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"Devils" DVD on 5.20?
There's been a quiet unconfirmed leak that Warner Home Video is finally releasing Ken Russell's The Devils ('71) on DVD on May 20th. Update: Warner Bros. video spokesperson Carl Samrock told me around 6 pm that there are "no plans to release The Devils per WHV."
A cult favorite that conveys a very dark and weird vibe, The Devils is a brilliant but extremely perverse historical fantasy about medieval political persecution that starred Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave.
I was told earlier this afternoon that the DVD would run 111 minutes, which would be eight minutes longer than the 103 minute version released theatrically in the U.S. 37 and a half years ago. A moot point, obviously, if Samrock's statement can be fully trusted.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 28, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Posted by Devin Faraci ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 28, 2008 03:55 PM
Posted by christian at February 28, 2008 03:56 PM
comment #3
JD says ...
I've always loved this movie -- as much as you can love any pan-and-scan VHS, anyway -- but what I'm really hoping for is a DVD of The Music Lovers. If Warner is as awesome as I think they are, maybe they'll put out a bunch of Russell's 70s movies simultaneously: ie. The Music Lovers, The Devils, The Boy Friend, Savage Messiah, Lisztomania, Valentino, etc. Some of these are tied-up somewhere between Warner and MGM/UA so I don't know which ones Warner can releases, but Russell is 80... if he's ever gonna record commentaries for these fascinatingly odd movies, now's the time.
Posted by JD at February 28, 2008 04:15 PM
comment #4
btwnproductions says ...
Its ace cinematographer, David Watkin (an Oscar winner for OUT OF AFRICA) died a few days ago at age 82.
Posted by btwnproductions at February 28, 2008 04:25 PM
comment #5
bmcintire says ...
Finally! I can happily retire my VHS copy of this (years after retiring my last VHS player).
J.D. - Only THE MUSIC LOVERS and VALENTINO are MGM's. The rest have become property of Warner Bros. Here's hoping!
Posted by bmcintire at February 28, 2008 04:30 PM
comment #6
frank delsa says ...
The Devils is incredible. Great news.
Posted by frank delsa at February 28, 2008 05:25 PM
comment #7
JaySmire says ...
Call me vain. Call me proud. Call me the greatest sinner put upon God's earth. But Satan's boy, I could never be. I haven't the humility.
One of my all time favorite moments from one of my all time favorite films. Saw this film twice in theaters over the past 15 years. Have always wanted to see the uncut version. I will be picking this up the second it is out.
Posted by JaySmire at February 28, 2008 05:46 PM
Posted by Mikey Filmmaker at February 28, 2008 05:49 PM
comment #9
MPNeeb says ...
I'm hoping this mean other Ken Russel films get a release: Isadora, Music Lovers...
Never satisfied.
Posted by MPNeeb at February 28, 2008 06:07 PM
comment #10
scooterzz says ...
i've been a fan of russell since my teens but you've gotta admit that for every great film he turned out, there was a real stinker (frankly, i love the bad ones as much as the good but that doesn't make them any less bad).....
that said, i get all the warner home vid press releases and can't find anything on 'the devils'.....
Posted by scooterzz at February 28, 2008 06:36 PM
comment #11
The Hoyk says ...
Your contact may be out of the loop. DVDActive has received larger artwork and an essential confirmation, albeit with no further details:
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/the-devils.html
Warner Home Video has sent over official artwork for an unrated edition (111 minutes) of the 1971 film The Devils which stars Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed, and Dudley Sutton. The Ken Russell directed horror will be available to own from the 20th May, and should retail at around $19.99. As far as we know, no extra material will be included. If that changes, we will of course let you know.
Posted by The Hoyk at February 28, 2008 08:24 PM
comment #12
TheJeff says ...
Studio publicists are usually the last people to know what's going on. Seriously.
Posted by TheJeff at February 28, 2008 10:23 PM
comment #13
BurmaShave says ...
In the spirit of Mick LaSalle, I haven't seen much Ken Russell. He's something I think it's best to discover on your own by accident, as I did about a year ago watching THE MUSIC LOVERS at about 1 AM on IFC or something. Insanity. I look forward to more and would love a big DVD push.
Posted by BurmaShave at February 28, 2008 11:31 PM
comment #14
Terry McCarty says ...
I wouldn't mind seeing THE BOY FRIEND in an uncut version. The only time I saw it was in the 70s on CBS, which cut it to 72 minutes (plus commercials to fill out the 90-minute time slot).
Posted by Terry McCarty at February 28, 2008 11:51 PM
comment #15
Howlingman says ...
So it's apparently off again? Damn. I have two bootlegs of this -- one VHS, one DVD. The VHS is the proper aspect ratio, the DVD isn't, but has a couple of nifty documentaries on it.
Video Watchdog did a cover story on the restored version some years back that's definitely worth a read.
Posted by Howlingman at February 29, 2008 07:17 AM
comment #16
Edward says ...
Maybe it's my Catholic background (including a year in the seminary), but I love The Devils! Ken Russell sure had quite a streak of amazing films; even his not so great films like Tommy were so much fun to watch.
Posted by Edward at February 29, 2008 11:35 AM
comment #17
lionsfan says ...
I remember when several female cast members of the movie, according to Variety and the Brit papers at the time, at least threatened to file suit against the film's director and producers, on the grounds that some cast members had taken the orgy scenes way too seriously.
And the Aldous Huxley book on which Russell's film is at least nominally based is a very badly written piece of anti-Christian claptrap.
Posted by lionsfan at February 29, 2008 11:57 AM
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