I actually have the DVD that includes the crucifix orgy scene. It was a gift from a good friend a little over 10 years ago. The DVD also includes the interview with the director and several of the actors about the experience of making the film, how it was received, and how the missing part of the film was recovered. I also read Aldous Huxley’s book and found it scathingly insightful and deliciously wicked. Great film and great book!
Part 1 Full disclosure, I am a Catholic (tho not very religious) and when I was 50ish credits short of a BA in History, medical stuff started so I had to stop. Having said that....within a historical context, this is an interesting film. According to Catholicism, each person must follow their own conscience. Remember that whenever Father Urbain Grandier starts making deep philosophical speeches. Father Urbain Grandier is from the Jesuit branch of the Catholic Church. They are generally more "woke" or liberal than the traditional branches. What was going on? The plague (either Bubonic or Typhus) was taking its toll. But of more relevance was the Thirty Years' War, which had Catholics fighting Protestants. Cardinal Richelieu wanted the walls to come down from the city of Loudun because as he said, it would give shelter to the Protestants, specifically the Huguenots, which were French Protestants. At the beginning of the film, all those people dragging that platform were captured Protestants. All those bodies on the wheel were Protestants. The King of Spain had promised the Governor of Loudun (who is now dead due to the plague) that the walls will not be torn down. This did not go over well with the Cardinal. The charge of witchcraft (and sexual misconduct) was only made an issue because that was the Cardinal's avenue of getting rid of Fr. Grandier so those pesky walls could be torn down. Remember, walls = self-governance.
The historical context you laid out here definitely helps me understand a lot more of what was going on. I greatly appreciate it. Also, apparently the source material for the film (the play and Aldous Huxley's book) did not include the plague. Russell added that aspect to the story, but I think it works.
@@CarlinCook There were waves of the plague that struck Europe (and France) during the 16th and 17 centuries. Fr. Grandier was executed August 1634, definity a time for the plague.
I compared the runtime on Shudder to the runtime on my BFI copy of the X-rated U.K. version and they are about the same; but I will watch it on Shudder and see if they're the same cut. On the BFI edition the rape of Christ scene was cut not only from the film but also from the documentary about the film by Mark Kermode on the bonus disc. That's how touchy it is considered. I have seen the scene on an older bootleg copy of the movie but frankly, I don't think it added much to the film, and I don't mind it having been cut. Great review, by the way. And an interesting fun fact: Ken Russell was a practicing Catholic. He made the film as a statement about the political perversion of faith.
Based on what I know of the cut scene, it seems like it wouldn't add much. Most likely it was be too over-the-top. Thanks for the compliments on my review. And thanks for the fact on Russell. His point of the film really does come through.
@@CarlinCook The Shudder version is the US cut. The usual suspects were excised: sex, explicit nudity, and gore (during the torture and burning scenes -- he really gets roasted in the UK version). You're welcome to borrow my BFI edition of the UK cut but you'll need a region-free player. PAL Region 2 discs run fast on North American players which accounts for the time similarities. And their print is gorgeous.
@@troubadour723 might have to take you up on that just to say I've seen it. I accidentally bought some region 2 blu-rays, but found out my XBox will play them.
Just watched it, defiantly a very different type of horror movie. Looks great though from a production standpoint with solid performances. I enjoyed it very much
Part 3 The much talked about “Jesus rape scene.” Was that scene over the top? I don’t think so. Let’s examine the scene in context. The film shows us the nuns were getting out of control. Then we watch as Fr. Grandier is reflecting on his current situation in a peaceful setting. Then we switch to the chaos as the duke(?) enters the building. Circus atmosphere. The royal man gives to Father Barre the blood of Jesus Christ. As the nuns listen Father Barre says that the blood will make the devils run away. When Fr. Barre starts using the power of the blood in the box, everyone settles down. They act as though the devils have been chased away. Heavenly music is played as Sister Jeanne says that she is free. Everyone is healed. Then the royal person shows that it was just a trick and laughs at Fr. Barre. Then the whole crowd starts the party up again. (Scene where Sister Jeanne does the upside-down spider walk is cut out) Fr. Barre starts screaming and gets wacked with a big cross. And now the party picks up steam. The intensity of the chaos increase as the deleted Jesus rape scene starts. Cut to Fr. Grandier and his wife sharing in holy communion. Lots of self-reflection by the Father. Back and forth it goes, from the quietness of Fr. and his wife, then back to the chaos. The chaos is as intense as the quite reflections of Fr. Grandier is calm. Is it too much? No, I think not. It’s a progression of chaos which culminates into the final cut scene where the nuns attack Jesus. I give this film 4.5 Hail Marys out of 5.
I definitely do have interest in seeing how the cut scenes fit into the whole story and if it adds anything. Thankfully, I found out my neighbor has an uncut version that he said I could borrow.
about the nuns reactions it should be remembered that a lot of them were not their because of any great calling but because their families put them there for various reasons so effectively they were locked away from the world in a prison. (just got to the bit where you talk about this oops) this wasn't the only outbreak of hysteria in a cloistered setting. its an interesting film to watch and compare to the current situation with all the hysteria around the current pandemic
Cool to see you and I both picked up on the aspect of the nuns not necessarily being there because they were committed to the religion. Great minds, right?
one last thing the devils had an influence on the look of Pinhead from the Hellraiser movies the scene where Father-Canon Jean Mignon is walking through that barrel vaulted room when he is sent to take confession from the nuns. and the set designer went on to be a really interesting art-house director of movies like The Cook the Thief His Wife and Her Lover
if its the only cut you can find watch it but the BFI release is the best version available. i still have on VHS the cut UK's CH4 put on once which if i remember right is the most complete version
Part 2 That is not the king. He is referred to as Duke de Condy. I don’t get the connection. Addressing some of the issues you brought up. 1. As brief as the duke’s appearances were, his dialogue created 2 specific occurrences, the Witchcraft scandal and the Jesus rape scene. The duke at the time was also thought to be homosexual. 2. Remember, the duke specifically told the Cardinal not to mess with the city of Loudun because France had promised the now dead Gov. that he would not mess with the town. 3. At the beginning, it was made clear that the Protestants were the enemy. 4. The scene where Fr. Grandier tells the pregnant woman it was time to go, he said to hold his hand. When she does, he says, “It’s like touching the dead.“ Then he leaves. Perhaps a spiritual premonition? 5. The duke bird shooting. The people in those bird costumes were Protestants. Notice how the speech about freedom from Fr. Grandier was mixed in with the Cardinal informing the duke that city independence should not be allowed. We see the same thing occur with the Jesus rape scene, but of course that was cut from the film. 6. The ending where Baron De Laubardemont gives Sister Jeanne a charred bone of Fr. Grandier, there is a scene that was cut out where she masturbates with Fr. Grandier’s bone.
The line about touching the dead is a great point. I didn't make that connection. Wow, that bone portion is crazy and over-the-top. I can see why this stuff was cut.
Dope T-shirt Carlin , I stopped when you said spoilers were included, so I'm not sure if you this ring up in the video. The director says that the u.s. cut which is on Shudder is" disjointed and incomprehensible". Dose this cut make any sense to watch it?
I do recommend the cut on Shudder, especially if you haven't seen the film before. It's worth having seen at least once and it looks amazing for being from 1971.
@@NovaFeedback1979 Actually I thought their print looked quite nice. But then I've seen some pretty rotten prints of the film over the years. The uncut BFI edition is nice, though not high-def, and can be purchased at Amazon.uk, though you'll need a region-free player. As it's the 50th anniversary maybe someone will finally do some justice to it and give it a proper release.
I actually have the DVD that includes the crucifix orgy scene. It was a gift from a good friend a little over 10 years ago. The DVD also includes the interview with the director and several of the actors about the experience of making the film, how it was received, and how the missing part of the film was recovered. I also read Aldous Huxley’s book and found it scathingly insightful and deliciously wicked. Great film and great book!
That's awesome. I bet you could sell that for some nice coin. If I read more, I would definitely checkout that book.
Part 1
Full disclosure, I am a Catholic (tho not very religious) and when I was 50ish credits short of a BA in History, medical stuff started so I had to stop. Having said that....within a historical context, this is an interesting film. According to Catholicism, each person must follow their own conscience. Remember that whenever Father Urbain Grandier starts making deep philosophical speeches.
Father Urbain Grandier is from the Jesuit branch of the Catholic Church. They are generally more "woke" or liberal than the traditional branches.
What was going on? The plague (either Bubonic or Typhus) was taking its toll. But of more relevance was the Thirty Years' War, which had Catholics fighting Protestants. Cardinal Richelieu wanted the walls to come down from the city of Loudun because as he said, it would give shelter to the Protestants, specifically the Huguenots, which were French Protestants.
At the beginning of the film, all those people dragging that platform were captured Protestants. All those bodies on the wheel were Protestants.
The King of Spain had promised the Governor of Loudun (who is now dead due to the plague) that the walls will not be torn down.
This did not go over well with the Cardinal. The charge of witchcraft (and sexual misconduct) was only made an issue because that was the Cardinal's avenue of getting rid of Fr. Grandier so those pesky walls could be torn down. Remember, walls = self-governance.
The historical context you laid out here definitely helps me understand a lot more of what was going on. I greatly appreciate it. Also, apparently the source material for the film (the play and Aldous Huxley's book) did not include the plague. Russell added that aspect to the story, but I think it works.
@@CarlinCook There were waves of the plague that struck Europe (and France) during the 16th and 17 centuries. Fr. Grandier was executed August 1634, definity a time for the plague.
@@GrandpaDoesMovies1 I liked that addition of that to the story. It ups the misery and danger.
I compared the runtime on Shudder to the runtime on my BFI copy of the X-rated U.K. version and they are about the same; but I will watch it on Shudder and see if they're the same cut. On the BFI edition the rape of Christ scene was cut not only from the film but also from the documentary about the film by Mark Kermode on the bonus disc. That's how touchy it is considered. I have seen the scene on an older bootleg copy of the movie but frankly, I don't think it added much to the film, and I don't mind it having been cut. Great review, by the way. And an interesting fun fact: Ken Russell was a practicing Catholic. He made the film as a statement about the political perversion of faith.
Based on what I know of the cut scene, it seems like it wouldn't add much. Most likely it was be too over-the-top. Thanks for the compliments on my review. And thanks for the fact on Russell. His point of the film really does come through.
@@CarlinCook The Shudder version is the US cut. The usual suspects were excised: sex, explicit nudity, and gore (during the torture and burning scenes -- he really gets roasted in the UK version). You're welcome to borrow my BFI edition of the UK cut but you'll need a region-free player. PAL Region 2 discs run fast on North American players which accounts for the time similarities. And their print is gorgeous.
@@troubadour723 might have to take you up on that just to say I've seen it. I accidentally bought some region 2 blu-rays, but found out my XBox will play them.
Just watched it, defiantly a very different type of horror movie. Looks great though from a production standpoint with solid performances. I enjoyed it very much
Awesome. It's truly an experience and just looks amazing. Glad you enjoyed it.
Part 3
The much talked about “Jesus rape scene.”
Was that scene over the top? I don’t think so. Let’s examine the scene in context.
The film shows us the nuns were getting out of control.
Then we watch as Fr. Grandier is reflecting on his current situation in a peaceful setting.
Then we switch to the chaos as the duke(?) enters the building. Circus atmosphere.
The royal man gives to Father Barre the blood of Jesus Christ. As the nuns listen Father Barre says that the blood will make the devils run away. When Fr. Barre starts using the power of the blood in the box, everyone settles down. They act as though the devils have been chased away. Heavenly music is played as Sister Jeanne says that she is free. Everyone is healed.
Then the royal person shows that it was just a trick and laughs at Fr. Barre. Then the whole crowd starts the party up again. (Scene where Sister Jeanne does the upside-down spider walk is cut out)
Fr. Barre starts screaming and gets wacked with a big cross. And now the party picks up steam.
The intensity of the chaos increase as the deleted Jesus rape scene starts.
Cut to Fr. Grandier and his wife sharing in holy communion. Lots of self-reflection by the Father.
Back and forth it goes, from the quietness of Fr. and his wife, then back to the chaos.
The chaos is as intense as the quite reflections of Fr. Grandier is calm.
Is it too much? No, I think not. It’s a progression of chaos which culminates into the final cut scene where the nuns attack Jesus.
I give this film 4.5 Hail Marys out of 5.
I definitely do have interest in seeing how the cut scenes fit into the whole story and if it adds anything. Thankfully, I found out my neighbor has an uncut version that he said I could borrow.
about the nuns reactions it should be remembered that a lot of them were not their because of any great calling but because their families put them there for various reasons so effectively they were locked away from the world in a prison. (just got to the bit where you talk about this oops) this wasn't the only outbreak of hysteria in a cloistered setting. its an interesting film to watch and compare to the current situation with all the hysteria around the current pandemic
Cool to see you and I both picked up on the aspect of the nuns not necessarily being there because they were committed to the religion. Great minds, right?
one last thing the devils had an influence on the look of Pinhead from the Hellraiser movies the scene where Father-Canon Jean Mignon is walking through that barrel vaulted room when he is sent to take confession from the nuns. and the set designer went on to be a really interesting art-house director of movies like The Cook the Thief His Wife and Her Lover
That's an awesome point there. I did kind of think that Mignon's posture reminded me of Pinhead.
if its the only cut you can find watch it but the BFI release is the best version available. i still have on VHS the cut UK's CH4 put on once which if i remember right is the most complete version
That's awesome that you have that cut of the film. I was happy with whatever version of the film after I saw it. Pretty outstanding.
Part 2
That is not the king. He is referred to as Duke de Condy. I don’t get the connection.
Addressing some of the issues you brought up.
1. As brief as the duke’s appearances were, his dialogue created 2 specific occurrences, the Witchcraft scandal and the Jesus rape scene. The duke at the time was also thought to be homosexual.
2. Remember, the duke specifically told the Cardinal not to mess with the city of Loudun because France had promised the now dead Gov. that he would not mess with the town.
3. At the beginning, it was made clear that the Protestants were the enemy.
4. The scene where Fr. Grandier tells the pregnant woman it was time to go, he said to hold his hand. When she does, he says, “It’s like touching the dead.“ Then he leaves. Perhaps a spiritual premonition?
5. The duke bird shooting. The people in those bird costumes were Protestants. Notice how the speech about freedom from Fr. Grandier was mixed in with the Cardinal informing the duke that city independence should not be allowed. We see the same thing occur with the Jesus rape scene, but of course that was cut from the film.
6. The ending where Baron De Laubardemont gives Sister Jeanne a charred bone of Fr. Grandier, there is a scene that was cut out where she masturbates with Fr. Grandier’s bone.
The line about touching the dead is a great point. I didn't make that connection. Wow, that bone portion is crazy and over-the-top. I can see why this stuff was cut.
I have this one on my list and will be watching it very soon.
Let me know your thoughts when you see it. I do think it's important to see while it's on Shudder since it's so hard to find.
Dope T-shirt Carlin ,
I stopped when you said spoilers were included, so I'm not sure if you this ring up in the video. The director says that the u.s. cut which is on Shudder is" disjointed and incomprehensible". Dose this cut make any sense to watch it?
I do recommend the cut on Shudder, especially if you haven't seen the film before. It's worth having seen at least once and it looks amazing for being from 1971.
Haven't seen this yet, will have to watch your review after I watch it.
Hope you like the film. I really enjoyed it. Looks great too. Amazing directing and cinematography.
is it the uncut version?
Sadly it is not.
Also the source Shudder used is clearly not even high-definition. Oh well. Better than nothing.
Like Matt Attack said, unfortunately it's the cut version. Apparently it's very hard to get uncut.
Definitely better than nothing.
@@NovaFeedback1979 Actually I thought their print looked quite nice. But then I've seen some pretty rotten prints of the film over the years. The uncut BFI edition is nice, though not high-def, and can be purchased at Amazon.uk, though you'll need a region-free player. As it's the 50th anniversary maybe someone will finally do some justice to it and give it a proper release.