Article Index :: Front Page
Ken Russell’s The Devils
By Kevin - 08.24.01
Lightweights. Posers. I know not a single person who has seen or heard of this, one of the greatest and most powerful films of the last 30 years. It is very rare that a film is so mesmerizing that I write a review of it, but this screams “exception!” This film is certainly not for all tastes, and to all but the most grizzled, will shock and disgust to a certain extent. Seeing as new films tend to cater to the less literary and thought-intensive crowd, one must rely on older and more daring films.
The Devils is based upon an Aldous Huxley novel entitled The Devils of Loudon. The film takes place in Loudon, France, during the 17th century. Plague and religious war have ravaged the land (the religious wars in France at that time were between the Catholics and the French Protestants). In the still fortified city of Loudon, a renegade man of the cloth Urbain Grandier (played to perfection by Oliver Reed) attempts to keep the city walled and Cardinal Richlieu from killing the Protestants. Almost all of the women in the city are infatuated with Grandier, no exception for the Cloistered nuns. The deformed Sister Jeanne fights her passion and lust for the man through self-mutilation, and begins to go insane with love (though she fears to carry out her dreams, as she is a nun and thinks that her deformed back would prevent Grandier from loving her). Grandier has troubles of his own: he shamelessly sleeps with women, and even gets a local nobleman’s daughter pregnant (Philippe, played by the hauntingly lovely Georgina Hale). He eventually finds true, pure love in a devoutly religious woman, Madeleine. Once the infatuated Sister Jeanne finds out, she goes completely insane, stating that she was raped by the Grandier, that he is a sorcerer, and is in league with Satan. A professional exorcist is brought in, Father Barre, played by the quintessential hippie, Michael Gothard. Things take a turn for the worse. What ensues is the insanity of all of the nuns, claiming to have been tempted by Satan, Grandier’s loss of power, and the disintegration of the city.
Gerogina Hale, in the only picture of her that I could find from this film. Notice the striking face makeup, which gave her character a mysterious edge, and the nipple.
Now for what makes this film great: SHOCK VALUE. Holy crap folks, you just aren’t ready for what the eccentric Ken Russell has in store for you. Masterbating nuns, graphic depictions of medieval medicine, sex, violence, torture, and all sorts of grisly images. What good is cinema if it bores? This film is simply captivating, even during the lengthy monologues. All of the acting is top-shelf, and the dialogue actually invokes thought and demands consideration. Director Russell is a master Imagist, and creates many memorable scenes. The sets are amongst the most stellar and imaginative ever, and truly make the picture what it is.
Shocking Image!
It is a shame that this one isn’t on DVD, as it requires several viewings and could use a pristine transfer. To conclude, this film is a must for all fans of off-beat, excessive, weird, intelligent, and historically important movies. Be warned: it is a film that is sure to haunt you for many months, and will certainly not be forgotten!
~Kevin
Article Index :: Front Page
|
|
