Ken Russell tried several professions, before choosing to become a film director.He was a still photographer a dancer and even served in the army, but it was film that was to be Mr. Russell's destiny. He began by making several short films, and those paved the way for his brilliant television films of the sixties that are acclaimed for his attention to detail and opulent visuals. His third feature film 'Women in Love' was a triumph and he became an internationally known filmmaker.In the 1970s his talent truly blossomed , over the next 2 decades he would direct a succession of remarkable films most of them contained his trademark flamboyance that critics generally dismiss but many seem to find this engrossing.He will forever be remembered as a controversial & visionary artist with something of a third eye when it comes to making oddball dramas that have captivating images and themes.


Father of Alex Russell, Molly Russell, Rupert Russell, Toby Russell and Victoria Russell. Became interested in making movies after frequenting the cinema after school with his mother. His films were popular in Italy. At the 1971 Venice Film Festival he won Best Director-Foreign Film for The Devils (1971). In the early 1980s during preproduction for the film version of the stage hit "Evita", he was so impressed with Liza Minnelli's screen test that he refused to direct the film without her. But the producers wanted Elaine Paige and the production came to a halt. The film was eventually made by Alan Parker starring Madonna. Stanley Kubrick once called him in the early 1970s to ask him where he had found the lovely locations for his films. Russell complied and Kubrick used the locations in his next film Barry Lyndon (1975). Russell later said, "I felt quite chuffed". He was a guest of Belgrade Film Festival - FEST 2003. His first wife, Shirley Russell, was the costume designer on all of his films until 1978 when they divorced. She was later nominated for two Oscars: Michael Apted's Agatha (1979) and Warren Beatty's Reds (1981). Was sometimes called the "Fellini of the North". Was part of a legendary incident in British television when he appeared on Late Night Line-Up on BBC2 to discuss his new film The Devils (1971) alongside critic Alexander Walker, who did not like the film. As Walker began critiquing the film, Russell interrupted him repeatedly. The two began shouting at each other, and Russell eventually hit Walker over the head with a rolled up copy of his own review. The incident took place on live television and no footage is known to exist. Considers his best film to be _Song of Summer: Frederick Delius (1968)_ which he directed for the BBC. When discussing the film he said, "This is the best film I have ever made... I don't think I would have done a single shot differently.".