Raising Hell: Ken Russell and the Unmaking of The Devils - Softcover

""Raising Hell "is a book to satisfy fans and intrigue new viewers. Even if "The Devils "isn't your cup of tea, Crouse has created a fascinating portrait of the director's vision and the studio's lack of foresight." --www.PlanetFury.com

""Raising Hell" has a lot of praise for "The Devils" and its legacy, but Crouse is not afraid to reveal the faults and flaws of its cast of characters. The book is not an endless stream of blind praise but a vital critical assessment of how and why "The Devils" is as important now as it was in 1971, perhaps even more so." --www.PopShifter.com

""Raising Hell" "is a case study in what transpires when religion and art collide, and it should be read as a cautionary tale in the current climate of culture wars and clashes of civilizations." --www.StevenWBeattie.com

"With a particularly keen eye for both film and world history, Crouse creates a wonderful primer on controversial filmmaking and the definitive go-to resource for anyone looking to know more about one of the most divisive films from one of the world's most colourful talents." --www.DorkShelf.com

"Bravo to the publisher ECW Press for putting out a companion book to a film that remains so elusive. . . . Crouse has perhaps created the definitive chronicle of Russell's masterwork. . . . For fans of Russell and "The Devils", . . . "Raising Hell" is essential reading on an essential film." --"Fangoria" (December 2012)

"The sign of a good 'making of' book is if it's compelling even if you've never seen the film whose production it documents. Such is the case with Richard Crouse's "Raising Hell", covering the shooting and subsequent public skewering of 1971's "The Devils"." --"Oklahoma Gazette "(January 8, 2013)

The story of one of the most controversial films in history How did a movie by one of the most famous filmmakers in the world end up banned, censored, and shelved? Made by the English Federico Fellini,” Ken Russell, The Devils is so contentious that even decades after its 1971 release, Warner Brothers keeps its most incendiary scene under lock and key. Featuring an exclusive interview with recently deceased director Ken Russell and new interviews with cast, crew, and historians, Raising Hell examines this beautifully blasphemous movie about an oversexed priest and a group of sexually repressed nuns in 17th century France. From the film’s inception through its headline-making production and controversial reception, Richard Crouse explores what it is about Russell’s rarely seen cult classic that makes it a cinematic treasure.