Part of A2 Film Studies (WJEC) coursework (FM3). Also consisted of an annotated catalogue. Had to explore a theoretical issues/debate (e.g. authorship) within film studies and apply to original research.

1. 1 Excess: An Investigation into Ken Russell’s Status as Auteur. By Stewart Williams

2. Does Russell’s wide variety of films allow for an audience member to identify recurring themes, issues and cinematic style offering him the status of Auteur?

3. “This is the age of kicking people in the crotch and telling them something and getting a reaction. I want to shock people into awareness. I don’t believe there’s any virtue in understatement” 2 3

4. Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell “Ken Russell”b. 3 July 1927, Southampton. One of British cinema’s most unique and controversial directors. Russell began his career ballerina then turning to photography both informing his later career as a director. In 1959 Russell secured a career in direction. He began directing for the BBC’s arts programme Monitor. His debut theatrical release was the unsuccessful French Dressing (1959) Known For:Imaginative Biopics of Classical ComposersHas worked in extensively in both Film and Television. Appearance in Celebrity Big Brother 2007. 4

5. Filmography: French Dressing (1963) – Comedy Billion Dollar Brain (1967) – Action Women In Love (1969) – Period Drama The Music Lovers (1971) – Biopic The Devils (1971) – Historical The Boy Friend (1971) – Musical Savage Messiah (1972) – Biopic Mahler (1974) – Biopic Tommy (1975) – Musical Lisztomania (1975) – Musical Valentino (1977) – Biopic Altered States (1980) – Science Fiction Russell focuses on the sensational parts of characters and uses his imagination to comment on their emotional status. 5 Crimes of Passion (1984) - Drama/Thriller Gothic (1986) – Horror Salome’s Last Dance (1988) – Drama/ComedyLiar of the White Worm (1988) – Horror SpoofThe Rainbow (1989) – Period DramaWhore (1991) - Drama 4

7. Background in Photography tends for Russell to focus on Visual Image rather than the spoken word or the narrative structure.The merging of images/music advance the narrative and comment on the nuances on characters. Music is an integral part to Russell’s Vision as the aural rhythm provided complements the dominant visual rhythm (created through editing and camera movement) Tripartite Structure:1. Protagonists own romantic self image. (character) 2. Objective view revealed by perspective of time. (spectator) 3. Russell’s personal view of the subject. (Director). Which is demonstrated via intertextuality. The score not only defines the mood but underlines the emotional and psychological state of the protagonist. Music is used as a catalyst for the Character’s imaginations. Combines the score with the visual image to create meaning (usually as juxtaposition). These viewpoints are played against each another. Which results in distancing the spectator. Diegetic/Non-diegetic often supplies ironic commentary on the image or is used to disorientate the audience. Although the majority of Russell’s work is adapted from other sources. He combines his own vision with fact and speculation implied by the original source.

9. Themes 10 Selected Themes in Russell’s films are informed by his relationship to his Catholicism. ScepticismThe Devils (1971) DEVELOPED Tommy (1975) The Martyr The Devils (1971) – GrandierTommy (1975) - Tommy False idols -> Virgin Mary/ Marilyn Monroe Unhappy Marriages Women in Love The Devils->Marriage Forbidden Tommy -> False Marriage Female Sexuality GudrunSister JeanneNora Walker Catholicism shapes his attitude toward sex and relationships TommyAlthough it is an affirmative ending for Tommy. Fantasy destroys the lives of those around him Women In LoveCharacters fail in attaining romantic ideals. It drives them apart. The Devils Ultimately the town and its inhabitants are destroyed by Jeanne’s fantasies Russell’s major theme is: “the destructive power of fantasy on people’s lives”

10. 11 Women in Love (1969, UK, Ken Russell; Brandywine Productions) This is the film that established Russell as a major director. Adapted from D.H Laurence novel (1920). Russell focuses on the sensual parts on the novel and omits the political aspects. Frequent Collaborators: D.O.P : Billy WilliamsEditor: Michael BradsellComposer: Georges Delerue Costume Designer: Shirley RussellActors: Glenda Jackson; Christopher Gable; Oliver Reed; Catherine Wilmer; VladekSheybal. To distance the spectator Russell uses intertextuality:Contemporary advertisements; Greek Ballet; Song, I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles. Visual patterning of lovers is used to compare their different situations. Motif of dance expresses the characters emotions: e.g. The spontaneity of Ursula and Brikin’s relationship (Charleston’s; roughhouses; polka’s) Theme of Theatricality:The ‘Greek Ballet’; Dance;Loerke/Gudrun’s role-play. The setting of the Alps (whiteness) near the closing of the film represents the isolation of the character. This connotation repeated in the Setting of the convent in The Devils. Though it is developed as it also connotes an institution. Clip from Women in Love Major Theme: Sexuality

13. Conclusion –Auteur? 14 Through a wide variety of film (a short sample demonstrated here) shows Russell distinct visual style and the development of inter related themes throughout his career. Though Russell has adapted all his work from other sources (Novels/Biographies/Plays), through control of mise-en-scene, acting as producer and screenwriter on his major films and having control of subject matter, cast and crew has resulted in him being clearly the author of his films. All his films shared a unified visual style with the repetition and development of images and themes. His strong personality seems to have been projected into films even when he has not had control over the final cut. A steady stream of familiar talent also helped create a unified visual style throughout Russell’s films.

14. References Filmography The Devils, 1971. Film. Directed by Ken RUSSELL. UK: Russo Productions. Tommy, 1975. Film. Directed by Ken RUSSELL. UK: Hemdale Films, Robert Stigwood Organisation Ltd. Women in Love, 1969. Film. Directed by Ken RUSSELL. UK: Brandywine Productions Ken Russell. http://www.archive.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/09/ken-russell.html [accessed 18 January 2010). Joseph Lanza, Phallic Frenzy: Ken Russell and His Films (1st ed. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2007), p. 191 cited from Cocks, Jay. “Madhouse Notes”. Time, July 26, 1971. Still from Women in Love. teegardennash.com/pages/stills_examples.html [accessed 18 January 2010] Ken Russell.http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2009/03/20/a-ken-russell-interlude/ [accessed 18 January 2010] Poster, Salome’s Last Dance. http://gwendoline.tumblr.com/post/44550598/illusory-confections-salomes-last-dance [accessed 18 January 2010] Russell Directing, “The Devils”. https://greencine.com/central/disturbingfilms11 [accessed 19 January 2010] Poster, Crimes of Passion.http://www.britposters.com/thriller.htm [accessed 19 January 2010] Poster, Whore. http://www.impawards.com/1991/whore.html [accessed 19 January 2010] Poster, Valentino. http://uk.movieposter.com/poster/A70-7902/Valentino.html [accessed 19 January 2010] Spanish Poster, Mahler.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mahler_film.jpg [accessed 19 January 2010] Poster, Women in Love. http://www.moviegoods.com/movie_product_static.asp?master_movie_id=3414&sku=267562 [accessed 19 January 2010] Poster, The Devils. http://www.moviegoods.com/movie_product_static.asp?master_movie_id=3926&sku=107367 [accessed 19 January 2010] Poster, Tommy. http://www.learnaboutmovieposters.com/posters/db/poster.asp?pid=17961 [accessed 19 January 2010] Women in Love. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6711596/Women-in-Love-to-be-adapted-for-BBC.html [accessed 20 January 2010] Bibliography BAXTER, J., 1973. An Appalling Talent: Ken Russell. 1st ed. London: Michael Joseph. GOMEZ, J.A., 1976. Ken Russell: Adaptor as Creator. 1st ed. London: Frederick Muller. LANZA, J., 2007. Phallic Frenzy: Ken Russell and His Films. 1st ed. Chicago: Chicago Review Press.MUNDY J., 2007. The British Musical Film. 1st ed. Manchester: Manchester University Press.FISHER, J., 1976. Three Masterpieces of Sexuality: Women in Love, The Music Lovers, and The Devils. In: T.R. ATKINS, ed. Ken Russell. London: Monarch Press 39-68.GOMEZ, J.A., 1976. Russell’s Method of Adaption: Savage Messiah and Tommy. In: T. R. ATKINS, ed. Ken Russell. London: Monarch Press, 69-98. WILLAMS, L.R., 2007. Ken Russell: Sweet Smell of Success of Excess. Sight & Sound, 17 (7), 28-32.Hell on Earth: The Desecration & Resurrection of The Devils, Film Four International. TV, Channel 4. 2002.FISHER, I., 2001. Savage Messiah: Ken Russell [online]. Available from:http://www.iainfisher.com/russell.html[Accessed 10 October 2009].RILEY, J.A., 2009. Great Directors: Ken Russell. Senses of Cinema [Online], 51. Melbourne: AFI Research Collection. Available from:http://archive.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/09/ken-russell.html