Reviews

After having watched 'The Devils' perhaps 20 times over many years, I found a copy of 'The Devils of Loudon' by Aldous Huxley, upon which Russell based his movie. Huxley's book is a meticulously researched and footnoted account of the events, and is regarded as an important historical reference on the subject.

I was amazed when reading the book, to find that in several instances, quotes from actual letters in manuscript from the principals in the story, that were repeated verbatim in the movie. Some of the most shocking lines in the movie, which I will not repeat here out of moderation, are the exact words written in letters by Grandier, Richlieu, and Barre.

The movie is gruesome, with many disturbing and nightmarish depictions of torture and the Bubonic Plague. Of course, being Ken Russell, there are also scenes of decadent royal pageantry, sexual excess, and hysteria.

Once watched for the thrills, after reading Huxley's history, the movie became even more gripping and unforgettable. It's a scathing commentary on religious fundamentalism, made more horrifying because of its historical accuracy.

Personally, I consider 'The Devils' to be a perfect companion piece with 'The Boyfriend' - Ken Russell's manically fun 1920s musical. They are each at opposite extremes of the manic depressive spectrum.

Reviewer clanciai has done such an excellent job reviewing this movie I can add nothing, except that besides all of the other great features of this movie mentioned by C, it's got Harry Morgan (Colonel Potter of M*SH as a really evil character, and John Hoyt (Spartacus and Star Trek, etc.) as another, more complex character.

The film looks great, with tight editing and some nice jump cuts that seemed daring for 1950. Great character development in the cast, and in several places is subverted a cliché with an unexpected outcome. It's a true cliffhanger that kept me guessing until the last frame.

Peeking into the lives of Zillionaires is the guilty pleasure wrapped around the bitter pill of cynicism, providing the moral lesson of this binge-worthy quasi-documentary.

A brilliant, contemptuous con-artist who penetrates the highest echelons of society and finance, betrays even her most loyal friends, and who conceals her true self even to the last frame, shows us how easily people are fooled by attitude and the right wardrobe.

Women drive this series, delivering a flashy, sometimes shocking look at a fabulist who uses a fake persona to reach commanding heights of their chosen target.

Anna gets justice in the end, but the little people she hurt did not. It's a compelling story with tension and intrigue, and no gun battles or car chases.

It's stylish for reviewers to complain that something isn't 'consistent' - it's been said about 'Anna' - and indeed, the pacing and style jump around quite a bit - and that's a good thing. Consistent is two hours of battling robots. The abrupt shifts in tone fit Anna's character, and make this a really enjoyable watch.

So many interesting characters, so many great lines, so many fabulous interiors and outfits. A great commentary on the current phenomenon of pretenders rising to political heights.

Three years before Andy became the Sheriff of Mayberry, he debuted in this Elia Kazan gem in the genre of Charles Foster Kane, Jett Rink (Giant), or even Raymond Shaw (Manchurian Candidate).

Having grown up with Opie - we're the same age - I can understand why this one never was on the list of re-runs that filled our sets at night in those days. On the Andy Griffith Show, we only saw the nice side of Andy. In 'Face' we see a nice guy too, but underneath is a monster.

So prescient, so fearless in its exposure, this movie shows us today's politics, looking backwards through the telescope. The tyrant, his lackeys, the obedient press, the clueless politicians and bosses, and the heroes too, are all portrayed with depth and spice.

Best of the heroes is played by Patricia Neal - another convincing, deep performance. Walter Matthau is another good guy, with some really great lines. Burl Ives, Walter Winchell, and a young Mike Wallace make appearances, along with several other household names in the over 80 set.

It has dance numbers, in TV commercials, that are worth the price of admission. There are boardroom scenes where I thought I was watching Don Draper.

All that, and a cliffhanger ending, I give this one all the stars. And it's free on youtube.