Ken Russell

Personal Info

Birthday

July 3, 1927

Day of Death

2011-11-27

(84 years old)

Place of Birth

Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK

Also Known As

Alfred Russell

Alf Russell

Ken Russell

Biography

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.

Known For

Agatha Christie's Marple

Waking the Dead

Lady Chatterley

The Lair of the White Worm

The Russia House

Savage Messiah

Tommy

Whore

Filmography

2025
Twiggy
as (archival footage)
2022
The Who: One Band's Explosive Story
as Self (archive footage)
2012
Director of Devils
as Self
Ken Russell: A Bit of a Devil
as Self (archive footage)
2010
Mr. Nice
as Russell Miegs
2009
Boudica Bites Back
as Roman Senator
2007
A Kitten for Hitler
as Santa
10 Best Elgar
as Self (archive footage)
2006
The Real Blue Nuns
as Self
Trapped Ashes
as Dr. Lucy (segment "The Girl with Golden Breasts")
Brothers of the Head
as Himself
2005
Colour Me Kubrick
as The Man In Nightgown
2003
100 Greatest Sexy Moments
as Self
2002
Hell on Earth: The Desecration & Resurrection of The Devils
as Self
Elgar: Fantasy of a Composer on a Bicycle
as Narrator (voice)
The Fall of the Louse of Usher
as Dr. Calahari
2000
The Real Oliver Reed
as Self
Lion's Mouth
as Ken
1997
Ken Russell: In Search of the English Folk Song
as Himself
1996
Vem Var Dracula
as Self
1995
Empire of the Censors
as Self
Music for the Movies: Georges Delerue
as Self
The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch
as Mr. Kirsch
1992
The Secret Life of Arnold Bax
as Sir Arnold Bax
1991
Whore
as Waiter (uncredited)
1990
The Russia House
as Walter
1988
The Lair of the White Worm
as Police Radio (voice) (uncredited)
Salome's Last Dance
as Cappadocian
Ken Russell's ABC of British Music
as Himself
1987
Gothic
as Tourist
1986
A Turnip Head's Guide To The British Cinema
as Self
1983
Vaughan Williams: A Symphonic Portrait
as Self
1977
Valentino
as Rex Ingram (uncredited)
1975
Tommy
as Cripple (uncredited)
1972
Savage Messiah
as Passenger getting off train in station (uncredited)
1968
Song of Summer
as Priest
1966
Don’t Shoot the Composer
as Himself
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
as Captain Patterson
1961
Walk With The Damned
as Hood