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave lead its story of persecution.
- The film presents authority’s violence as its central obscenity.

## Summary

Ken Russell’s restored 1971 film *The Devils* has been rereleased in its complete form after years of censorship. Based on the true story of the Loudun witch trials, it uses sexualised and religiously shocking imagery to confront the violence of political and religious authority.

Oliver Reed plays Father Urbain Grandier, a charismatic priest whose support for Loudun’s independence angers Cardinal Richelieu and the Church. Vanessa Redgrave plays Sister Jeanne, whose resentment helps fuel accusations of demonic possession that state agents exploit; the review also highlights the film’s portrayal of misogyny, hysteria and fascism.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.