Still Dangerous - The Films of Ken Russell

When the dust has settled, and his envious detractors are long forgotten, Ken Russell may well be recognised as the greatest and most original of all British Filmmakers. - Alex Cox

[@kaljic1]

Ken Russell is a genius. Period.

[@plasticweapon]

yes.

[@pbohearn]

When I was a young teenager, I snuck into a theater that was playing “Tommy,” and was blown away by it. That scene with Ann Margaret rolling around in baked beans was unbelievable. I saw “the devil, “for the first time and was similarly blown away. That is an amazing movie.

[@33Donner77]

I saw "The Devils" in the 1970's, and although it was over-the-top, it captured the feeling of the story's era. One film critic described it in one word - "excrement". They didn't know how to deal with it at the time, and I never saw any major reference to it until the time of the internet.

[@PeterSmith-go9ef]

"The Devils" and "The Music Lovers" are two of my favourite films of the 70`s. "Women In Love" and "Altered States" are remarkable at opposite ends of the Russell spectrum. I love his work, and miss him. Thank you for this overview of a unique talent.

[@queerchoreography54]

I study in David Lynch’s screenwriting program, and I was lucky enough to convince our script analysis mentor to add The Devils to this week’s class, as an option. I sent this link to all of the students to help spread the word. You have done a great job of encapsulating his body of work in this short video. He’s my favorite director of all time.

[@Drforbin941]

The Devils was brilliant

[@chopin65]

Thanks for this. Ken Russell's films should should be seen on the the big screen. We need his psychic energy now, more than ever. I think he is one of the greats.

[@GalicheGal]

I adored his creativity and it's transfer to film. So so underrated.

[@jamesjoelholmes4541]

When I stumbled upon a montage of scenes from 'The Boyfriend', I was instantly hooked on Ken Russell. From his early short films, to his long work with the BBC, to his more elaborate films you touched on here, even his later works [after falling out of favor with just about every studio around]. Ken Russell's life and work captures a deep understanding of the human condition-absurd, chaotic, sentimental, never subtle, but true and utterly mesmerizing and beautiful. Thank you for this thoughtful essay on the greatest and most human of all filmmakers.

[@ritawing1064]

"The Boyfriend " is a wonderful film.

[@craigfrow-kr6pe]

I miss Ken Russell the artist in today's films. "The Devils" and "Altered States" are two of the best horror films I have seen in my lifetime. They the stuff that nightmares are made of.

[@over7532]

The profundity! My God this is no ordinary thing!

[@melodymaker9317]

This is beautiful man! Thank you, ever since I had the chance to watch The Devils on the big screen i've been coming back to his filmography to watch more. What an underrated and magnificent director. The film world should talk a lot more about him. Thank you for starting the conversation!

[@Drforbin941]

Where did you see The Devils?

[@jeffwatkins352]

Excellent! I understand your neglect of Russell’s final years, with their complexities, as well as the early BBC films, equally challenging. You highlight Russell’s major landmarks, which is rationale enough. Make no mistake. While I still count Kubrick as the #1 filmmaker of the 20th century, Russell is either right behind him or at his shoulder. When the confused detritus of the 21st century sorts itself out, film historians will elevate Ken Russell to the massive stature he deserves. Meanwhile, thanks in spades for this thoughtful if lamentably brief appreciation.

[@TheWickerMan1981]

Thank you for a great take on Russell. More and more I see people coming into his fold and that's a wonderful thing.

[@majordolbyscat]

Fantastically composed, edited video essay on a director that I greatly admire. Makes for a perfect introduction to the complexities of a master of British cinema.

[@patsyheart2630]

Ken Russell wrecked my childhood. I loved every minute. His movies scared the heck outta me. RIP K.R.

[@sneadh1]

I never knew Tommy was a Ken Russell film. Now I must watch it!

[@bevangfniyadrb2920]

Please does anyone Know Any0ne Know the Name this Music?!? (10:38)

[@Thoracius]

@@bevangfniyadrb2920 are you joking? "Pinball Wizard" by The Who

[@Carismystic]

A wonderful video portraying the amazing controversal films that Ken Russell directed.

[@geraldfrank1630]

“Savage Messiah” is a little known gem! 👌👏👌👏👏

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Thank you for reminding me of that mind-blowing, gem, unknown to so many, gem of a film, SAVAGE MESSIAH- I am so bored, bored, bored, with contemporary film. Who stimulates, enrages, energizes, transports, - if you only owned Russell's oeuvre you would be set ( sorry, must be thinking of my film course mis-en-sen?mis-en-sense? Watching this, in 15min, our narrator, does more, with one director, than an entire university course. We didn't touch on one Russell film. The black and white Brit cin of The Boulting Brothers - I'm Alright Jack? about labour unions, stands out still for me as a Canadian who with the exception of a handful of French Canadian directors, sorry husband, cats, dog UP! Me sitting here trying to route out brain fog- I miss my 'uni' daze- do to a Ken Russell type psychiatrist, no slur meant for MASTER RUSSELL WHO HAS BEEN TRASHED AS A PERVERT ETC, this man, WAS a pervert, I took " it" to court, but before "the ME TO" ? movement, as a feminist I am getting tired of pink kitty ears whatever they are- I can't picture Hannah Ardent, or Emmeline Prankhurst- some more radical, or Simone Weil a heroine of mine ( I am having mental fun imaging their lives through the lens of our subject!)

[@MSYNGWIE12]

If I sent a long, boring, messy, half thought out "note" which I hope I deleted, please ignore and DELETE. Canadian films esp back "then", the UBIQUITOUS "back then" can you apply ubiquitous to back then, grammatically or logically, I need CAFFEINE. There are a few French Canadian directors or WERE who might be worthy, I am not up on films- once I WAS, I could be ousted from my cross legged on the floor or pillow, thrust towards the "mic" to fill the party goers in. Not now, because in part, of the state of contemporary cinema, yawn. Namaste, Z.

[@jeffwatkins352]

Nice retrospective, though wish you’d covered the later films as well. One major caveat, however. The Music Lovers is NOT a “blatant embellishment on historical reality.” I believed this myself, as it was the general critical opinion at the time of the film’s release. Years later, there having never been a DVD release, I transcribed my VHS copy to disk and, wanting something to go with it, added my own commentary track. I thought it would be interesting to compare the film to the history it “embellished,” so read five Tchaikovsky biographies as research. Turns out the film is VERY accurate indeed. I was sure, for instance, the episode of the composer wandering alone through von Meck’s estate had to be pure Russell. Turns out Peter really did this, not just at her country estate, but her home in Moscow and her Italian villa, and all at her invitation. Apart from the tinkering of its timeline for dramatic efficiency, the film’s biggest “embellishments” are Nina’s mother, who played a limited role in her life, the character of Modest who was the unabashed gay man in the family, and Nina’s sad ending. Yes, she was incarcerated in a mad house but by Modest and years after Peter’s death, probably wanting her out of public view lest she tarnish his brother’s reputation, which by then was Modest’s meal ticket. And yes, the 1812 Overture sequence is pure fantasy, but it represents the reality that Tchaikovsky’s conducting at last freed him from dependency on von Meck, his sister, and Chilovsky (a concatenation of many of Peter’s gay friends).

[@postmodernrecycler]

Have you read 'Beloved Friend' by Catherine Drinker Bowen, which the screenplay was based upon? I insist that Tchaikovsky's letters with Nadedzsa von Meck are the heart and soul of the matter, and Russel got that 1000% correct. He really knew a story underneath all the obvious style and vaudeville.

[@TrapLoreRoss]

Excellent as always!

[@fltngmmth]

Trap More GAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNG!

[@RAWNLEY]

Vulture

[@vaughancapstick9961]

Excellent thanks ❤

[@ikmarchini]

Ken Russell is one of the great artists of the 20th Century. I use the present tense as his art is still very much alive. As he said: He is the British Fellini and Fellini is the Italian Ken Russell. And that's the Pantheon. As a conductor, I can pose that Ken Russell is probably the most musical film director ever. I started with Elgar up and through The Music Lovers- which I watch over and over and watch it get richer and richer. Without great music his films are less for me. Lisztomania was funny. Won't bother with The Boyfriend. The Devils is quite wonderful and I adore Dante's Inferno. A genius of modern film making, he.

[@jeffwatkins352]

IMO the Piano Concerto 2nd movement in TML is the single greatest setting of images to music in all film history. I can't think of one that even comes close. But it's a shame you won't watch Boy Friend. It's loads of fun, and every bit as brilliant as Russell's other films.

[@postmodernrecycler]

@@jeffwatkins352 I have to agree. The bittersweet disappointment of early adulthood and the moments depicted from Tchaikovsky's life at that time are pure cinema.

[@ikmarchini]

@@jeffwatkins352 Ten minutes of no dialog, only Tchaikovsky. I'll try The Boyfriend again. Thanks.

[@jeffwatkins352]

@@ikmarchini TBF isn't in the same league as TML. It resonates best with those of us who are up to our necks both in vintage film and musical comedy. Well, and Ken Russell. I'm into all three.

[@ikmarchini]

@@jeffwatkins352 Tried again. Failed. In research I think he did it for the money, a crack at Hollywood, to "prove I'm not deranged" after The Devils, and to ogle and perhaps bed Twiggy, the non-entity. Even he calls it a flop. But he is a genius, and like Fellini, Kubrick, and others, they don't always hit the bullseye. Certainly was visually stunning, and I won't rest until I've seen all his films. PS, I work in classical music, formerly up to my neck, now retired.

[@spookyastronauts]

Amazing video. Well done!

[@jvega419]

The Devils is a disturbingly beautiful movie.

[@mrnoiz23]

Thanks for this, I was lucky enough to help run the student weekend film program at MIT in the late 60's - early 70's. There was only film then and essentially no oversight by the administration so we could screen the films in full 35mm wide screen in their full glory. We covered almost every film here including a rare X rated print of The Devils. You are correct these films need full theatrical immersion.

[@mattgraham4340]

Remember, X is not an official rating

[@ericbasora4697]

Great video. I will deep dive these for sure. Thank u.

[@deanjames3660]

Wow! Another fascinating insight into a corner of cinema I’d otherwise never have known about. My favorite installment so far, keep it up!

[@briggscharleton6139]

Yes, God bless Ken Russell. Saw Tommy in the cinema when I was 10 and forever changed the way I looked at films. Crimes of Passion and Gothic are also indelible fever dreams from this mastro of audiovisual intoxication. Great video, thanks.

[@microsoftwillygates3954]

Great movie reviews. This channel reminded me of many movies I love and movies I have never seen and sought out. I love your other channel and I wish you would continue this one.💊💉🍺🍹😃

[@angelahughes7049]

Awesome dude great analysis

[@rubaidaallen2764]

Absolutely fantastic film. I saw the full version, the way Mr. Russell intended and loved every minute of it. What I will never understand is the events that took place in the film actually occurred in France in the 17th century. What the F is so controversial about real history? Excellent film. I highly recommended it.

[@JeffreyDeCristofaro]

One of my Top Ten Favorite Filmmakers, right up there with Kubrick, Kurosawa and Cronenberg!

[@MJG70]

Liar of the white worm, The boyfriend and The rainbow are some of my favorite films!

[@maplebob23]

Just rewatched Lair last night, which is why I’m here.

[@kenpudsey6435]

Ken was a legend..'Lair of the white worm' was one of my favourites..based on Bram Stoker's last novel,Ken made an average book into a great film..also worth mentioning 'Rainbow' and 'Salome's Last Dance'

[@raetime2350]

I was looking for a video on The Devils and I couldn’t have asked for a better video!!! This has brought me so much joy and made me so happy and inspired! Can’t thank you enough. Subscribed/obsessed

[@vraisairs9201]

Mr Ordinary Things, I very much enjoyed this

[@theskolcup]

Genuinely excellent, thoroughly insightful and both educational and truly enjoyable. Thank you

[@corradodangelo1265]

Such a great tribute and analysis! It's bothersome just how undervalued Ken Russell is within the pantheon of cinema, especially English language cinema. I always wonder if the same would be true if all of his early films for the BBC were available. I understand the absence of Valentino (although I absolutely love it), but why not Savage Messiah? That was such a personal film for Ken in many ways and is right up there with his best work from that period.

[@jeffreyhampert9734]

Hell yeah! Brilliant "Savage Messiah" is my #1 favorite of all time.

[@brucebennett5338]

i loved the campy lair of the white worm and solome's last dance

[@deanedge5988]

Dont stop! Its a near infinitely large subject and you are so good at distilling it enthusiastically. I love Russels early documentary about a block of flats in Bayswater (I think) it cropsup on the BBC iplayer from time to time and is melancholy, funny and surreal.

[@turkeyswag]

rabbit hole entrance has a really good video on the devils

[@neiljohns245]

Well said, sir!

[@peaceisking3993]

Dude your exceptional at presentation of information, I wish my teachers had a third of what you do, i might have paid attention.

[@novelanthony203]

Great Editing

[@NerdyWillowTree]

Despite a few inaccuracies (Mahler was actually austrian, not german and the so called "opera singer" is supposed to be Cosima Wagner) this is a very fine video indeed.

[@cgymer1976]

Yes! I was listening to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No 1 today and thought 'The Music Lovers'... I must have watched it in my teens, followed by Mahler, Lisztomania and of course The Devils. And Tommy. And Women in Love... Along with Lindsay Anderson, Russell is probably the most neglected of Britain's greatest filmmakers.

[@itsiwhatitsi]

nice video

[@babettesfeast6347]

Love to see individual reviews all of his movies

[@kenlipson8686]

Dude, I never knew Ken Russell did all these films. And I loved Lair of thr White Worm....and Tommy rules. I need to go watch all his films now. Thank you

[@ianclarke7958]

Just found this. What an excellent video essay.

[@robertmontague1216]

I only found out about The Devils when looking up on that professional extra Harry Fielder who plays one of the "birds" 😳

[@emersonjorritsma-barber8667]

I miss these videos

[@bazzbazzley]

Ken Russel was one of the great glories of British Cinema.

[@brainsmasher666]

Miss your videos so much!

[@mhs1966]

Thank you for this. I love it.

[@mandanabank2081]

Ken Russell’s Gothic was incomprehensible to me when I had the chance to watch it as an adult, and yet I could somehow sense that the sum total was greater than the parts of the movie, as it were. Tommy is another one I quite enjoy watching. The movie about life of Tchaikovsky, too, was amazing, though it did make one sad to watch the wife of the composer suffer.

[@blaskofilms]

Oddly enough, Lair of the White Worm was one of the first horror films I ever saw. Despite the flaws you allude to here, I still love that film. But I had no idea that the director behind it was one of the all-time greats until only recently.

[@jimmyl324]

Love all Ken Russell’s films

[@martinchuma]

But when the world needed him the most-

[@jeffreyhampert9734]

is now...

[@philhouston3270]

I knew I recognized this voice!!! Ordinary Things!

[@JordanVanRyn]

I really like this analysis on Ken Russell’s work. I think he’s misunderstood as a filmmaker and I think a lot of people get divisive on his work because they think it’s too over-the-top or flashy. But I think many of his movies had something to say. Just look at “The Devils”, for example. That movie was considered controversial because of the many gratuitous nudity. But it was a bold film because it really explored the church’s cruel history, how power corrupts and how people themselves are “devils”. Great video, my dude!

[@tribudeuno]

I worked on Altered States’ scene of the sandstorm blowing away the sphinx girlfriend. That was 4 days of rye flour being blown imitating sand. That was on Stage 4 at the then The Burbank Studios, now Warner Bros. Studio Facilities. It was more or less torture to work on, with the rye flour getting within the dust masks we used, in all the lighting equipment used...

[@edreid7872]

I've seen Tommy over 100 times...💓

[@tonymarshall3978]

Big Ken russel fan. Uk resident where did you get these high quality film rips.

[@robfox5670]

I

[@fringelilyfringelily391]

The late film, Salome's Last Dance is in the process of re-evaluation ... an extraordinary, vulgar, touching, tragic, comic deconstruction of a masterpiece and its authors ... it brings a riotous chaos to a piece of high art, and provokes, as many Russell films do, a thoughtfulness about what you have just witnessed.

[@dornelli1]

The devils still is the scariest movie ever made

[@tmamone83]

It took me a while to get into Ken Russell. I first saw "Tommy" at age 14 and thought, "What the hell is this shit?"

[@plasticweapon]

same!

[@ulfingvar1]

Russell may have been unhinged at times, but, boy, he was entertaining!!!!!!!!!!

[@TimesThree333]

Saw The Devils for the first time yesterday. Blew my mind. I love the fact that it came out the same year as Johnny Got His Gun, another movie that's haunting for completely different reasons. Is it just me, or is The Devils like the complete inverse of The Wicker Man? If you took The Devils and inverted almost everything about it you'd pretty much have The Wicker Man. And both movies end the same way!

[@poi1258]

I've known the song pinball wizard for years, and never knew this is where it came from!

[@realjimmyd]

very well done and narrated

[@MsDonttrythisathome]

Fabulous!

[@RossCompose]

I was so glad Ken was honored in the U.S. before his death. I saw MUSIC LOVERS with him (and Richard Chamberlain) present.

[@jeffreyhampert9734]

Tell us more please :o

[@omg9261]

Such a good video, but such a short one. Only 5 movies?

[@ritawing1064]

I remember how people's expectations of seeing another Elgar film were dynamited by the films. And then the Strauss family got the Strauss docu. banned - on pain of forbidding performance of any of his music, I believe - and the rest is sad history.

[@yourcultboyfriend]

I miss you, Film Qualia. I need my new video fix.

[@FilmQualia]

Ah, thanks! I've switched to a new channel: Ordinary Things, where I'm still consuming all your vids. Decided making comedy was more fulfilling (and I was close to running out of films to talk about tbh) - although sometimes think about making a Bergman essay.

[@irinore]

@@FilmQualia wait hang on you're the british guy who talked about malls and lawns and the surveillance state? I just wanted to know if Mishima was as good as its soundtrack and now I feel like how did this happen what. I don't know shit about Bergman beyond that the sound design of Persona is used as an example in education. i just i don't know how what its i was not ready for this at this hour just keep doing your things whether they are ordinary or film related you are good at making the videos

[@theefishlippedone]

Quite right. Be nice to see more of these vids

[@selwyn77]

You're mistaken in assuming Michael Gothard who played the priest in the "Devils" , was a "rock star" just because he looked like one.

[@cristianfernando77]

I guess he was meaning of Ringo Starr as The Pope in LISZTOMANIA?

[@tawnieriekena7]

Correct.

[@easyreader6179]

Would love to see a restored print of the outrageous Dance of The Seven Veils. I think it's still banned

[@panmoncada7257]

If there is anyway I could go back and view Tommy for the first time on a big screen I would. If theatres ever open I hope one screens it!!

[@davidfosford]

where are you Film Qualia we miss you

[@cyclesgoff9768]

Super. He also made a TV ad for Tesco😱, I know I know. He was completely skint at the time though.

[@missingmarsupial]

Oh wow. Why haven't you continued this content?

[@geoffaldwinckle1096]

Brilliant

[@The-Man23]

Why stop making vids man ur vid amazing

[@dreggsome]

He moved channels. His new channel is called "Ordinary Things".

[@payamux8933]

Hey I just discoverd your channel after looking for videos on Roy Andersson. It's too bad you stopped making videos, I hope you're okay

[@gouvyrock]

my favorite ken russell is "mahler"

[@dameinbell3097]

awesome .. wish you included a Salome mention .. that seen when Hurt’s altered states beast is running through the basement passage still horrifies me .. I thought I was in an altered state with Kylie at the end lol

[@tinstargames]

Not even a glimpse of Gothic? That was how so many nerds found him...

[@duantorruellas716]

11:30 look at those big ass docs lol. 😀

[@mrpablox127]

Where do you download your images and videos or wich programe you use for this? tehy have an amazing quality.

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Russell epitomizes one of the reasons I go to the movies, ESCAPISM. Much missed, such an imagination! He could take the mundane and make magic, I loathe to sound so trite when speaking of the genius that was/is, KEN RUSSELL. Looking for biography and film clips I flipped out bombastic-ly, I only OWN 2- not even A Clockwork Orange- a film I have a hard time watching the "uber" violence- rape scenes. As a rock music lover, how can I not own Tommy, Have to do some Google-ing. The Lair of The White Worm, maybe, thanks for showcasing Russell, and for reminding me why I am SO BORED WHEN I FLIP AROUND. Namaste, Z.

[@plasticweapon]

not sure what you think escapism is or how it applies to the devils, but it's nice that you appreciate him.

[@thomashernandez8700]

"Gothic" was AMAZING!

[@Drforbin941]

Ken Russel was a genius

[@erikscream]

Does anyone know where to find the devils to watch/ stream?

[@NicxPlay]

Did you quit KZbin? I really liked your videos, would love to see a comeback

[@skelenton92]

Judging by the voice (and considering that this channel is featured on it) this seems to be the same guy as Ordinary Things, who last uploaded just a few days ago.

[@DevilMaskMedia]

Is there a good quality, uncut version of THE DEVILS on DVD, or BLU RAY yet?

[@Judgeholden95]

DevilMaskMedia you have to search hard. And 9 times out of 10 you’ll have to settle for a dvd-r like if you bought the Star Wars despecialized editions online. However I will say with a reputable seller you can get a good uncut version of it

[@jawoody9745]

@@Judgeholden95 Haven't found a decent DVD of it yet! The 2 copies I have look like they were recorded with a camera facing a VHS copy on a television. Utter crap. Where is Criterion on this???

[@EyeByBrian]

@@jawoody9745Warner Brothers owns the rights. They are not interested in making it available, sadly.

[@tawnieriekena7]

No.

[@ExxylcrothEagle]

Well done! I still need to see the Boyfriend

[@Capronice]

Love Altered States.