Found this on Letterboxd a few weeks ago when searching for some unique horror films to check out. More interest appeared recently with the trailer of an upcoming 4k release of the 70s original. Now, if you know even a little bit about film, you'll know that the 70s was riddled with chaos when it came to the film industry. It was the time cinema really finding its footing and pretty much nothing was too far. Nudity became the norm within media, as did violence and as much cursing as humanely possible. Cinema thrived on the idea of being as edgy as it could, and this produced a bunch of insane films throughout the decade. Ultimately, I'd say the 70s was the decade of the shock value. A bit of an immature phase, so to speak.
The Devils is a film that tells the true story Urbain Grandier of the 17th century. A priest that got a bit too caught up in the political sphere and was accused of witchcraft following a series of alleged possessions that took place in Loudun. With the arrival of Grandier in Loudun, we immediately see a corrupt group of nuns that are lusting over him, already in deep thought of sin. The film continues with this theme of nuns failing to maintain their devotion to the church and in constant sin. Lusting over Grandier as if he's some irresistible force. Grandier is accused of being responsible for much of these alleged possessions and thus accused of witchcraft. There's much more to it, but that's the general gist of it. Though surrounding this theme is the blatant connection between state and church, and the corruption that is blatantly evident within the two with their allied nature, alongside the ways in which both are quick to lie and accuse others of corruption and sin to hide their ways.
This is where the film is quite interesting, it really is about that desperation of the corrupt to use others as scapegoats, to wash off their own sins with the lies of sinful others. Rather than to accept their own sins and failures. Something primarily evident even today in governments. To no surprise, this film was banned in many nations and remained incredibly controversial for its themes displaying sinful nuns, affairs, and politics.
Within all of this is a deeply beautiful film though, visually artistic and filmed in a very dreamy way. Shot on 35mm film, the colours are both dark and rich. Strong whites, dark shadows, and vibrant reds. The cinematography takes things to another level with its perception of the Holy. It still considers these places and themes to be fragile, but doesn't shy away from the main thing it's trying to say. That even the most beautiful and gentle spaces can be tainted. It's hard to say whether I liked the film or not. On one hand it's certainly clear as to why it is controversial. It's evident as to why so many critics disliked it upon release. But it's a very raw film, and one that says what it intends to in a beautifully shot manner. The horror side of it is much psychological, rather than visual.
I think people discovering the film suddenly is a good thing though. The people that originally saw and reviewed it back in 1971 certainly had a different perspective on things, much like we do now. The tolerance (ironically a theme of the film) for such controversial subjects has shifted in recent years. We're much more familiar with the dystopian, self-destructive, and heavily desensitised via social media and the Internet. Perhaps The Devils finally found its real understanding audience almost 60 years later.