Quick New Restoration Comparison Trailer for ‘Ken Russell’s The Devils’
by Alex Billington
September 10, 2026
Source: YouTube
“The restoration of the material is like cleaning the Sistine Chapel with saliva. I’ve never seen the movie until I saw this restoration.” –Guillermo del Toro. What a quote!! Warner Bros Clockwork debuted another new promo trailer for Ken Russell’s The Devils restored & uncut & ready to shock again in 4K this fall. This comparison trailer is just a quick before/after look at footage from one key scene in the movie and how much better it looks now. This is Clockwork’s first official release, a restoration of a controversial, one-of-a-kind, 1970s masterpiece that has been hidden from view for decades. It premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and plays at Stiges & TIFF, too. Ken Russell’s The Devils is the definitive vision based on the edit he privately constructed in 2004. In the film set in 17th-century France, Father Grandier’s protection of the city of Loudun from the corrupt Cardinal Richelieu is brought down by a sexually repressed nun’s accusation of witchcraft. Vanessa Redgrave stars as Sister Jeanne, with Oliver Reed as Father Grandier and Gemma Jones as Madeleine. Over 164,472 frames of 35mm film were restored to bring to life Ken Russell’s The Devils in 2026. I cannot wait to experience this film on the big screen! It shall be glorious and unforgettable.
Here’s the 4K comparison trailer for Ken Russell’s The Devils – 4K Restoration, direct from YouTube:
And here’s an extra promo trailer for Ken Russell’s The Devils announcing its premiere at Beyond Fest:
KEN RUSSELL’S THE DEVILS
Los Angeles Premiere | Beyond Fest pic.twitter.com/crMjZn7OPO— Warner Bros. Clockwork (@clockwork_wb) September 9, 2026
You can rewatch the teaser trailer for Ken Russell’s The Devils 4K update right here for the first look again.
An enduring masterpiece of cinema starring Academy Award-winner Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed, Ken Russell’s The Devils is a prescient epic of obsession and corruption — and a defining work of art from seminal filmmaker Ken Russell. Assembled from the original camera negative, this official 4K restoration presents Ken Russell’s definitive vision of The Devils by referencing the edit he privately constructed in 2004. Ken Russell’s The Devils is the uncut and unfiltered theatrical experience that Russell always envisioned – and the first time the film will be presented restored and in 4K. Ken Russell’s The Devils is both written and directed by acclaimed British filmmaker Ken Russell, his sixth film at the time released the exact same year (1971) as both The Music Lovers and The Boy Friend as well. Produced by Robert H. Solo and Ken Russell. Music Composed and Conducted by Peter Maxwell Davies. It originally premiered at the 1971 Venice Film Festival and opened in US theaters (with the X rating) that same year and was banned in some countries. It recently premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. This new 4K definitive version of Ken Russell’s The Devils opens in US theaters starting October 16th, 2026 this fall. Ready to watch now?
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