Ken Russell
Biography
Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell (3 July 1927 – 27 November 2011) was an English film director. He is known for his pioneering work in television and film, and for his controversial style. He has been criticized as being over-obsessed with sexuality and the church. His subject matter is often about famous composers, or based on other works of art which he adapts loosely. Russell began directing for the BBC, where he did creative adaptations of composers' lives which were unusual for the time. He also directed many feature films independently and for studios. He is best known for his Oscar-winning romantic drama Women in Love (1969), the notoriously controversial The Devils (1971), the rock musical Tommy (1975), and the science fiction film Altered States (1980). One noted admirer, British film critic Mark Kermode, attempting to sum up the director's achievement, called Russell; "somebody who proved that British cinema didn't have to be about kitchen-sink realism – it could be every bit as flamboyant as Fellini. He now makes very strange experimental films like Lion's Mouth and Revenge of the Elephant Man, and they are as edgy and out there as the work he made in the 1970s."
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (44)
Twiggy
as (archival footage)
2025
The Who: One Band's Explosive Story
as Self (archive footage)
2022
Kitsune
Thanks (Crew)
2016
Director of Devils
as Self
2012
Ken Russell: A Bit of a Devil
as Self (archive footage)
2012
The Devils Original on-set footage
2012
Mr. Nice
as Russell Miegs
2010
The Aristofrogs
2010
Boudica Bites Back
as Roman Senator
2009
A Kitten for Hitler
as Santa
2007
10 Best Elgar
as Self (archive footage)
2007
Watch the Birdie
Director (Directing)
2007
The Real Blue Nuns
as Self
2006
Trapped Ashes
as Dr. Lucy (segment "The Girl with Golden Breasts")
2006
Brothers of the Head
as Himself
2006
Charlotte Brontë Enters the Big Brother House
Choreographer (Crew)
2006
Colour Me Kubrick
as The Man In Nightgown
2005
The Miners' Picnic by Ken Russell
Director (Directing)
2005
Revenge of the Elephant Man
2004
100 Greatest Sexy Moments
as Self
2003
Hell on Earth: The Desecration & Resurrection of The Devils
as Self
2002
Elgar: Fantasy of a Composer on a Bicycle
as Narrator (voice)
2002
The Fall of the Louse of Usher
as Dr. Calahari
2002
The Real Oliver Reed
as Self
2000
Lion's Mouth
as Ken
2000
Dogboys
Director (Directing)
1998
Ken Russell: In Search of the English Folk Song
as Himself
1997
Vem Var Dracula
as Self
1996
Mindbender
Writer (Writing)
1996
Tales of Erotica
as Mr. Kirsch (segment 'The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch') (uncredited)
1996
Treasure Island
Director (Directing)
1995
Empire of the Censors
as Self
1995
Music for the Movies: Georges Delerue
as Self
1995
The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch
as Mr. Kirsch
1995
Alice in Russialand
1995
The Mystery of Dr Martinu
Writer (Writing)
1993
The Secret Life of Arnold Bax
as Sir Arnold Bax
1992
Prisoner of Honor
Director (Directing)
1991
Whore
as Waiter (uncredited)
1991
The Russia House
as Walter
1990
Women and Men: Stories of Seduction
Director (Directing)
1990
The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner
Director (Directing)
1990
Pandora's Box: It's All Coming Back to Me Now
Director (Directing)
1989
The Rainbow
Screenplay (Writing)
1989
