This Banned Film Is Getting An Irish Cinema Release After 50 Years
This Banned Film Is Getting An Irish Cinema Release After 50 Years
Words: Dray Morgan
One of the most controversial works in film history is set to get an Irish screening over 50 years after its release.
Ken Russell’s film The Devils is a disturbing historical drama about religious hysteria, sexual repression, political corruption and the destruction of a priest who challenges the authorities.
Following its European release in 1972, it was one of the most popular box office films of that year. However, a deeply Catholic culture in Ireland deeply rejected many of the sentiments that were at the core of the psychological horror.
Blasphemy, sexual content and extreme violence were cited as reasons why The Devils would never get an Irish release. This was symptomatic of very strict media censorship laws in Ireland, which saw an extensive list of international blockbusters banned in the country. The film was also publicly condemned by the Vatican.
“Ken Russell’s The Devils is one of the most notorious and controversial films in cinema history”, said Kevin Coyne from the IFI “At least half a dozen versions exist, all censored to some extent, while theatrical screenings have been perfunctorily refused and few efforts made at release on physical media of a film not even submitted to the Irish censor for an inevitable ban.”
Previously banned films in Ireland include Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1932), Fantasia (1942), Casablanca (1943), Ulysses (1967), A Clockwork Orange (1973), Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1980) and WrestleMania 16 (2001).
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