The Devils, by Ken Russell, about inquisition and much more.

[loreta]

Maybe you know this movie, maybe not but each time we talk about inquisition I remember this strange movie, very good one, where inquisition is the subject and well analysed and well explain. Seeing the movie you have the impression to be there, in this terrible epoch where also madness was very present because of rigid laws. Based on a true story.

The Devils is a 1971 British historical drama and horror film directed by Ken Russell and starring Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave. It is based partially on the 1952 book The Devils of Loudun by Aldous Huxley, and partially on the 1960 play The Devils by John Whiting, also based on Huxley's book. The film is a dramatised historical account of the rise and fall of Urbain Grandier, a 17th-century Roman Catholic priest executed for witchcraft following the supposed possessions in Loudun, France. Reed plays Grandier in the film and Vanessa Redgrave plays a sexually-repressed nun who finds herself inadvertently responsible for the accusations.

Splendid acts of Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave. More than an horror movie this one is a movie where you can feel the horror of the inquisition. Has someone saw this movie? Did you like it? This is not an easy movie! But a very, very interesting one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devils_(film)

 

[caballero reyes]

There are two movie versions of the possesion of the nuns of Loudun, France.


In 1634 the Ursuline nuns of Loudon were allegedly possessed by demons. This is one of the largest cases of mass possession in history. Father Urbain Grandier, a local priest, was interrogated under torture, convicted of being responsible for the possessions (as well as sorcery), and subsequently burned at the stake.


"MOTHER JOAN OF THE ANGELS" (POLISH) 1961 Dir. Jersy Kawalerowics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Csawcl48ZE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p44Bpvdd5o



"THE DEVILS" (ENGLISH) 1971 Dir. ken Russell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5SnTm1vBD0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Xgm1u_SF4

 

[loreta]

Yes, you are right. Now you talk about it, I remember also to have seen the Polish version, very different from the version of Russell. In fact the Polish movie was the first I saw and the first time I hear about this hysterical situation. Thanks to remind.

 

[Palinurus]

Thank you loreta for bringing this up. I'm familiar with the story but didn't know it has been filmed twice. My acquaintance with this theme stems from the opera Krzysztof Penderecki made about it, which I've seen on TV, I believe, and/or heard on the radio, probably as a Holland Festival production in the early 1970's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devils_of_Loudun_(opera)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krzysztof_Penderecki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Krzysztof_Penderecki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urbain_Grandier

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland_Festival

 

[loreta]

Thank you loreta for bringing this up. I'm familiar with the story but didn't know it has been filmed twice. My acquaintance with this theme stems from the opera Krzysztof Penderecki made about it, which I've seen on TV, I believe, and/or heard on the radio, probably as a Holland Festival production in the early 1970's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devils_of_Loudun_(opera)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krzysztof_Penderecki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Krzysztof_Penderecki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urbain_Grandier

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland_Festival

Thanks for this information, I did not know that there exist an opera about it.

The information about Grandier is really interesting. Hoax or not, the story is really fascinating.

 

[lewis_86]

Have seen the Ken Russell movie, would like to read the Huxley book at some point.

I thought it was a great movie. The scenes of mass possession of the nuns are quite terrifing. Interesting to note as well that the original release received an X rated certificate.

The film brings to mind another depiction of Witch Craft-ery from the same era, "Blood on Satans Claw" (Fans of the original Wickerman might also enjoy this).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_on_Satan's_Claw (I personally wouldn't read the whole plot description as it tends to ruin the viewing...)