- In 2012 the BFI persuaded Warners to allow them to release the film on video in the UK. Warners refused to allow the director's cut at all and would only allow the BFI to release the original 'X' certificate version on DVD. Warners refused permission to allow a hi rez release. The BFI produced a superb DVD transfer for the first time in its proper 2.35:1 ratio. The Channel 4 documentary 'Hell on Earth' was included but the 'Rape of Christ' sequence was removed. They also cut a line of dialogue when one of the actors refers to Warners as a bunch of 'c**ts'. Before this in the USA the 'unrated' version appeared as an upcoming release complete with sleeve art. 24 hours later Warners stopped the release!
- Film Censorship In Australia. The Commonwealth Film Censorship Board imposed unprecedented advertising demands on a British film, 'The Devils', directed by Ken Russell. 'The Devils', produced by Russo Productions Ltd, has been registered "restricted" uncut on condition that all advertising be cleared by the chief film censor and carry a notice about the nature of the film. These details were contained in the Film Censorship Bulletin for January 1972, and a 9979-feet (110:53) version of THE DEVILS was passed with an R classification. It was registered, subject to the special conditions that:-
- - - All advertising clearly indicates that this film is classified as shown on the Certificate of Registration,
- - - All advertising (including any trailers) shall carry the following words:- "The Devils' is not a film for everyone. It tells of hideous events which allegedly occurred in France in 1634. Because the film is explicit and highly graphic in depicting those events, some-people will find it visually shocking and deeply disturbing."
- - - A notice bearing the words:- " 'The Devils' is not a film for everyone. It tells of hideous events which allegedly occurred in France in 1634. Because the film is explicit and highly graphic in depicting those events, some people will find it visually shocking and deeply disturbing" shall be displayed outside all places where the film is being or is to be exhibited.
- - - All advertising, whether - imported or locally-produced (or combination of imported and local produced) shall be submitted to the Chief Film Censor and shall be approved by him before release.
- - - These conditions are imposed under the general power to put whatever conditions are thought appropriate upon the registration of any film.
- Originally released with an X-rating, later edited down to allow a R-rating.
- Before release, the British censors required the removal of a four-minute sequence showing a group of demented nuns raping a statue of Christ. This sequence was long thought to be lost until film critic Mark Kermode found the footage in a film-storage warehouse and included it in a documentary on 'Ken Russell' entitled "Hell on Earth", which premiered on UK television in November 2002. When shown, the sequence was two-and a half minutes long.
- 35mm prints in British distribution have been shortened by approximately 10 minutes for reissue on a double bill. The most common video release is the more heavily censored American version.
- The version of this film released in 1997 by Warner Home Video (UK) as part of the 'Maverick Directors' series clocks in at 106mins, 30secs on PAL, suggesting the original 111min version of the film was used as the master.
- The heavily cut R-rated version runs 103 min.
- 1) Warner Brothers removed the Rape of Christ before submitting the film to the British censors.
- 2) The British censors removed a further 89 seconds. The resulting 111-minute cut is the longest existing version of The Devils.
- 3) American censors cut two minutes and re-edited another two minutes to produce the R-rated version.
- The full 111-minute version was released on video in 1997 in the Maverick Directors series. All other video releases used the heavily cut American version (even UK video releases) in a murky and grainy transfer that was an insult to the film's excellent cinematography and artwork.
- The UK version of the Devils is 111 minutes long. The US version is 109 minutes.
- A restored version of The Devils was screened at The National Film Theatre in London on 23/11/04. Two scenes had been reinstated - the Rape of Christ which brought the orgy to a climax, and a scene near the end of the film when Jeanne masturbates with the bone that Laubardemont has given her as a souvenir.
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