Ken Russell's contentious 1971 classic The Devils will finally see release on DVD next year - the first home viewing release since the VHS edition of the late 1990s. However, fans hoping to see the complete version - a reasonable hope given the relatively recent theatrical screenings of the reconstructed version at the National Film Theatre - will be sorely disappointed.

For reasons that are not immediately apparent – but which are clearly connected to Warner Brothers’ continual distaste for the film in general and the infamous ‘rape of Christ’ scene in particular – the BFI release will be the original theatrical X-rated edition, as mangled by the BBFC forty years ago. What a pisser.

On the plus side, the release is at least packed with extra content – a newly filmed introduction with director Ken Russell; audio commentary with Russell, Mark Kermode (oh dear…), Mike Bradsell and Paul Joyce; the Channel 4 Hell on Earth documentary (presumably also now missing the cut scenes that were originally featured); Director of the Devils, a 1971 documentary; original on-set footage with commentary by editor Mike Bradsell; Russell’s 1958 short Amelia and the Angels; UK & US trailers; and a booklet. A solid selection that might just take your mind off the fact that this is a needlessly truncated print.

Let’s hope that in the meantime, public pressure can convince Warners to relent and allow the full version to be included – or at least consider a future uncut blu-ray edition.