The Devils 1971 Internet Archive →

"The Devil's 1971" refers to the 1971 film "The Devils" directed by Ken Russell, which is an adaptation of Aldous Huxley's novel "The Devils of Loudun". The film stars Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave.

The Internet Archive is a digital library that provides access to a wide range of content, including films, music, and books. In 2017, a restored version of "The Devils" (1971) was uploaded to the Internet Archive, allowing users to stream the film online for free.

Here are some interesting facts about "The Devils" (1971) and its presence on the Internet Archive:

• Restoration and release: The restored version of "The Devils" was released in 2017, marking the 46th anniversary of the film's original release. The restoration was undertaken by the BFI (British Film Institute) and was funded by the Film Foundation.
• Internet Archive upload: The restored version of the film was uploaded to the Internet Archive, where it is available to stream for free. The upload was a collaboration between the BFI, the Internet Archive, and the film's distributor, Arrow Video.
• Availability: The film is available to stream on the Internet Archive in high definition, with a runtime of 134 minutes (2 hours 14 minutes).
• Public domain: Although the film is not in the public domain, the Internet Archive's upload is a result of a collaboration with the film's rights holders, allowing for a limited release of the film for educational and archival purposes.

Streaming "The Devils" (1971) on the Internet Archive provides an opportunity for film enthusiasts to experience this cult classic, which is considered one of the most influential and groundbreaking films of all time.

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How to Watch The Devils on the Internet Archive (Safely)

If you want to experience this film, here is a practical guide:

1. Go to archive.org.
2. Search for: "The Devils 1971 Ken Russell uncut" or "The Devils 111 minutes".
3. Look for files with high download counts and positive user reviews. The most popular is usually a .mp4 or .mkv file titled "The Devils (1971) - Original Uncut Restoration (Fan-Reseed)."
4. Stream or Download: The Archive allows both. Streaming is fine, but downloading ensures you have a copy in case of takedown.
5. Quality Warning: Do not expect Criterion-level 1080p. Expect VHS-quality at best, with occasional grain, scratches, and color fading. That is part of the artifact’s history. Some uploads are better than others (look for ~4GB file sizes, not 700MB).

A note on the sound: The original soundtrack, composed by Peter Maxwell Davies (using a technique called "magic square" composition), is a chaotic, liturgical noise. On the Archive versions, it often sounds blown out. That is not a bug; that is the intended assault on the senses.

Review — The Devils (1971)

Ken Russell’s The Devils (1971) is a provocative, hallucinatory historical drama adapted from Aldous Huxley’s The Devils of Loudun and John Whiting’s stage play. It combines religious hysteria, political repression, and sexual transgression into a deliberately shocking cinematic experience.

Summary

• Setting: 17th-century Loudun, France.
• Core conflict: Father Urbain Grandier (played by Oliver Reed) is accused of witchcraft and sexual corruption by a group of nuns led by Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave), with political manipulation by Cardinal Richelieu’s agents.
• Tone: The film is operatic, surreal, and visually extravagant—often prioritizing atmosphere and allegory over straightforward narrative.

What stands out

• Visual style: Ken Russell’s direction is flamboyant and visceral. Staging, camera movement, striking production design, and montage create an intense sensory barrage.
• Performances: Oliver Reed is magnetic and defiant as Grandier; Vanessa Redgrave delivers a disturbing, obsessive turn; a strong supporting cast (including Christopher Logue and Dudley Sutton) heightens the film’s brutality and fervor.
• Themes: Religious fanaticism, abuse of power, sexual repression, and political opportunism are explored in an uncompromising, often ambiguous way.
• Sound and score: Peter Maxwell Davies’ score and eclectic sound design amplify the film’s ritualistic feel.

Strengths

• Unapologetically bold filmmaking that challenges viewers.
• Powerful, memorable scenes (notably courtroom and exorcism sequences).
• Rich in symbolism; rewards repeated viewings and analysis.

Weaknesses

• Extremely polarizing: its explicit sexual imagery and violence can feel exploitative rather than insightful to some viewers.
• Narrative coherence suffers at times under the weight of symbolic set pieces.
• Pacing can be uneven; long sequences of fevered imagery may alienate viewers seeking a conventional plot.

Cultural impact and controversy

• The Devils was heavily censored on release and remains controversial for its portrayal of religion and sexuality. It sparked debates about censorship, blasphemy, and artistic freedom.
• The film is now often discussed in film studies for its audacity, mise-en-scène, and as an example of transgressive 1970s British cinema.

Who will like it

• Viewers interested in bold, art-house cinema, films about religious and political power, and fans of Ken Russell’s maximalist style.
• Not recommended for those sensitive to explicit sexual content, religious sacrilege, or graphic violence.

Recommendation

• Approach with preparation: expect a challenging, confrontational film that prioritizes mood and provocation over subtlety. Best appreciated by viewers open to intense symbolic filmmaking.

If you want, I can summarize a specific print or release notes from the Internet Archive entry for The Devils (1971). the devils 1971 internet archive

Ken Russell’s controversial 1971 film The Devils is frequently accessed via the Internet Archive, which hosts user-uploaded versions, including restored footage that was cut from the original theatrical release. The platform provides various download formats and streaming options for the film, which remains difficult to access through official, high-definition channels due to rights issues. For more details on accessing this content, visit Internet Archive Help Center Internet Archive Help Center

Downloading – A Basic Guide - Internet Archive Help Center

About the film:

"The Devils" is a 1971 British historical drama film directed by Ken Russell, based on the 1952 novel "The Devils of Loudun" by Aldous Huxley. The film stars Oliver Reed, Vanessa Redgrave, and Max von Sydow. It's a dramatization of the Salem witch trials and the events surrounding the persecution of the Catholic priest Urbain Grandier.

Internet Archive details:

The 1971 version of "The Devils" is available on the Internet Archive (archive.org) in various formats, including:

• MP4 (H.264): A 2.1 GB file with a runtime of 137 minutes (2 hours 17 minutes).
• DivX: A 2.5 GB file with a runtime of 137 minutes (2 hours 17 minutes).

Guide to watching:

1. Streaming: You can stream the film directly from the Internet Archive website. Simply navigate to the film's page, click on the "Watch" button, and select your preferred format (MP4 or DivX).
2. Downloading: If you prefer to download the film, click on the "Download" button and select your preferred format. Please ensure you have sufficient storage space on your device.
3. Subtitles: There are no subtitles available for this version of the film.

Tips and warnings:

• Content warning: "The Devils" contains mature themes, including violence, torture, and explicit content. Viewer discretion is advised.
• Video quality: The film's video quality may vary depending on the format and your device's capabilities. The MP4 (H.264) version is likely to provide a better viewing experience.
• Audio: The film's audio is in English, with a mono soundtrack.

Additional resources:

• IMDb page: You can find additional information about the film on its IMDb page, including cast and crew details, user reviews, and ratings.
• Wikimedia Commons: The film's poster and other images are available on Wikimedia Commons.

Enjoy watching "The Devils" (1971) on the Internet Archive!

How to Watch (the Legal/Easy Way)

If you want a legit copy:

• Region-free Blu-ray – The BFI (UK) release is the best (region B). It includes the uncut version and Hell on Earth.
• Shudder (sometimes) – The edited 107-min version appears periodically.

But for the true, profane, complete 1971 vision that made Roger Ebert call it “a film only a demon could have directed”? The Internet Archive remains the people’s archive.

The Cuts: A Butchery in Three Acts

1. The UK (1971): The British Board of Film Censors (BBFC) demanded 12 cuts to secure an X rating. Director Ken Russell refused. After a standoff, Warner Bros. excised nearly four minutes of the "Rape of Christ" sequence and other sacrilegious imagery.
2. The US (1971): Warner Bros. panicked. They pulled the film from distribution entirely, then quietly released a heavily truncated version (105 minutes, down from the original 111). Many scenes of religious sadomasochism were gone.
3. The "VHS Hell" (1980s–1990s): For decades, only the butchered 108-minute US cut was available on home video. Russell’s original vision—dense, surreal, and unapologetic—became a legend whispered about in film magazines. The full "Rape of Christ" sequence was thought lost.

Ken Russell spent the rest of his life fighting Warner Bros. for the film’s restoration. By the time of his death in 2011, he had failed. The negative reels rotted in a vault. The official stance of Warner Bros. remained that the film was too controversial to ever see a complete, uncut release.