I’m utterly knocked out by one of the boldest studio releases you’ll see this year. And guess what? It’s from 1971. I’d seen Ken Russell’s THE DEVILS on a late-’90s UK VHS release, cut by the censors. Even in that muted form, it was still powerful. Cut to 2026, and thanks to Mark Kermode (@KermodeMovie), the restoration wizards at Warners and the brand new team at @clockwork_wb, Russell’s uncut, formerly unreleased version finally comes to big screens on October 16. I urge any self-respecting film fan, save the faint-hearted, to see this wild piece of cinema while you can. I was lucky enough to see the West Coast premiere as Beyond Fest’s closing film. The restoration is fantastic, and the film remains shocking. It’s a reminder of how daring Warner Bros could be: between 1970 and 1973, the studio released PERFORMANCE, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, DIRTY HARRY, DELIVERANCE, THE EXORCIST and THE DEVILS. To call the latter the most audacious of them all is no exaggeration. To have THE DEVILS back in major distribution, after 55 years of being difficult to see in its intended form, feels like a miracle. Not only is it great to celebrate Ken Russell at his finest, but the film will no longer be a missing link in ’70s cinema: the outrageous imagery and astonishing design that anticipate so much of what followed. And if you love the cinema of Terry Gilliam or Alejandro Jodorowsky, you will be in heaven. It’s extraordinary to see so many great British actors, not least Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed, in their absolute prime. Derek Jarman’s production design is utterly stunning, making every frame feel monumental. David Watkin’s photography is equally astonishing. I feel like I saw something illicit tonight. That we can finally see Russell’s intended version in cinemas feels almost unreal. It’s a bold, auspicious start for the movie maniacs at @clockwork_wb. Who knows when we’ll next get a theatrical release of a Ken Russell film, let alone this incredible piece of work, so do yourself a favour and buy a ticket. Apologies in advance if you have any fits of religious fervour.