 It centers on Roman Catholic priest Urbain Grandier and an entire convent of Ursuline nuns, who allegedly became possessed by demons after Grandier made a pact with Satan.The events led to several public exorcisms as well as executions by burning.The story was adapted into a stage play in 1960, which was then adapted into the controversial 1971 Ken Russell film "The Devils", which starred Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed.