Ken Russell's Controversial Classic 'The Devils' Gets a 4K Restoration and Limited Theatrical Run This October
Ken Russell's 1971 film 'The Devils' is reportedly returning to theaters this October with a newly completed 4K restoration. According to Dread Central, a new trailer has been released showcasing the restored footage, which the outlet describes as looking stunning. The film has long been considered one of the most controversial and visually striking works in cinema history, dealing with themes of religious hysteria, demonic possession, and institutional corruption in 17th-century France. The story is rooted in the real historical case of the Loudun possessions, in which a group of Ursuline nuns allegedly became possessed by demons, leading to the trial and execution of a Catholic priest named Urbain Grandier. The source material does not specify which distributor is handling the theatrical release, how wide the run will be, or what version of the film, given its complicated censorship history, is being restored and screened. What is confirmed is that a 4K restoration trailer exists and that a theatrical release is planned for October 2026.
Jason's TakeI've always had a lot of respect for films that take historical cases of alleged possession seriously, and the Loudun possessions are genuinely fascinating from an investigative standpoint. 'The Devils' is a hard watch but it's grounded in real events, and that matters to me. I'd be curious to see how the restoration looks and whether this version restores any of the footage that was cut over the years.