‘Ken Russell’s The Devils’ Director’s Cut Is Getting a Wickedly Lavish Home Release

It’s been a big year for horror, with the notable Oscar wins notched by Sinners and Weapons, the staggering box-office successes of Backrooms and Obsession, and the surprising viral fame enjoyed by Ken Russell’s The Devils. Back in 1971, the movie was a critical success but faced censorship over its blend of explicit sex and violence with religious themes. Over five decades later, the 4K restoration of Russell’s fully uncensored film, billed as the definitive director’s cut, is currently filling theaters, and we now know the details of its forthcoming home release. The good news: you can pre-order it now at major retailers; there will be both a Standard Edition ($37) and a Collector’s Edition ($77). The bad news: it won’t be in your greedy little hands until April 20, 2027. But it will be worth the wait. “In 17th-century Loudun, charismatic priest Father Grandier (Oliver Reed) finds himself at the center of a political and religious conspiracy when the tormented Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave) becomes consumed by obsession,” reads the official synopsis. “As accusations of possession, corruption, and witchcraft ignite mass hysteria, a shocking struggle for power threatens to destroy an entire community. Written and directed by Ken Russell, this visually breathtaking epic remains one of cinema’s most provocative and enduring works.” © Warner Bros. Clockwork Here’s the breakdown of each version of Ken Russell’s The Devils, as detailed by a Warner Bros. Clockwork press release. The Collector’s Edition may be more than double the price of the Standard Edition, but… aren’t you tempted? Ken Russell’s The Devils 3-Disc 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Collector’s Edition contains the following: © Warner Bros. Clockwork © Warner Bros. Clockwork © Warner Bros. Clockwork 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 U.S. 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 a Ken Russell interview 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 contains the following: © Warner Bros. Clockwork © Warner Bros. Clockwork 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 Want more io9 news? Check out the best movies and TV shows to stream this month and all the upcoming sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books that should be on your radar.