The story follows a painter, played by De Niro, who becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and obsessions, set against the backdrop of 17th-century Italy. The film explores themes of love, power, and the darker aspects of human nature, all told through a non-linear narrative that defies traditional storytelling conventions.
Ken Russell’s controversial 1971 film The Devils is widely regarded as a masterpiece of British cinema, and, despite its historic censorship, it has found a preservation home on the Internet Archive
When "The Devils" premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 1971, it sparked immediate controversy. Critics were divided, with some praising the film's bold vision and others condemning its perceived blasphemy and graphic content. The film's distributors, EMI, were concerned about the potential backlash and decided to re-edit the film to make it more palatable to a wider audience.
Ken Russell's 1971 masterpiece, , is famously one of the most controversial and heavily censored films in cinema history . Because it has never received a complete, official high-definition release in many regions (including the US), the Internet Archive has become a vital sanctuary for film historians and fans looking to experience the movie in its most intact form.