Ken Russell hot news

The Big Lebowski. The Devils on DVD. Ken and Peter Black on Sky Arts. The Music Lovers issued in the USA. A House in Bayswater online. Send details here. Last update 22 Jan 2012.

The Big Lebowski

Not real but an article on "What if those modern blockbusters were made in the 1950s? Artist imagines their posters and who would star in them". Ken directing Zappa, Bowie and Iggy Pop alongside Kinski, Warhol and Clint Eastwood. If only... The article is here.

The Devils on DVD (2 DVD set)

There have been lots of announcements of The Devils on DVD but it does now seem to be coming. The BFI (British Film Institute) are to issue a two-disc special edition in March 2012. This will not be the restored version but the 1971 British theatrical cut. With two DVDs there will be a lot of extras. Thanks to Willem for the information.

The extras are likely to include:

an introduction with Ken

an audio commentary with Ken Russell, Mark Kermode, Mike Bradsell and Paul Joyce

the Hell on Earth documentary

Director of the Devils, a documentary featuring Ken Russell interviews and unique footage of Peter Maxwell Davies recording the film score

original on-set footage with commentary by editor Mike Bradsell

Ken's short Amelia and the Angel (good to have it, but a strange choice- was it just because Angels contrasts with Devil?)

original UK and US trailers

illustrated booklet featuring new essays and notes from Mark Kermode, Craig Lappe, Sam Ashby and others

A House in Bayswater

Ken's short (30 minute) BBC film from 1960 is now available online. Click here.

Song of Summer in London

Song of Summer will be shown at the Royal Festival Hall, London on 29 Jan 2012. There is a planned round table discussion with Julian Lloyd Webber, Delius expert Lyndon Jenkins and other guests.

The event follows a concert by the Philharmonia Orchestra featuring Delius' Brigg Fair and Cello Concerto performed by Julian Lloyd Webber.

Ken Russell: Re-Viewing England's Last Mannerist

A new book on Ken Russell, Ken Russell: Re-Viewing England's Last Mannerist is published by Scarecrow Press, USA. The book is edited by Kevin M. Flanagan.

The book "on the one hand, explores areas of Russell's career that have been somewhat overlooked or marginalized, and on the other expands the applicability of Russell's films to academic film study. Roughly half of the essays in the book are "academic" while the other half, though still scholarly, could be seen as more popular and historical. Topics covered include an elucidation of all of Russell's Monitor films, a new framework for reading Russell's whole career (as a champion of the amateur aesthetic), an essay on Russell's approach to 1980s horror, a reconsideration of Salome's Last Dance, and many, many more. Contributing writers include Barry Keith Grant, John C. Tibbetts, Joseph A. Gomez, Paul Sutton and John Kenneth Muir. Thanks to Kevin for the information.

You can buy it here.

Recent changes to the site:

French Dressing updated (and ongoing) here 22 Jan 2012

updates to Mahler (Apocalypse Now photos added) here 22 Jan 2012

links updated 5 Jan 2012

the Hot News and feedback pages are updated every month

Too late- you missed it:

Ken and Peter Blake

Ken and Peter Blake appear in conversation on Sky Arts on 15 Jan 2012. Peter Blake is famour for designing the cover of Sgt. Pepper, and appeared in Ken's television film Pop Goes the Easel. Click on the image for a trailer.

Ken's photos in the Isle of White, UK - extended

Photographs by Ken at Dimbola Museum and Galleries 'London Lost and Rediscovered.' It is on from 7 Oct 2011- 15 Jan 2012 (this is extended). Details are here.

Ken Russell: A Bit of a Devil and Women in Love and The Rainbow

BBC2 are broadcasting Ken Russell: A Bit of a Devil, presented by Alan Yentob. Women in Love follows then The Rainbow. It is on 14 Jan 2012. Thanks to Richmond74 for the details.

Ken Russell passes away

Following a number of strokes recently, Ken died peacefully in his sleep.

Happily he lived to see Dance of the Seven Veils on the screen (the last time I talked to him a couple of months ago) and he lived to see The Devils announced on DVD.

Gothic in 3D!!!

Amazingly Ken's Gothic has been converted to 3D. It is Region 1 (USA). Click on the image to order. Thanks to Willem for the information.

The Music Lovers on DVD: UK and USA

The Music Lovers is now available. It is region 2, no extras. Click on the image to order. Thanks to regal26 and Apulieus for the information.

The Music Lovers was released in the US on 27 Sept 2011, an MGM Made on Demand DVD. Thanks to Brian for the information.

Savage Messiah and The Boy Friend on DVD

Warner Bros have issued Savage Messiah and The Boy Friend on DVD in America. Click on the image to order. Thanks to regal26 and Brian for the information.

New short film on Aleister Crowley

A new short film by Ken is underway. Ken plays devil worshipper Aleister Crowley. Click on the image for the details from Imperium Pictures.

Invasion of the Not Quite Dead

A new film but Ken produces and plays a role rather than directs. The director and writer is Tony Lane and the actors include Ajay Nayyar, Warwick Davis, Lloyd Kaufman, Peter Iasillo Jr, Laura Harvey and Thomas Fisher.

Ken in poor health

Ken had two strokes recently, and is feeling frail though he is still walking about. Best wishes to him for a good recovery.

Dear Censor on BBC4

BBC 4 show a programme on film censorship. Ken's letter to the censor on The Devils is "Dear John: I have cleaned up the shit from the altar and cut the orgy in half". It is on 29 Sept 2011.

very rare showing of Dance of the Seven Veils
with Ken and Georgina Hale

The Dance of the Seven Veils and Mahler will be shown at the Chichester Film Festival on 28 Aug 2011. Ken Russell and Georgina Hale will be present. Click on the image for more details. Thanks to Ian for the information.