Ken Russell

Ken Russell Trailers

Twiggy TrailerThe Who: One Band's Explosive Story TrailerDirector of Devils Trailer

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."

Most Popular Ken Russell Trailers

Total trailers found: 107

Savage Messiah Trailer (1972)

27 June 1972

In the Paris of the 1910s, brash young sculptor Henri Gaudier begins a creative partnership with an older writer, Sophie Brzeska.

Celebrity Naked Ambition Trailer (2003)

19 July 2003

Documentary looking at how nudity has been used in the movies, sometimes shrewdly and other times without thought.

The Real Oliver Reed Trailer (2000)

13 January 2000

A documentary portrait about the life and times of the infamous hellraiser, who died in May 1999, having starred in more than 100 films.

The Lair of the White Worm Trailer (1988)

21 September 1988

When an archaeologist uncovers a strange skull in a foreign land, the residents of a nearby town begin to disappear, leading to further inexplicable occurrences.

The Devils Trailer (1971)

16 July 1971

A charismatic 17th-century French priest becomes the target of a sexually obsessed nun’s witchcraft accusations, which corrupt church and state officials are all too happy to exploit.

Faust Trailer (1985)

01 June 1985

In an epic tale of good versus evil, Faust sells his soul to the Devil and tries to save Marguerite from an eternity in Hell.

Revenge of the Elephant Man Trailer (2004)

14 July 2004

A short directed by Ken Russell.

Aria Trailer (1987)

27 May 1987

Ten short pieces directed by ten different directors, including Ken Russell, Jean-Luc Godard, Robert Altman, Bruce Beresford, and Nicolas Roeg.

Valentino Trailer (1977)

07 September 1977

The untimely death of silent screen star Rudolph Valentino prompts the many women in his past to reminisce about his troubled rise to superstardom.

Colour Me Kubrick Trailer (2005)

06 October 2005

The true story of a man who posed as director Stanley Kubrick during the production of Kubrick's last film, Eyes Wide Shut, despite knowing very little about his work and looking nothing like him.

10 Best Elgar Trailer (2007)

27 April 2007

A line up of star performers celebrate the very best of Edward Elgar's music in the 150th anniversary year of his birth.

Amelia and the Angel Trailer (1958)

12 May 1958

A young girl (Amelia) is distressed and feeling guilty about losing the wings she was to wear in her school play.

Women in Love Trailer (1969)

13 September 1969

Growing up in the sheltered confines of a 1920s English coal-mining community, free-spirited sisters Gudrun and Ursula explore erotic love with a wealthy playboy and a philosophical educator, with cataclysmic results for all four.

The Real Blue Nuns Trailer (2006)

16 October 2006

An investigation into nunsploitation, and why men find images of nuns involved in sexual situations erotic.

Altered States Trailer (1980)

25 December 1980

A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of human consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from Native American shamans, he explores these altered states of cognizance and finds that memory, time, and reality itself are states of mind.

Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World Trailer (1966)

02 January 1966

The outrageous life of the American dancer of the 1920s, Isadora Duncan, whom Ken Russell described as "part genius and part charlatan".

Ken Russell: A Bit of a Devil Trailer (2012)

14 January 2012

Following the recent death of Ken Russell, Alan Yentob looks back over the career of the flamboyant film director responsible for Women In Love, Tommy and The Devils.

Crimes of Passion Trailer (1984)

19 October 1984

Fashion designer Joanna Crane leads a double life. By night she is China Blue, a prostitute who's attracted the attention of a sexually frustrated private detective, and a psychopathic priest in possession of a murderous sex toy.

Empire of the Censors Trailer (1995)

28 May 1995

The history of film and video censorship in Great Britain.

The Russia House Trailer (1990)

21 December 1990

Barley Scott Blair, a Lisbon-based editor of Russian literature who unexpectedly begins working for British intelligence, is commissioned to investigate the purposes of Dante, a dissident scientist trapped in the decaying Soviet Union that is crumbling under the new open-minded policies.

Whore Trailer (1991)

21 June 1991

This melodrama investigates the life of a sex worker, in a pseudo-documentary style.

Kitsune Trailer (2016)

29 October 2016

A man trapped in purgatory must come face to face with his own demons.

Mahler Trailer (1974)

04 April 1974

Famed composer Gustav Mahler reflects on the tragedies of his life and failing marriage while traveling by train.

Tommy Trailer (1975)

19 March 1975

After a series of traumatic childhood events, a psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind boy becomes a master pinball player and the object of a religious cult.

The Boy Friend Trailer (1971)

16 December 1971

When the leading lady of a low-budget musical revue sprains her ankle, the assistant stage manager is forced to understudy and perform in her place.

Twiggy Trailer (2025)

07 March 2025

Twiggy takes a comprehensive look at the life story of UK model and cultural icon Twiggy, real name Lesley Lawson, whose career kickstarted in the 1960s.

100 Greatest Sexy Moments Trailer (2003)

29 November 2003

Documentary, based on a British poll, listing the 100 sexiest movie and TV moments. Supplemented by new interviews with performers, filmmakers, and authors/critics.

Song of Summer Trailer (1968)

15 September 1968

An immensely moving story of sacrifice, idealism and musical genius which charts the last five years of Frederick Delius's life through the eyes of a young composer and aide, Eric Fenby.

Elgar Trailer (1962)

11 November 1962

An astonishing documentary of the life of classical composer Sir Edward Elgar. This partly dramatised account is remarkable for its sensitive portrayal of the rise of a young musician from an underprivileged background to international fame.

Your Honour, I Object! Guccione V Russell Trailer (1987)

27 November 1987

A courtroom 'drama' featuring Bob Guccione versus Ken Russell in a breach of contract case regarding disagreements over a script for a film version of Daniel De foe's "Moll Flanders" which Guccione hired Russell to direct.

Brothers of the Head Trailer (2006)

28 July 2006

In the 1970s a music promoter plucks Siamese twins from obscurity and grooms them into a freakish rock'n'roll act.

Alice in Russialand Trailer (1995)

01 January 1995

A young girl named Alice travels through a century of Russian history, from Tsarism, through Socialism and Glasnost.

Russell at Work Trailer (1966)

01 January 1966

Documentary shows Ken Russell at work on various BBC TV documentaries, with clips from Diary of a Nobody, The Debussy Film, Always on Sunday, Don't Shoot the Composer, Elgar and behind the scenes directing of Isadora Duncan.

The Who: One Band's Explosive Story Trailer (2022)

26 August 2022

The story of Roger Daltrey (vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass) and Keith Moon (drums): The Who, one of the most original, creative and relevant British bands of the sixties and of the entire history of pop music.

The Rainbow Trailer (1989)

05 May 1989

Born to a rich landowner in the waning days of the Victorian era, Ursula Brangwen grows into a beautiful young woman full of imagination and ambition.

Music for the Movies: Georges Delerue Trailer (1995)

04 April 1995

Documentary covering the career of French composer Georges Delerue, famous for film scores for such films as Platoon, Contempt, Shoot the Piano Player, and Jules and Jim.

Mr. Nice Trailer (2010)

07 October 2010

Biopic about 1970s Welsh marijuana trafficker Howard Marks, whose inventive smuggling schemes made him a huge success in the drug trade, as well as leading to dealings with both the IRA and British Intelligence.

Old Battersea House Trailer (1961)

04 June 1961

Mrs Wilhelmina Sterling shows her vast collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings, pottery and other artefacts at her home in Battersea.

Lisztomania Trailer (1975)

01 October 1975

In the 19th century, Romantic composer/pianist Franz Liszt tries to end his hedonistic ways but keeps getting sucked back in by his seductive fellow composer Richard Wagner.

Billion Dollar Brain Trailer (1967)

16 November 1967

A former British spy stumbles into in a plot to overthrow Communism with the help of a supercomputer. But who is working for whom?

The Who: The Kids Are Alright Trailer (1979)

15 June 1979

Through concert performances and interviews, this film offers us a comprehensive look at the British pioneer rock group, The Who.

Salome's Last Dance Trailer (1988)

06 May 1988

London, England, November 5th, 1892, Guy Fawkes Night. The famous playwright Oscar Wilde and his lover Lord Alfred Douglas discreetly go to a luxury brothel where the owner, Alfred Taylor, has prepared a surprise for the renowned author: a private and very special performance of his play Salome, banned by the authorities, in which Taylor himself and the peculiar inhabitants of the exclusive establishment will participate.

Trapped Ashes Trailer (2006)

12 September 2006

Trapped in a house of horror, seven people discover that the only way they'll get out alive is to tell their scariest stories.

The Fall of the Louse of Usher Trailer (2002)

02 February 2002

Rock star Roddy Usher is confined to an insane asylum after murdering his wife. There, he is given various shock treatments by Nurse Smith and Dr Calahari, resulting in a series of bizarre and nightmarish adventures.

Bela Bartók Trailer (1964)

24 May 1964

A portrait of the life and work of the great Hungarian composer Béla Bartók, exploring both his music and his passionate interest in his country's folklore.

The Devils Original on-set footage Trailer (2012)

01 January 2012

On-set footage of the film The Devils (1971) with commentary by editor Mike Bradsell

Gordon Jacob Trailer (1959)

29 March 1959

A portrait of the English composer Gordon Jacob.

Journey Into a Lost World Trailer (1960)

28 March 1960

John Betjeman reminisces on Britain's great historical exhibitions since the 1870s: including Alexandra Palace, the Empire Exhibition at Wembley and the Festival of Britain.

Mr Chesher’s Traction Engines Trailer (1962)

01 July 1962

Explores the worldview of A.W. Chesher, who has a special interest in painting steam traction engines.

Knights on Bikes Trailer (1956)

01 January 1956

A romance between a clumsy knight and a damsel in distress.

Prisoner of Honor Trailer (1991)

02 November 1991

France, 1897: Colonel Georges Picquart challenges the government when he discovers the obscure political maneuvers that leads to the imprisonment of the Jewish Captain Alfred Dreyfus after being convicted of espionage three years earlier.

The Music Lovers Trailer (1971)

12 February 1971

Composer, conductor and teacher Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky struggles against his homosexual tendencies by marrying, but unfortunately, he chooses wacky nymphomaniac Nina, whom he is unable to satisfy.

Women and Men: Stories of Seduction Trailer (1990)

02 April 1990

An erotic anthology based on classic short stories, chronicling the complicated relations between the sexes: a salesman seduces a woman on a train; a romantic evening is interrupted by phone calls; and a couple vacationing in Spain discusses a pregnancy.

Gothic Trailer (1987)

27 February 1987

Living on an estate on the shores of Lake Geneva, Lord Byron is visited by Percy and Mary Shelley. Together with Byron's lover Claire Clairmont, and aided by hallucinogenic substances, they devise an evening of ghoulish tales.

Treasure Island Trailer (1995)

27 September 1995

Enchanted by the idea of locating treasure buried by Captain Flint, Squire Trelawney, Dr Livesey and young Jim Hawkins charter a sailing voyage to a Caribbean island.

Dante's Inferno Trailer (1967)

22 December 1967

The story of the influential 19th century British poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti and his troubled and somewhat morbid relationship with his wife and his art.

French Dressing Trailer (1964)

10 April 1964

A deck-chair attendant at a British resort promotes a film festival featuring a French sexpot.

Peepshow Trailer (1956)

29 March 1956

A parable made in the manner of an old silent comedy about artistry and illusion.

Mindbender Trailer (1996)

02 October 1996

Scientist Joe Hartman introduces self-proclaimed Middle Eastern psychic Uri Geller to America.

The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner Trailer (1990)

14 October 1990

An exploration of composer Anton Bruckner's numeromania during a nervous breakdown and stay at a sanatorium.