Ken Russell's The Devils Arrives on 4K UHD for the First Time

11 November 2026 | Home Entertainment News

One of British cinema's most controversial films is finally receiving its definitive home entertainment release. Ken Russell's The Devils (1971), starring Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave, will arrive on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray in the UK and Ireland on 20 April 2027.

Warner Bros. Clockwork, in partnership with the BFI, has announced two editions of the newly restored film: a lavish three-disc 4K UHD and Blu-ray Collector's Edition, and a standard 4K UHD release.

UK & Ireland 4K UHD Release: 20 April 2027

Following the film's return to UK and Irish cinemas on 30 October 2026, the release marks the first time Russell's definitive, uncensored director's cut will be available on 4K UHD Blu-ray.

For collectors, the most significant announcement is that the three-disc edition will also bring together all three versions of the film on Blu-ray for the first time.

A Restoration 55 Years in the Making

Originally released in 1971, The Devils has endured decades of controversy surrounding its depiction of religious persecution, political corruption and sexual repression.

Set in 17th-century France, the film follows Father Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed), a charismatic priest who becomes embroiled in a political and religious conspiracy when Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave) develops an obsessive fixation upon him. Accusations of possession and witchcraft unleash a wave of hysteria that threatens to destroy an entire community.

The definitive version was reconstructed in 2004 under Russell's supervision, working alongside editor Michael Bradsell and film critic Mark Kermode.

The new 4K restoration has been completed from the original camera negative at Warner Bros. Water Tower Color, while the audio has been restored from original composite 35mm magnetic film elements at Warner Bros. Sound.

According to the announcement, this is the definitive version of The Devils, with no other formally recognised director's cut existing.

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Two 4K UHD Editions Announced

Both editions are available to pre-order through major retailers.

Collector's Edition: Three Versions of The Devils

The Collector's Edition includes the uncensored director's cut on 4K UHD, encoded by Fidelity in Motion, with a newly restored monaural soundtrack.

A separate Blu-ray presents three different versions of the film:

• Definitive Director's Cut – 114 minutes
• UK X-Rated Version – 111 minutes
• US R-Rated Version – 108 minutes

The third disc is devoted to additional material, including previously unseen footage, new interviews and archival documentaries.

Collector's Edition Special Features

Among the extensive selection of bonus material are:

• Unedited 2004 audio commentary with Ken Russell, Michael Bradsell, Mark Kermode and Paul Joyce.
• A previously unseen extended scene.
• An expanded version of Hell on Earth: The Desecration and Resurrection of The Devils, featuring additional Ken Russell interview footage.
• A newly remastered 4K presentation of Russell's 1958 short film Amelia and the Angel.
• A new interview with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro discussing The Devils and Russell's legacy.
• A new extended interview with Mark Kermode covering the reconstruction of the definitive director's cut.
• Previously unseen archival interviews with Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave.
• A new featurette exploring the film's picture and sound restoration.
• A new compilation of camera slates and previously unseen costume sketches by Shirley Russell.
• An introduction by Kleber Mendonça Filho recorded for the film's first screening in Brazil.
• Previously unheard interviews between critic Richard Crouse and members of the cast and crew.
• An excerpt from Rupert Russell's documentary Mad Dad, featuring previously unseen family photographs.
• Archival Q&A sessions featuring Ken Russell, Vanessa Redgrave and Mark Kermode.
• Behind-the-scenes footage, the Director of Devils featurette and archival trailers.
• The 2026 theatrical trailer.

The Collector's Edition also includes a 96-page book containing previously unseen production photography, extracts from the original continuity script, newly discovered crew interviews and essays by Mark Kermode and Linda Ruth Williams.

What Does the Standard Edition Include?

The standard edition contains the 114-minute director's cut on a single 4K UHD disc, together with more than four hours of material.

Its special features include the unedited 2004 audio commentary, Guillermo del Toro interview, Ken Russell and Mark Kermode's 2004 BFI Q&A, behind-the-scenes footage, the Director of Devils featurette and a selection of trailers.

Unlike the Collector's Edition, it does not include the UK X-rated and US R-rated versions of the film.

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4K UHD Technical Details

• Film: The Devils (1971)
• Director: Ken Russell
• Cast: Oliver Reed, Vanessa Redgrave
• Format: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
• Audio: Newly restored monaural soundtrack
• Languages: English, French, Italian, German and Spanish options
• Subtitles: English SDH and various European language options
• Director's Cut Running Time: 114 minutes
• UK Certificate: 18
• UK & Ireland Release: 20 April 2027

A Landmark Home Entertainment Release

For admirers of Ken Russell's uncompromising cinema, this represents a significant release. After more than five decades of censorship, controversy and incomplete home-video presentations, the film's definitive version will finally be available to own in 4K.

With all three cuts gathered together, a comprehensive selection of archive material and a substantial accompanying book, the Collector's Edition promises to be a particularly attractive proposition for film enthusiasts and collectors.

For more on the restoration and its return to cinemas, see CinemaBang's original The Devils 4K theatrical release article.

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Source: BFI / Warner Bros. Clockwork / Warner Bros. Home Entertainment press announcement, 10 November 2026.