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From the Warner Bros. Clockwork press release:
KEN RUSSELL’S THE DEVILS
THE DIRECTOR’S CUT. RESTORED. REMASTERED.
WARNER BROS. CLOCKWORK WILL RELEASE THE DEFINITIVE VERSION OF KEN RUSSELL’S MASTERPIECE IN A 3-DISC 4K UHD + BLU-RAY COLLECTOR’S EDITION AND STANDARD 4K UHD EDITION ON APRIL 20, 2027 – THE FIRST TIME EVER THAT THE FILM WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THESE FORMATS
Ken Russell’s The Devils, the 4K restoration of the definitive, uncensored director’s cut will be available for purchase on 4K UHD Blu-ray Disc on April 20, 2027. Following Warner Bros. Clockwork’s theatrical release of this version that has been 55 years in the making, the film arrives in 4K UHD for the first time ever. The 3-disc Collector’s Edition will include the 4K UHD presentation of the director’s cut as well as all three versions of the film for the first time ever on Blu-ray. The standard 4K UHD edition will include the director’s cut and new bonus material.
Both the Collector’s and Standard 4K UHD editions are now available to pre-order online at major retailers. Two versions of the 4K UHD disc will be available for purchase: the 4K UHD + Blu-ray Collector’s Edition as well as a standard 4K UHD Edition. The Collector’s Edition includes a rigid slipcase with an 8-panel 3-disc holder and 96-page book. There is more than 14 hours of material, including the Director’s Cut encoded by Fidelity in Motion on a 4K UHD disc; the Director’s Cut, UK X-rated cut and US R-rated cut on a Blu-ray disc; and a Blu-Ray disc including never-before-seen bonus material. The standard 4K UHD includes more than 4 hours of material in a slipcase with an 8-panel 1-disc digipak. This disc includes the Director’s Cut encoded by Fidelity in Motion and new bonus material. Pre-orders for both products begin today.
Ken Russell’s The Devils is the definitive cut of “The Devils”, and no other director’s cut formally exists. This cut was originally reconstructed in 2004 under the supervision of Ken Russell and the film’s editor Michael Bradsell with the collaboration of Mark Kermode. The 4K restoration was completed using the original camera negative at WB Water Tower Color, with audio restoration completed using original composite 35mm mag film at WB Sound.
The film stars Oliver Reed and Academy Award Winner Vanessa Redgrave. In 1971, the film received Best Director awards from two of the most prestigious institutions in the world: the 33rd Venice International Film Festival and the U.S. National Board of Review. Its critical reception in the following decades has only become more impassioned, championed by artists and film historians including Guillermo del Toro and Mark Kermode.
About the Film
In Ken Russell's The Devils, the legendary and controversial 1971 masterpiece returns in a stunning new 4K restoration, presenting the director's definitive vision for the first time. In 17th-century Loudun, charismatic priest Father Grandier (Oliver Reed) finds himself at the center of a political and religious conspiracy when the tormented Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave) becomes consumed by obsession. As accusations of possession, corruption, and witchcraft ignite mass hysteria, a shocking struggle for power threatens to destroy an entire community. Written and directed by Ken Russell, this visually breathtaking epic remains one of cinema's most provocative and enduring works.
Ken Russell’s The Devils 3-Disc 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Collector’s Edition contains the following:
- The first ever 4K UHD presentation of Ken Russell’s The Devils – the uncensored, definitive director’s cut – encoded by Fidelity In Motion with a newly restored monaural soundtrack.
- The first ever official Blu-ray presentations of Ken Russell’s The Devils, the uncensored, definitive director’s cut (114 mins); the UK X-Rated version (111 mins); and the US R-Rated version (108 mins), with a newly restored monaural soundtrack.
- Unedited 2004 audio commentary with Ken Russell, Michael Bradsell, Mark Kermode & Paul Joyce
- Never-before-seen extended scene
- New extended version of the documentary Hell on Earth: The Desecration and Resurrection of The Devils (2002) featuring additional interview footage with Ken Russell
- New 4K remaster of the short film Amelia and the Angel (1958 ) directed by Ken Russell
- New compilation of camera slates
- New interview with Guillermo del Toro on The Devils and the legacy of Ken Russell
- New introduction by Kleber Mendonça Filho at the first ever screening of Ken Russell’s The Devils in Brazil
- New extended interview with Mark Kermode on The Devils and the reconstruction of the definitive director’s cut
- New behind-the-scenes featurette on the picture and sound restoration
- Never-before-seen archival interviews with Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed
- Never-before-heard archival audio interviews between critic Richard Crouse and cast/crew
- Never-before-seen costume sketches by Shirley Russell with audio commentary by Victoria Russell
- Excerpt of Rupert Russell’s documentary Mad Dad, featuring never-before-seen Russell family photos
- 2004 Q&A with Ken Russell and Mark Kermode following the first ever screening of Ken Russell’s The Devils at the BFI Southbank NFT1
- 2010 Film at Lincoln Center Q&A with Ken Russell and Vanessa Redgrave
- Director of Devils (1971) featurette with behind-the-scenes footage and a Ken Russell interview
- Behind-the-scenes footage with commentary by Michael Bradsell
- Archival Trailers
- 2026 Theatrical Trailer
- 96-page book with never-before-seen photography and production materials, excerpts of the original continuity script, new essays by Mark Kermode and Linda Ruth Williams, and newly unearthed archival crew interviews
- and more…
Ken Russell’s The Devils 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Standard Edition contains the following:
- The first ever 4K UHD presentation of Ken Russell’s The Devils – the uncensored, definitive director’s cut – encoded by Fidelity In Motion with a newly restored monaural soundtrack.
- Unedited 2004 audio commentary with Ken Russell, Michael Bradsell, Mark Kermode & Paul Joyce
- New interview with Guillermo del Toro on The Devils and the legacy of Ken Russell
- 2004 Q&A with Ken Russell and Mark Kermode following the first ever screening of Ken Russell’s The Devils at the BFI Southbank NFT1
- Behind-the-scenes footage with commentary by Michael Bradsell
- Director of Devils (1971) featurette with behind-the-scenes footage and a Ken Russell interview
- Archival Trailers
- 2026 Theatrical Trailer
BASICS
Ken Russell’s The Devils Collector’s Edition
MSRP: $76.66
Ultra HD Blu-ray Languages: English, Parisian French, Italian, German, Castilian Spanish
Ultra HD Blu-ray Subtitles: English SDH, Parisian French, Latin Spanish, Dutch, Castilian Spanish, Italian, German, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
Director’s Cut Run Time: 114 minutes
UK X-Rated Run Time: 111 minutes
US R-Rated Run Time: 108 minutes
Director’s Cut Rating: NC-17 for sexual content/graphic nudity
US Cut Rating: R
UK Cut Rating: 18
Physical Street Date: April 20, 2027
Ken Russell’s The Devils Standard Edition
MSRP: $36.66
Ultra HD Blu-ray Languages: English, Parisian French, Italian, German, Castilian Spanish
Ultra HD Blu-ray Subtitles: English SDH, Parisian French, Latin Spanish, Dutch, Castilian Spanish, Italian, German, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
Director’s Cut Run Time: 114 minutes
Director’s Cut Rating: NC-17 for sexual content/graphic nudity
Physical Street Date: April 20, 2027
About Warner Bros. Clockwork
Warner Bros. Clockwork is a home for singular filmmakers who powerfully connect with audiences theatrically across the world. The label builds on Warner Bros.’ longstanding legacy of producing socially relevant, provocative, and culturally resonant cinema for audiences globally. Upcoming films include TI AMO!, the new film by Academy Award®-winner Sean Baker; THE BRIGANDS OF RATTLECREEK directed by Park Chan-wook; the new Mary Bronstein film NASTY starring Jenna Ortega and Rose Byrne; and the new film by Academy Award®-nominee Noah Baumbach.
WARNING: Trailer contains flashing images
https://youtu.be/ImeXlanF3iY
Here's a clip that shows the before and after restoration shots:
https://youtu.be/UHgFXc0qsoc
Russell's works have often been controversial, but none more so that this film. I think he'd be surprised at what an absolutely lavish release this is getting. Check out the before and after clip to see just how much better this looks. It's a must have for Russell fans.