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The Devils

The Devils

Drama · History · Horror · 1971

In 1634 France, charismatic Father Urbain Grandier becomes the target of a sexually obsessed nun’s witchcraft accusations, which corrupt church and state officials are all too happy to exploit.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Movie details

The Devils

“Hell will hold no surprises for them...”

1971 Drama · History · Horror 1h 52m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.5 / 10

Community rating

In 1634 France, charismatic Father Urbain Grandier becomes the target of a sexually obsessed nun’s witchcraft accusations, which corrupt church and state officials are all too happy to exploit.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Devils?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Ken Russell

Written by

Ken Russell

Vanessa Redgrave

Vanessa Redgrave

Sister Jeanne des Anges

Oliver Reed

Oliver Reed

Father Urbain Grandier

Dudley Sutton

Dudley Sutton

Baron de Laubardemont

Max Adrian

Max Adrian

Ibert

Gemma Jones

Gemma Jones

Madeleine de Brou

Murray Melvin

Murray Melvin

Father-Canon Jean Mignon

Michael Gothard

Michael Gothard

Father Pierre Barre

Court is in session

Put The Devils on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.