altered states (1980)

"How do we stop this?"
Respected scientist Eddie Jessop (William Hurt) revives an old experiment, and using himself as guinea pig finds himself regressing...
With Russell on board you know the kitchen sink would be thrown at this body horror, with a liberal dose of sprituality and psychoanalysis.

amelia and the angel (1958)

"This is the story of Amelia, the least angelic of them all."
Young Amelia (Mercedes Quadros) is forbidden to take away the angel wings, that form part of her costume for an upcoming dance. But she takes them home anyway. Unfortunately her little brother soon damages them, and she is forced to scour the streets of London for replacements.
Experimental short film by Ken Russell, that incorporates many of the themes that he developed in later projects, from dance to treatise on Catholicism.

peepshow (1956)

A Beggar's Academy trains people to impersonate the blind and infirm, to con money out of the public, but their earnings tumble when a peepshow is set up.
Ken Russell's debut short film shows promise and is styled in a Caligariesque fashion.

salome's last dance (1988)

"Let the play commence."
Oscar Wilde (Nickolas Grace) gets a surprise when he visits a brothel, as he finds them staging a the premiere of his play "Salome".
Russell explores this classic play in his patented bawdy style.

altered states (1980)

"The purpose of our suffering is only more suffering."
A scientists (William Hurt) researches de-evolution using himself as a guinea pig, resulting in his devolving into a caveman, with all the problems this brings.
A warping of the Jeykll and Hyde story, ramping up the evolution and drugs elements, as Ken Russell puts his stamp on the tale (i.e. drugs and religious imagery).

valentino (1977)

"He moves like a tiger."
Russell again brings his inimitable style and overload to the biopic. This time Rudolph Valentino (Rudolf Nureyev), the silent movie star that caused such an outpouring of grief with his premature death in 1926.
An entertaining, if over long picture. Nureyev has an animal grace, and gives a surprisingly competent performance, though lacking that certain spark that would suggest he would send the women wild with desire.

lisztomania (1975)

"Perhaps this will teach you not to bang on the piano."
An over the top, cartoon like romp through the life of Franz Liszt (Roger Daltry), the classical composer, who managed to write a few tunes between affairs, his rivalry with Richard Wagner (Paul Nicholas), and his problems with the Pope (Ringo Starr).
Having just completed Tommy, he then goes one step further in his exploration of the life of a rock god, throwing everything he can into the mix, from Vampires to phallic symbols and bucket load of bawdy immature humour.

lair of the white worm (1988)

"I change my cars as regularly as a snake sheds its skin."
Archaelogist Angus Flint (Peter Capaldi) is on a dig in a small village, when he discovers a bizzare skull. Later at a party he is told of the legend of the D'Ampton worm, a huge snake like creature which was killed by the lord of the manor. Over the next few days people start disappearing and the skull is stolen. All leads point them to a cave where the worm was supposed to live, and where a cult worshipping the creature practiced. Maybe the worm did not die as the legend tells, and the reptile may still be at large, helped by cult followers including possibly Lady Marsh (Amanda Donohoe).
Wonderfully hokey stuff based on a Bram Stoker story, as can only be envisioned by Ken Russell.

the music lovers (1970)

"She'll ruin you!"
The interesting life story of Tchaikovsky (Richard Chamberlain), and how it affected his music. Russell posets that Tchaikovsky was homosexual, who had the misfortune of marrying Nina (Glenda Jackson), a nymphomaniac.
Russell brings an over the top dramatic style to the life for the classical composer, adding fun to the dramatic events.

the boy friend (1971)

"I suppose I'm not really his type."
Polly (Twiggy) is put upon assistant stage manager at a provincial theatre. She has to stand-in for the leading lady during a matinée performance with a Hollywood director in the audience who is scouting for his latest extravaganza. To complicate things Polly then falls for Tony (Christopher Gable) the leading man, but may have to make do with some kind words from fellow performer Tommy (Tommy Tune).
Set in the 20's, this is a homage to the romantic musicals of the era. Charming and endearing entertainment, with Russell delivering an understated film, especially for him!

the devils (1971)

AKA The Devils of Loudun.
"Confess you are the Devil's servant! Renounce your master!"
Father Grandier (Oliver Reed) is a priest who gets caught up in the politics of religion, when a local nunnery comes down with a series of possessions. As the hysteria rises and the nunnery's fame threatens to overwhelm the political aspirations of Cardinal Richelieu and various members of the court, Grandier becomes a pawn and eventual scape-goat at a show trial with the mother superior (Vanessa Redgrave), (who is obsessed with the priest), as star witness.
Ken Russell's controversial masterwork, developed from Aldous Huxley's novel The Devils Of Loudun. The film matches the physical decay witnessed by the victims of the plague ravaging the town, mirroring it with the morale decay of the church and royal court. This is a savage attack on the politics of religion and all involved in it. Called a "grand fiesta for sadists and perverts" by one critic, what better recommendation do you need?