Most Controversial Movies.

[emaidel]

No one has yet mentioned Ken Russell's "The Devils." which is one of the most controversial films of all time. Called "the most scathing indictment of the Catholic Church ever put on film when it was released in London in 1971," "The Devils" has more scenes of orgiastic mayhem performed by Roman Catholic nuns than ever was, or still has, been put on screen. Once lost, a segment called, "The Rape of Christ" has those nuns tearing down a 12' crucifix and performing all sorts of lewd acts upon it, all while stark naked and readily willing to show the camera any, and every section of thier bodies.

People either find "The Devils" one of the most outrageous, offensive and revolting films ever made, or a piece of cinematic brilliance. I hold the latter opinion, but my wife angrily holds the former and gets visibly upset with the mere mention of the film's title.

[Auricauricle]

No one has yet mentioned Ken Russell's "The Devils." which is one of the most controversial films of all time.

I have not seen The Devils, but have seen and own a copy of Russell's Crimes of Passion, which stars a young Kathleen Turner and a not-so-young-but-still-depraved Anthony Perkins. Turner's performance, as a habitue of the local red light district, and Perkins', as a psychotic priest bent on her "salvation" are superbly wrought. The movie is over the top and campy; and there is enough sex and violence to offend just about anyone. Add to that a soundtrack by Rick Wakeman, whose noodling on the moog gives Dvorak fans more permutations of the 9th Symphony (New World), and it is a true masterpiece of "something completely different".

Seems that skewering the Catholic Church or offending things eschatological or else church-related is Russell's stock in trade....

[Feanor]

....

People either find "The Devils" one of the most outrageous, offensive and revolting films ever made, or a piece of cinematic brilliance. I hold the latter opinion, but my wife angrily holds the former and gets visibly upset with the mere mention of the film's title.

There is no "or" about it. The Devils was all of those things. I saw it many years ago but I'd have mixed feelings about seeing it again.