Fifty-five years after its original release, KEN RUSSELL’S THE DEVILS returns in its definitive director’s cut, fully restored in 4K and set to premiere at Cannes Classics during the 79th Cannes Film Festival this May.
For the first time, audiences will experience the film exactly as Russell intended, marking a landmark moment in British cinema history.
Long regarded as one of the most controversial and visually audacious films ever produced by Warner Bros., KEN RUSSELL’S THE DEVILS will debut in its restored form at Cannes before receiving a global theatrical release this autumn via the studio’s new label, Warner Bros. Clockwork.
The global theatrical release will begin in North America on 16 October 2026, as an exclusive nationwide one-week engagement in select theatres. Warner Bros. Clockwork will release the film internationally, and in partnership with the BFI in the UK.
The Definitive Director’s Cut Of The Devils Finally Unveiled
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 and Paul Joyce.
The new 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.
Warner Bros. Clockwork’s release of KEN RUSSELL’S THE DEVILS marks the first time Russell’s defining masterpiece will officially be made accessible to the public.
Cannes Classics 2026: A Landmark Premiere
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival runs from 12 to 23 May 2026, with KEN RUSSELL’S THE DEVILS selected as an official Cannes Classics entry. The section celebrates cinema heritage, positioning Russell’s work alongside the most significant restorations in world cinema.
For Warner Bros. Clockwork, this marks the label’s first repertory title, signalling a commitment to restoring and re-releasing culturally important works from the studio’s library.
A Prescient Epic Of Obsession And Corruption
Originally released in 1971, KEN RUSSELL’S THE DEVILS stars Oliver Reed as Father Urbain Grandier and Vanessa Redgrave as Sister Jeanne. The film explores religious hysteria, political manipulation and institutional corruption in 17th-century France.
In addition to powerhouse performances, the film showcases the stunning work of artists at the peak of their craft: Academy Award®-winning cinematographer David Watkin (Out of Africa, Chariots of Fire); editor Michael Bradsell (Local Hero, Jabberwocky); and production designer Derek Jarman, marking his feature film debut.
Despite facing censorship and distribution restrictions, the film received Best Director recognition at the Venice International Film Festival and from the US National Board of Review. Over subsequent decades, critical opinion has shifted dramatically, with filmmakers and historians including Guillermo del Toro and Mark Kermode championing its artistic significance.
Warner Bros. Clockwork And The Future Of Repertory Cinema
Warner Bros. Clockwork positions itself as a platform for singular filmmakers who powerfully connect with audiences theatrically across the world. KEN RUSSELL’S THE DEVILS follows the label’s recent acquisition of Sean Baker’s TI AMO!, underlining its ambition to bridge classic and contemporary visionary filmmaking.
The label builds on Warner Bros.’ longstanding legacy of producing socially relevant, provocative, and culturally resonant cinema for audiences globally.
KEN RUSSELL’S THE DEVILS follows the label’s recent acquisition of Sean Baker’s TI AMO!, underlining its ambition to bridge classic and contemporary visionary filmmaking.
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