BFI to bring Ken Russell's controversial masterpiece The Devils to DVD for the first time!

[george n]

From the BFI's official press release:

BFI to bring Ken Russell's controversial masterpiece The Devils to DVD for the first time.

15 November 2011 - The BFI is thrilled to announce that it will be releasing one of the 'most-wanted' British films of all time, Ken Russell's bold and brilliant religious drama The Devils (1971), on DVD for the first time.

Forty years ago, The Devils caused outrage amongst audiences and critics after one of the longest-running battles with the BBFC was resolved, and the film was finally seen in cinemas. Now recognised as a landmark in British cinema history the film will at long last get its DVD premiere on 19 March 2012, in the original UK 'X' certificate version.

Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave give magnificent performances in what remains Ken Russell's most dazzling and controversial film - for which he won the prize for Best Director, Foreign Film at the Venice Film Festival. Based on John Whiting's stage-play and Aldous Huxley's novel, the film charts the seventeenth-century events that took place in the French city of Loudun. Reed plays priest Urbain Grandier, and Redgrave is Sister Jeanne, whose erotic obsession with him fuels the hysterical fervour that sweeps through the convent.

Derek Jarman designed the striking, highly memorable sets and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies composed a supremely well-matched score for Russell's arresting depiction of the breakdown of civilisation.

Film critic and expert Mark Kermode, who has written and broadcast extensively about The Devils, will be contributing to the special features. He comments:

'Ken Russell is one of Britain's greatest living filmmakers and The Devils remains his most incendiary work - an extraordinary and impassioned depiction of the unholy marriage of church and state which is as relevant today as it was when the film was first released.'

Sam Dunn, Head of BFI Video Publishing says:

'We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce the DVD premiere release of this extraordinary film. The Devils is one of the greatest British productions of all time, and our special edition will not only feature the longest version of the film ever to have been released on DVD, but will also include a host of new and exciting extra features.'

An announcement detailing the full list of extras and technical specifications will be made nearer to the release date.

[george n]

I really, really, really hope they do this on Blu-ray too.

the terms of the contract say dvd only:down:
Bfi's flipside range is also releasing andy milligans 'nightbirds' on blu ray at the end of february:up:

[Alison Jane]

It's ridiculous to me when things go from banned to getting one of the most respectable release possible.

[Todd Jordan]

Explain your logic please. Just because a room full of prudish, white-headed fuckwits opines a movie is not to be seen by the pubic, doesn't mean they shouldn't give it some respect ones said fuckwits have all finally died off and its no longer banned. Or does it?