The Devils – Emma Westwood

THE DEVILS (dir. Ken Russell, 1971) sits somewhere at the pointy top end of my list of ‘The Best Films of All Time’, and that’s despite the film being eviscerated by censors at the time of its release… until now!

This is the day I thought would never come. I had good reason to be pessimistic. Even Ken Russell, the film’s visionary maker, said: “It’s a lost film now. You’ll never see it the way I wanted you to. Never.”

But with a little bit of persistence and magic on the behalf of supporters (including film critic Mark Kermode and Russell’s wife, Lisi) and a backflip on behalf of the studio, THE DEVILS uncut is due to be born.

It debuted to rapturous audiences at Cannes 2026 as the inaugural release from Warner Bros’ new indie production and distribution arm, Warner Bros. Clockwork. Now, it’s getting general release worldwide in October (US on 16th October, Australia on 29th October and UK on 30th October).

I will be seeing it and I will have something to say. In the meantime, I invite you to read the original in-depth article I wrote for Screen Magazine documenting THE DEVILS’ controversial journey thus far; an epic journey that commenced 55 years ago.

Public appearances have been few and far between during this global pandemic but, with a little bit of luck, I’ll be dusting myself off for another Cinemaniacs joint on 27th August at ACMI, Melbourne, Australia. Here’s a bit about it:

“Launching from a 20-minute video essay detailing various components of Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) by Lee Gambin, fellow critics Emma Westwood and Jarret Gahan will discuss works that caused controversy, sometimes sparking protest, as well as the role of the rock opera through a cinematic lens.”

“From religious themed films that prompted outrage such as The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and Ken Russell’s The Devils (1971) to Russell’s manic magnificence in his filmic adaptation of The Who’s Tommy (1975), this will be a rollicking panel conversation.”

You can book tix now via ACMI’s website:

Update, September 2026: The wait described below is over. A fully restored 4K version of The Devils — cut to Ken Russell’s own direction and drawn from his 2004 private edit with support from his partner Lisi Russell — premiered at Cannes Classics in May 2026 to rapturous reviews, and Warner Bros. Clockwork will release it theatrically in the US on 16 October 2026, with a UK release via BFI Distribution following on 30 October. Read on for the censorship saga that made this moment fifty-five years in the making.

Feature article published in Screem Magazine in 2015 on The Devils (dir. Ken Russell, 1971): Continue reading “The Cruelest Cut: Castrating The Devils” →

Tag: The Devils

THE DEVILS Uncut: At last!

Cut the Protesting: A look at Jesus Christ Superstar and more!

The Cruelest Cut: Castrating The Devils