![Ken Russell, Director Fond of Provocation, Dies at 84
While most may know this controversial director for the 70s cult classic, “Tommy,” his repertoire reaches far beyond the land of the Pinball Wizard. I found many of his films on Netflix, including one of my favorite William Hurt movies, “Altered States” (1980) and another starring Michael Caine, “Billion Dollar Brain.”
[NY Times]
“Ken Russell, the English filmmaker and writer whose outsize personality matched the confrontational brashness of his movies, among them ‘Women in Love’ and ‘The Devils,’ died on Sunday at his home in Lymington, England. He was 84.
Mr. Russell’s feature-film career began with a couple of lightweight genre assignments, the romantic comedy “French Dressing” (1964) and ‘Billion Dollar Brain’ (1967), a spy movie with Michael Caine. But it took off with “Women in Love,” a sensuous period piece that connected with the liberated sexual politics of the late ’60s. Although the film was generally well reviewed and a mainstream success — it earned Mr. Russell his one Academy Award nomination for best director and Glenda Jackson an Oscar for best actress — it was also the first glimpse of his flair for provocation.
‘Women in Love’ became infamous for an extended wrestling scene between the two male stars, Oliver Reed and Alan Bates, that showed full-frontal nudity. It made it past the British censorship board only after Mr. Russell agreed to trim a few shots, though nudity remained.”
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Ken Russell, Director Fond of Provocation, Dies at 84
While most may know this controversial director for the 70s cult classic, “Tommy,” his repertoire reaches far beyond the land of the Pinball Wizard. I found many of his films on Netflix, including one of my favorite William Hurt movies, “Altered States” (1980) and another starring Michael Caine, “Billion Dollar Brain.”
[NY Times]
“Ken Russell, the English filmmaker and writer whose outsize personality matched the confrontational brashness of his movies, among them ‘Women in Love’ and ‘The Devils,’ died on Sunday at his home in Lymington, England. He was 84.
Mr. Russell’s feature-film career began with a couple of lightweight genre assignments, the romantic comedy “French Dressing” (1964) and ‘Billion Dollar Brain’ (1967), a spy movie with Michael Caine. But it took off with “Women in Love,” a sensuous period piece that connected with the liberated sexual politics of the late ’60s. Although the film was generally well reviewed and a mainstream success — it earned Mr. Russell his one Academy Award nomination for best director and Glenda Jackson an Oscar for best actress — it was also the first glimpse of his flair for provocation.
‘Women in Love’ became infamous for an extended wrestling scene between the two male stars, Oliver Reed and Alan Bates, that showed full-frontal nudity. It made it past the British censorship board only after Mr. Russell agreed to trim a few shots, though nudity remained.”
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