I am so excited I am for The Devils 4k UHD release. April, baybee! Don’t worry, I already have my pre-order in.
In case you didn’t know (do you live under a rock?), there will be both a 3-disc Collector’s Edition 4k, and a 1-disc Standard Edition. We’re going to talk about what the Collector’s Edition includes, since that is obviously the version I care most about.
First of all, it contains ALL THREE CUTS – the US R-Rated, UK X-Rated, and the Director’s Cuts. There are also a TON of special features. For details, see the Instagram post below, which is the breakdown of everything it will include. There are hours and hours of pretty exhaustive looking special features. I am so amped.
The Standard Edition also has some cool stuff, but I need EXHAUSTIVE.
Now, about the movie. You’ve seen The Devils, right? RIGHT? If you haven’t, please go see it. It is still playing in a whole bunch of theaters around the world. It’s incredible. Truly. The Devils is based on the Aldous Huxley book, The Devils of Loudun. It recounts the real-life Loudun possessions of 1632–1634 in a small French town. The Devils of Loudun is a non-fiction account expressed in a novelistic style that was Huxley wrote in 1952. It inspired this movie as well as a play.
Now, the movie, The Devils, does stick relatively close to the book, although it definitely amps up the satire and adds a ton of visual interest. Your brain probably didn’t go directly to futuristic-ish, almost Metropolis style architecture in 17th century France, right? Well, in The Devils you get to enjoy that. The sets and settings are glorious. The city of Loudun is a beautiful, plague-addled fever dream. And Father Barre is a trip. He shouldn’t work, but somehow…
Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave turn in career best performances in The Devils. In fact, rumor has it that this was Reed’s favorite of his own work.
You should know that if you’re a religious zealot, you’re probably not going to like The Devils. But I’m an adult, with adult brain, and I can handle critique of major religions. I also don’t ascribe to any religion – that might help. Either way, if you’re so deeply into your god that you can’t handle critique of your religion and its trappings, you should probably work on that. It’s not personal. It’s actually critiquing the institution and the way religions can dampen individuals’ ability to think for themselves, so calm down.
Anyway, where was I going with this?
I don’t remember. Sorry, I got on a tangent.
So, umm…The Devils comes out on April 20, 2027. And if you can’t preorder it now because it sold out really quickly, keep an eye out for restocks. And see it in theater if you can manage it – it’s totally worth seeing on a big screen. You can look for a screening near you here.
Also, don’t be weird (or at least not religious-weird, otherwise, go off).
