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Raising Hell

Ken Russell and the Unmaking of The Devils

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Raising Hell

By: Richard Crouse
Narrated by: Bob Loza
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About this listen

From exclusive interviews with director Ken Russell and new interviews with cast, crew, and historians, comes this examination of the beautifully blasphemous film The Devils. Based on historical fact, this controversial 1971 film is about an oversexed priest and a group of sexually repressed nuns in 17th-century France and the ensuing trials and exorcisms that followed. Detailing the production and the personalities of two of cinema’s great eccentrics, director Ken Russell and star Oliver Reed, Crouse delves deeper to explore the aftermath of the film. Chiefly, the question asked is: How can a movie by one of the most famous filmmakers in the world end up banned, edited, and ignored by the company that owns it?

©2012 Richard Crouse (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV History & Criticism Entertainment Celebrity

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Editor reviews

Wrought with intense sexual and violent imagery, Ken Russell’s The Devils has faced more than its fair share of censorship and editing over the years and, in some countries, the movie is still banned. Film critic, Richard Crouse, has compiled here in Raising Hell: Ken Russell and the Unmaking of the Devils a unique and thorough examination of this controversial film. Veteran narrator Bob Loza gives confident and easygoing performance, highlighting the humor and entertainment within all of Crouse’s research. Listen along, as Crouse explores the sordid history of this movie and tries to figure out just why it’s had a hard time ever getting the release it deserves.
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Narration was a poor choice. Using a very bland American accent voice artist to do what is essentially a British subject was not well thought through. If you are going to announce place names, at least try to understand what the pronunciation is, rather than make a ham-fisted attempt and get it wrong on so many occasions.
The story was pretty interesting about how the film met its challenges and was greeted by various parts of the public and the press. The delivery was reasonable, and there was not much excitement beyond listing many facts and dates.

Mediocre narration, average writing

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This is a reasonably interesting story but was spoiled by annoying narrator who was unable to pronounce many common English words.

Narration poor

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I enjoyed the content. Having just read a biography of Oliver Read. However, it was spoiled for me by the atrocious pronunciation of virtually every name, place and French word. I know it is a free broadcast and it is looking a gift horse in the mouth, but the writer had obviously spent a lot of time researching his subject. So it is a pity that the reader/publisher didn’t bother to check how you pronounce surnames, place names and commonly used words like “row” as in having a row (argument) as opposed to rowing a boat…

Interesting read bad reader/editing

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I didn't really know too much about this movie but found this to be very interesting indeed. It doesn't out stay its welcome and there are great little stories hidden inside. It's amazing that even today we cannot access the Ken Russell version of this film. I hope I get to see t.
Sadly, only downside is that the narration is a bit robotic and actually feels like it isn't a real voice. But you kind of get over that.

A must for Russell fans

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