Connect
To Top
MoviesView All

13 Scandalous Movies That Sparked Religious Controversy

8. The Devils (1971)

Few directors can say that they so thoroughly ruffled feathers that their films were censored or banned in almost every major market. This was the case for British director Ken Russel, whose 1971 offering The Devils made audiences do more than cover their mouths in surprise. Not hiding behind a thing, the film showcased violence towards the Church, along with outright accusations of corruption within the institution. The historical drama-horror film is set in 17th-century France and follows the questionable exploits of “Father Grandier,” played by Oliver Reed, a priest whose nontraditional views on religion and sex lead to him having his own fan club of sorts, as nuns flock to his side.

Ken Russell
David Fowler / shutterstock.com

More in Movies