Ken Russell
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."
Filmography (60 titles)
7.7MovieTwiggy
(archival footage) · 2025
8.0MovieThe Who: One Band's Explosive Story
Self (archive footage) · 2022
MovieDirector of Devils
Self · 2012
8.0MovieKen Russell: A Bit of a Devil
Self (archive footage) · 2012
The Devils Original on-set footage
2012
6.1MovieMr. Nice
Russell Miegs · 2010
MovieThe Aristofrogs
2010
Boudica Bites Back
Roman Senator · 2009
4.7MovieA Kitten for Hitler
Santa · 2007
Movie10 Best Elgar
Self (archive footage) · 2007
4.5MovieThe Real Blue Nuns
Self · 2006
5.1MovieTrapped Ashes
Dr. Lucy (segment "The Girl with Golden Breasts") · 2006
5.5MovieBrothers of the Head
Himself · 2006
5.7MovieColour Me Kubrick
The Man In Nightgown · 2005
7.8ShowAgatha Christie's Marple
Rev Caleb Dane Calthrop · 2004
Revenge of the Elephant Man
2004
3.5Movie100 Greatest Sexy Moments
Self · 2003
8.0MovieCelebrity Naked Ambition
Self - Contributor · 2003
6.4MovieHell on Earth: The Desecration & Resurrection of The Devils
Self · 2002
7.3MovieElgar: Fantasy of a Composer on a Bicycle
Narrator (voice) · 2002
5.1MovieThe Fall of the Louse of Usher
Dr. Calahari · 2002
7.2ShowWaking the Dead
Gerry Raistrick · 2001
5.0ShowCelebrity Big Brother
Self · 2001
MovieThe Real Oliver Reed
Self · 2000
Lion's Mouth
Ken · 2000
7.7MovieIn Search of the English Folk Song
Self · 1997
MovieVem Var Dracula
Self · 1996
3.9MovieTales of Erotica
Mr. Kirsch (segment 'The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch') (uncredited) · 1996
Empire of the Censors
Self · 1995
7.0MovieMusic for the Movies: Georges Delerue
Self · 1995