Satan is ever ready to seduce us with sensual delights, but Warner Bros. Clockwork has us panting and writhing for the long-awaited physical media release of Ken Russell’s The Devils. The infamous Holy Grail of Controversial Cinema was once next to impossible to see legally in any form, but the director’s cut was thought to be the stuff of legend. But after a strong box office performance (especially for a film rated NC-17) during its initial re-release window, Clockwork announced that Ken Russell’s The Devils will be in theaters “indefinitely.” Meaning, if a theater wants to screen it, they can and they will. But for those who live in areas where The Devils has yet to play, we come bearing the good gospel.
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 box set artwork is GORGEOUS, crafted by Sister Hyde Design — who also created the mouthwatering posters (and that gigantic cross standee) popping up in theaters everywhere.
Ken Russell’s The Devils is the definitive cut, 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, in collaboration with 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.
Pre-orders for both products begin today.
Ken Russell’s The Devils 3-Disc 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Collector’s Edition, which goes for $76.66, 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 an interview with Ken Russell.
- 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, which retails at $36.66, 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.
God, someone get me a charred femur bone so I can properly deal with how this release is overtaking me. Until then, you can check out our review of the director’s cut right here.
Supporting the opportunity to see Ken Russell’s The Devils is about more than contributing to the virtual watercooler. This is about using your dollar to signal to the powers that be that you want to preserve cinematic history, challenge the legacy of censorship, and show there is a genuine audience for restoring films that have been suppressed, altered to enforce the status quo, or outright banned.
Every ticket sale or physical media purchase sends a message to cinemas, distributors, archives, and restoration organizations that there is an appetite for films beyond the familiar mainstream catalog. Restoration requires investment, resources, and incredible dedication from experts of the craft, and that doesn’t come cheap.
In the face of algorithmic nightmares making decisions for viewers, audiences have proven that they are curious about cinema's more complicated history and willing to engage with films that challenge conventional tastes and sensibilities. Supporting Ken Russell's The Devils means supporting the idea that film history should be preserved in its entirety, not just the parts that are comfortable or commercially convenient.
And while Ken Russell's The Devils is unique in its premise, it is by no means the only film that has spent decades languishing in bureaucratic red tape. If we want these films to survive, we have to show that people still want to see them, and that means weaponizing our dollar.
The physical street date for this release is April 20, 2027.
