The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

You should delete the phone numbers too. Who says it's Sass's fault - some anonymous twit on the IMDB?

I understand that people are disappointed. I am too. But does a mixup over a DVD release justify kiddie tantrums (and possible harassment) ?

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

NBK was a special situation. When the MPAA forced Oliver Stone to make 154 cuts to the movie, WB promised him they would allow him to release his director's cut on video. After all the controversy that surrounded the movie, Warners reneged on their promise and cancelled the release. Stone went ballistic so, rather than have a protracted battle in the media over the release of the director's cut, Warners agreed to let him release it through a third party. NBK producer Jane Hamsher writes a good account of the situation in her book, Killer Instinct.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

There's more to the story than that, though. WB co-produced NATURAL BORN KILLERS with Arnon Milchan's Regency Enterprises and StudioCanal, and it is Regency that actually holds the copyright to the film, not WB. So when WB chose not to release the unrated director's cut, they allowed Regency to shop it elsewhere, settling at the former Trimark (now Lionsgate) for its release: if you look on the packaging, Regency's logo is all over the place.
Similarly, even when WB had a "no-NC17" policy, they did release an uncut TRUE ROMANCE because their contract with Morgan Creek, the actual producers and copyright holders of the film, stated that Morgan Creek had final say on the release version. Again, had WB chosen not to release it, Morgan Creek could have taken it elsewhere. When they have a co-partner of that heft, that partner can override them on these kinds of decisions.

THE DEVILS is a fully-owned Warner property, and those kinds of films are the ones that the studio is against sub-licensing.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

Even if it just sits in their vault earning NO INCOME?!!?

I have personally NEVER understood that sort of thinking.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

i think we can all agree with a film like THE DEVILS this is a special situation WB's seems to be in. I have to say this cause so many think I bad mouth WB lately the fact is they are such a great studio at presenting their catalog titles and they do amazing special editions (Yeah I know that Poltergeist release was a fiasco now known as the worst DVD release let down of 2007) But they make excellent special editions, I think what they need to do with this film especially to get around the idea that it could fall into the hands of buyers that should beware is this.

Make a Special Edtion type set priced retail about $39.99 Have Ken Russell do a commentary track include the BBC documentary and maybe a book dealing with the making of the film. That way this type of release is usually only for the ones who really want the film, it wouldn't be as well stocked at a store like Best Buy. I never ever found The Jazz Singer special edition at a Best Buy only at Barnes and Noble, and Borders stores. If they have to brand it with NC-17 - Best Buy stocked Beyond the Valley of the Dolls like this and it flags the pruchase. No harm in that.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

If this is true, then I would guess that it's definately up for release. I think the only debate is what promo Warners is thinking of. A Ken Russell collection? Controversial Classics? Horror promo?

I saw a uncut fan edit of this, I'd gladly buy a copy of the true directors cut.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

Maybe just the release, (quietly) like so many titles out there every week with no promption.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

It's not like anyone potentially offended by the film has to buy the DVD.

Warner should just release it like every other film they release. Sure they could put a warning of some sort on it, but I see no reason why in 2008 this film should be controversial.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

warner needs to put all the Ken Russell action in a boxset. It's a shame they can't nab his BBC docs to see how he got his street cred. He needs the revitalization

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

Eyes Wide Shut was released unrated for the recent DVD SE and BluRay.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

Yes. It has been acknowledged that WB has lifted their embargo on unrated DVD releases. Thus many of us do expect that they will finally release the title. The fact that a cover was prepared indicates it will just be a matter of when rather than if.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

I don't know that Warner ever had an embargo on "unrated" releases: there were several unrated releases that I can recall. I think the embargo was with respect to NC-17 and X-rated releases. Certainly corporate sibling New Line never had an issue with NC-17 rated releases.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

In a way, I'm glad this isn't coming out in May. It seemed like such a bare-bones, slap-dash effort. I want it properly presented as a special edition and made available in a Russell box-set.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

>>Make a Special Edtion type set priced retail about $39.99
--
I'd buy TWO copies

It would be great if they could also include a remastered LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM in a Russell box set , but I guess Lionsgate owns that-unless someone has better info

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

I was looking at my post and happened upon the ultimate solution: why not let New Line release this, since New Line is being absorbed into Warner and has a history of releasing NC-17 rated titles?

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

Mark Kermode posted on his UK site nearly two years ago that a fully uncut DEVILS was imminent. Since it hasn't come out since then you can probably expect there's been a 'yes, no, maybe, errrr no' back-and-forth about the title. Warner now has a a relatively minor title like EXECUTIVE ACTION out via their Lancaster box, but a major release like THE DEVILS still sits in the vault. Kermode did hint obliquely at studio folk attending one screening in the UK and being extremely observant and attentive to reaction, as if they were judging things somehow.

If Warner brings it out minus solid extras, or in a cut version, we can all throw up our hands, as it'll almost certainly never be revisited. It's best to get this disc done right first time. As Tim Lucas quietly noted on the Mobius board, anyone close to Ken Russell would hopefully be recording commentary tracks with him for all his currently MIA movies, as the man is not getting any younger. THE DEVILS sits at the peak but all his 70's films really need to be done properly for DVD.

Of course, Warner's did mention recently that 'all' the titles mooted in previous chats as coming are still in the works. The release of the DVD cover was a 'mistake' but not a hoax or a piece of fan art, so THE DEVILS is theoretically coming, the questions being when, in what form, and with what extras?

Part of me has wondered sometimes, only half-jokingly, whether Warners has just been waiting for the current US administration to change before they put the movie out. We need this movie to be released but I sympathise with their need to step carefully. Still, CRUISING uncut hasn't provoked a big backlash as far as I can tell. (Many online reviews bemoaned the fact that Friedkin's even longer cut couldn't be found). If THE DEVILS is a hot potato then its release could be played down somewhat by sticking it in a Russell box and making it a box exclusive. Still, I don't know if WB would want to squelch their sales of it by doing that, and I don't even know if many other 70's Russell titles are with Warner. (I think VALENTINO is a Warner title but don't know about the others).

The version of THE DEVILS that everyone is hoping to see is clearly the uncut version of the film with the recently found explicit scenes restored, a Russell (and likely Kermode) commentary, and the appropriate UK doco attached on a second disc if need be. Releasing the film cut or minus extras will provoke a lot of fan outcry. Warners clearly doesn't mind making money so they're obviously being very careful with this title for other reasons. I respect their predicament and hope they can navigate whatever issues are required to release the movie in a format that matches Warner's current high standards.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

The Ken Russell films thats with Warner besides THE DEVILS are

THE BOY FRIEND
SAVAGE MESSIAH
LIZTOMANIA

while MGM/FOX controls

MUSIC LOVER
VALENTINO

so Warner can make a box set.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

I'm told by someone who I consider to be a reliable source that Ken Russell has recorded a commentary track for 'The Devils'.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

John Hodson, Cool!

Now we must wait for the announcement.

I hope there are a lot of future thinking people who are setting up recorders in front of our aging film community and pressing record.

Re: The Devils - coming out on DVD in May

WOW! Well, they certainly weren't conservative with that artwork! Whoo! I wonder if this'll be the uncut version? Doesn't interest me that much, but this film is bound to have its share of fans, and I hope that they get what they deserve.