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- 4K restoration brings Ken Russell’s vision back to life
- Why the movie stirred outrage and stayed off screens
- Warner Bros. Clockwork: a new repertory label takes on a cult classic
- Performances, design, and collaborators to watch
- What the restored material means for audiences and scholars
- Practical details and what to watch for this fall
Ken Russell’s once-banned shocker, The Devils, is about to reappear on the big screen in a form the director intended. A new 4K restoration from Russell’s original negative will debut at Cannes 2026, and a limited theatrical run follows this October.
4K restoration brings Ken Russell’s vision back to life
The restoration was assembled directly from Russell’s original camera negative. Technicians worked to return color, grain, and framing to the way the filmmaker shot it. This is being presented as the first widely available version of the film that matches Russell’s original edit.
Cannes programmers placed the print in the festival’s Classics strand. That spot offers a global platform for older films presented with fresh restorations.
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Why the movie stirred outrage and stayed off screens
Russell’s adaptation centers on Urbain Grandier, a real 17th-century priest accused of witchcraft in France. The director amplified drama, sexual themes, and violence to provoke a reaction.
- The plot includes a jealous nun and explosive courtroom scenes.
- Graphic sexual imagery and brutality led to censorship battles.
- Studios demanded cuts; even then the film carried an X rating.
Those disputes pushed The Devils into a controversial status. For decades, only edited prints circulated. The newly restored cut returns sequences that were removed decades ago.
Warner Bros. Clockwork: a new repertory label takes on a cult classic
Warner Bros. Clockwork, a niche label launched by Christian Parkes, will handle the release. Parkes is known for his work at Neon, and Clockwork plans both repertory revivals and new acquisitions.
- Clockwork’s first original production is Sean Baker’s Ti Amo!.
- The Devils will be the label’s inaugural repertory title.
- The film’s U.S. theatrical window opens as a short engagement on October 16, 2026.
After the one-week run in America, an international rollout is scheduled. The strategy favors event screenings to reach cinephiles and critics.
Performances, design, and collaborators to watch
The Devils features an ensemble cast that anchors Russell’s excesses with committed performances. Key players include:
- Vanessa Redgrave
- Oliver Reed
- Dudley Sutton
- Gemma Jones
- Murray Melvin
- Brian Murphy
The film’s visual world was shaped by production designer Derek Jarman. Jarman later became a major voice in queer cinema and art filmmaking. His early contribution to The Devils added stark, unsettling imagery that still divides viewers today.
What the restored material means for audiences and scholars
Restorations affect how a film is read by new generations. In this case, the recovered footage alters pacing, tone, and intensity. Film historians expect fresh debate about censorship, artistic intent, and historical adaptation.
- Viewers will see restored sequences that were key to Russell’s narrative choices.
- Critics can re-evaluate the film’s place in 1970s cinema and cultural controversy.
- Students of film design can study Jarman’s early visual work in context.
Presenting the director’s preferred cut at Cannes gives The Devils a renewed critical moment.
Practical details and what to watch for this fall
The Cannes screening arrives before the theatrical engagement, building publicity. In the U.S., the film will screen for one week starting Friday, October 16, 2026. International bookings will follow.
Look for restored technical credits and notes in program guides. Many repertory releases include supplementary material such as:
- Restoration notes from archivists
- New interviews with cast or crew
- Introductory essays in festival catalogs
These extras help frame the film for audiences who never had access to Russell’s full version.
