Ken Russell

Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell

Film Director, Provocateur, Visual Stylist

Born Jul 03, 1927

Southampton, Great Britain

Passed Away Nov 27, 2011 Lymington, United Kingdom

Lifespan 84 years old

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Notice / Correction

"My work is about passion, excess, and ecstasy; cinema should overwhelm the senses."

Archival Overview

Flamboyant and controversial British film director renowned for flamboyant, visually extravagant biographies of composers and bold films like Women in Love, The Devils, and The Who's Tommy.

Biographical Record

Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell served in the Royal Air Force and worked as a photographer before directing groundbreaking biographical arts documentaries for the BBC's 'Monitor' series, dramatizing the lives of Elgar, Debussy, and Delius.

Russell transitioned to feature films with 'Women in Love' (1969), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director and won Glenda Jackson the Oscar for Best Actress. He pushed artistic boundaries with the scandalous historical drama 'The Devils' (1971) and directed the rock opera 'Tommy' (1975) with The Who.

Key Life Milestones

1969

Women in Love

Directed the D. H. Lawrence adaptation, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.

1975

Tommy Rock Opera Film

Directed the lavish, visually dazzling film adaptation of The Who's classic rock album, scoring a major box office hit.

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Cremated, private memorial
Lymington, United Kingdom

                         GPS: 50.7583, -1.5472                    

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