The Devils (re-release)

France, 1634. As the corrupt Cardinal Richelieu seeks to seize power in the town of Loudun, with only the charismatic priest Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed) standing in his way, the sexually frustrated nun Jeanne des Anges (Vanessa Redgrave) seizes her opportunity. She accuses Grandier of witchcraft and of the possession of other sisters, triggering a wave of mass hysteria. The Devils lays bare the cesspool of ecclesiastical and political corruption. With its theatrical aesthetic, surreal set designs, and harrowing escalation, the film shies away from no taboo. The result is a searing masterpiece that blends history, satire, and horror - a controversial cult classic and visual spectacle that remains as relevant and shocking today as it was half a century ago. For lovers of the genre, its restored director’s cut is a must-see on the big screen.

The psychological horror film The Devils, directed by Oscar nominee Ken Russell, was released in 1971 and won the Pasinetti Award for Best Foreign Film at the Venice Film Festival that same year. Remarkable, given that the film was either banned or heavily censored for theatrical release in several countries. The film is based in part on Aldous Huxley’s book The Devils of Loudun and the stage play The Devils by John Whiting - both of which were also considered controversial. A 4K re-release of Ken Russell’s The Devils premiered at Cannes in the spring of 2026, and has not previously been screened in cinemas in Friesland.