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Ken Russell

Directing Born Jul 3, 1927 Died Nov 27, 2011 Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK 216 credits
216
Total Credits
1956–2025
70 Years Career Span
48
Vault Titles
10
Key Co-Stars

Biography

Ken Russell was a male English film director born on July 3, 1927, in Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK. He is known for his pioneering work in television and film, and for his controversial style. Russell began directing for the BBC, where he did creative adaptations of composers' lives. He also directed many feature films independently and for studios. He is best known for his work on films such as Women in Love and The Devils. Russell directed a total of 118 known credits. He passed away on November 27, 2011, at the age of 84.

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Career

Career overview

Ken Russell was a film director known for his pioneering work in television and film. He began directing for the BBC, where he created unusual adaptations of composers' lives. Russell also directed many feature films independently and for studios.

His subject matter often focused on famous composers or works of art that he adapted loosely. This style led to controversy, with some critics accusing him of being over-obsessed with sexuality and the church. Despite this, Russell's work had a significant impact on the film industry.

One of his most notable films is Women in Love, a romantic drama released in 1969. The film is notable for its portrayal of complex relationships and themes. Russell's work continues to be recognized for its innovative approach to storytelling and its influence on the film industry.

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Known for

Agatha Christie's Marple

as Rev Caleb Dane Calthrop
Film

Celebrity Naked Ambition

as Self - Contributor

Celebrity Big Brother

as Self

Waking the Dead

as Gerry Raistrick

Lady Chatterley

as Sir Michael Reid

Lady Chatterley

1993

Lady Chatterley

1993

Lady Chatterley

1993
Film

Whore

as Waiter (uncredited)
Film

Whore

1991
Film

Whore

1991
Film

Whore

1991

Frequent co-stars

Joely Richardson 2 shared titles
Sierra Katow 2 shared titles
Sean Bean 1 shared title
James Wilby 1 shared title
Shirley Anne Field 1 shared title
Melanie Hughes 1 shared title
David Sterne 1 shared title
Hetty Baynes 1 shared title
Pat Keen 1 shared title
Judith Paris 1 shared title

Career timeline

Twiggy
The Who: One Band's Explosive Story
Kitsune · Thanks
Director of DevilsThe Devils Original on-set footageKen Russell: A Bit of a Devil
Mr. NiceThe Aristofrogs
Boudica Bites BackBoudica Bites Back · DirectorBoudica Bites Back · Screenplay
Watch the Birdie · DirectorA Kitten for HitlerA Kitten for Hitler · DirectorA Kitten for Hitler · Writer10 Best Elgar
Brothers of the HeadTrapped AshesTrapped Ashes · DirectorThe Real Blue NunsCharlotte Brontë Enters the Big Brother House · Director
Colour Me KubrickThe Miners' Picnic by Ken Russell · Director
Agatha Christie's MarpleRevenge of the Elephant ManRevenge of the Elephant Man · DirectorRevenge of the Elephant Man · WriterRevenge of the Elephant Man · Producer
Celebrity Naked Ambition100 Greatest Sexy Moments
The Fall of the Louse of UsherThe Fall of the Louse of Usher · DirectorThe Fall of the Louse of Usher · WriterThe Fall of the Louse of Usher · ProducerThe Fall of the Louse of Usher · Cinematography
Celebrity Big BrotherWaking the Dead
The Real Oliver ReedLion's MouthLion's Mouth · DirectorLion's Mouth · Screenplay
Dogboys · DirectorDogboys · Producer
In Search of the English Folk SongIn Search of the English Folk Song · DirectorIn Search of the English Folk Song · Writer
Tales of EroticaTales of Erotica · DirectorTales of Erotica · WriterVem Var DraculaMindbender · Director
Treasure Island · DirectorTreasure Island · TeleplayThe Insatiable Mrs. KirschThe Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch · DirectorThe Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch · Writer
Lady ChatterleyLady Chatterley · WriterLady Chatterley · DirectorLady Chatterley · CreatorFrank Stubbs Promotes
The Mystery of Dr Martinu · WriterThe Mystery of Dr Martinu · DirectorThe Secret Life of Arnold BaxThe Secret Life of Arnold Bax · WriterThe Secret Life of Arnold Bax · Director
WhoreWhore · DirectorWhore · ScreenplayWhore · Camera OperatorPrisoner of Honor · Director
PlunderThe Russia HouseWomen and Men: Stories of Seduction · DirectorThe Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner · DirectorThe Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner · Writer
The Rainbow · DirectorThe Rainbow · ScreenplayThe Rainbow · ProducerA British Picture: Portrait of an Enfant TerribleA British Picture: Portrait of an Enfant Terrible · Director
The Lair of the White WormThe Lair of the White Worm · DirectorThe Lair of the White Worm · ScreenplayThe Lair of the White Worm · ProducerSalome's Last Dance
Aria · DirectorAria · WriterGothicGothic · DirectorYour Honour, I Object! Guccione V Russell
A Turnip Head's Guide To The British Cinema
Faust · Director
Crimes of Passion · DirectorVaughan Williams: A Symphonic PortraitVaughan Williams: A Symphonic Portrait · DirectorVaughan Williams: A Symphonic Portrait · ProducerVaughan Williams: A Symphonic Portrait · Writer
The Planets · Director
Altered States · Director

Full Filmography

216 titles
  • Twiggy (2025) as (archival footage)
  • The Who: One Band's Explosive Story (2022) as Self (archive footage)
  • Kitsune (2016) Thanks
  • Director of Devils (2012) as Self
  • The Devils Original on-set footage (2012)
  • Ken Russell: A Bit of a Devil (2012) as Self (archive footage)
  • Mr. Nice (2010) as Russell Miegs
  • The Aristofrogs (2010)
  • Advertisement
  • Boudica Bites Back (2009) as Roman Senator
  • Boudica Bites Back (2009) Director
  • Boudica Bites Back (2009) Screenplay
  • Watch the Birdie (2007) Director
  • A Kitten for Hitler (2007) as Santa
  • A Kitten for Hitler (2007) Director
  • A Kitten for Hitler (2007) Writer
  • 10 Best Elgar (2007) as Self (archive footage)
  • Brothers of the Head (2006) as Himself
  • Trapped Ashes (2006) as Dr. Lucy (segment "The Girl with Golden Breasts")
  • Trapped Ashes (2006) Director
  • The Real Blue Nuns (2006) as Self
  • Charlotte Brontë Enters the Big Brother House (2006) Director
  • Charlotte Brontë Enters the Big Brother House (2006) Director of Photography
  • Charlotte Brontë Enters the Big Brother House (2006) Writer
  • Charlotte Brontë Enters the Big Brother House (2006) Choreographer
  • Charlotte Brontë Enters the Big Brother House (2006) Producer
  • Colour Me Kubrick (2005) as The Man In Nightgown
  • The Miners' Picnic by Ken Russell (2005) Director
  • Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Rev Caleb Dane Calthrop
  • Revenge of the Elephant Man (2004)
  • Revenge of the Elephant Man (2004) Director
  • Revenge of the Elephant Man (2004) Writer
  • Revenge of the Elephant Man (2004) Producer
  • Celebrity Naked Ambition (2003) as Self - Contributor
  • 100 Greatest Sexy Moments (2003) as Self
  • The Fall of the Louse of Usher (2002) as Dr. Calahari
  • The Fall of the Louse of Usher (2002) Director
  • The Fall of the Louse of Usher (2002) Writer
  • The Fall of the Louse of Usher (2002) Producer
  • The Fall of the Louse of Usher (2002) Cinematography
  • The Fall of the Louse of Usher (2002) Editor
  • The Fall of the Louse of Usher (2002) Director of Photography
  • Elgar: Fantasy of a Composer on a Bicycle (2002) as Narrator (voice)
  • Elgar: Fantasy of a Composer on a Bicycle (2002) Director
  • Elgar: Fantasy of a Composer on a Bicycle (2002) Producer
  • Elgar: Fantasy of a Composer on a Bicycle (2002) Writer
  • Hell on Earth: The Desecration & Resurrection of The Devils (2002) as Self
  • Celebrity Big Brother (2001) as Self
  • Waking the Dead (2001) as Gerry Raistrick
  • The Real Oliver Reed (2000) as Self
  • Lion's Mouth (2000) as Ken
  • Lion's Mouth (2000) Director
  • Lion's Mouth (2000) Screenplay
  • Dogboys (1998) Director
  • Dogboys (1998) Producer
  • In Search of the English Folk Song (1997) as Self
  • In Search of the English Folk Song (1997) Director
  • In Search of the English Folk Song (1997) Writer
  • Tales of Erotica (1996) as Mr. Kirsch (segment 'The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch') (uncredited)
  • Tales of Erotica (1996) Director
  • Tales of Erotica (1996) Writer
  • Vem Var Dracula (1996) as Self
  • Mindbender (1996) Director
  • Mindbender (1996) Writer
  • Treasure Island (1995) Director
  • Treasure Island (1995) Teleplay
  • The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch (1995) as Mr. Kirsch
  • The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch (1995) Director
  • The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch (1995) Writer
  • Alice in Russialand (1995)
  • Alice in Russialand (1995) Director
  • Alice in Russialand (1995) Writer
  • Empire of the Censors (1995) as Self
  • Music for the Movies: Georges Delerue (1995) as Self
  • Lady Chatterley (1993) as Sir Michael Reid
  • Lady Chatterley (1993) Writer
  • Lady Chatterley (1993) Director
  • Lady Chatterley (1993) Creator
  • Frank Stubbs Promotes (1993) as Self
  • The Mystery of Dr Martinu (1992) Writer
  • The Mystery of Dr Martinu (1992) Director
  • The Secret Life of Arnold Bax (1992) as Sir Arnold Bax
  • The Secret Life of Arnold Bax (1992) Writer
  • The Secret Life of Arnold Bax (1992) Director
  • Whore (1991) as Waiter (uncredited)
  • Whore (1991) Director
  • Whore (1991) Screenplay
  • Whore (1991) Camera Operator
  • Prisoner of Honor (1991) Director
  • Road to Mandalay (1991) as Self
  • Road to Mandalay (1991) Director
  • Road to Mandalay (1991) Writer
  • Plunder (1990)
  • The Russia House (1990) as Walter
  • Women and Men: Stories of Seduction (1990) Director
  • The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner (1990) Director
  • The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner (1990) Writer
  • The Rainbow (1989) Director
  • The Rainbow (1989) Screenplay
  • The Rainbow (1989) Producer
  • A British Picture: Portrait of an Enfant Terrible (1989)
  • A British Picture: Portrait of an Enfant Terrible (1989) Director
  • A British Picture: Portrait of an Enfant Terrible (1989) Writer
  • Il Mefistofele (1989) Director
  • The Lair of the White Worm (1988) as Police Radio (voice) (uncredited)
  • The Lair of the White Worm (1988) Director
  • The Lair of the White Worm (1988) Screenplay
  • The Lair of the White Worm (1988) Producer
  • Salome's Last Dance (1988) as Cappadocian
  • Salome's Last Dance (1988) Director
  • Salome's Last Dance (1988) Screenplay
  • Ken Russell's ABC of British Music (1988) as Himself
  • Ken Russell's ABC of British Music (1988) Director
  • Ken Russell's ABC of British Music (1988) Writer
  • Aria (1987) Director
  • Aria (1987) Writer
  • Gothic (1987) as Tourist
  • Gothic (1987) Director
  • Your Honour, I Object! Guccione V Russell (1987)
  • A Turnip Head's Guide To The British Cinema (1986) as Self
  • Faust (1985) Director
  • Crimes of Passion (1984) Director
  • Vaughan Williams: A Symphonic Portrait (1984) as Self
  • Vaughan Williams: A Symphonic Portrait (1984) Director
  • Vaughan Williams: A Symphonic Portrait (1984) Producer
  • Vaughan Williams: A Symphonic Portrait (1984) Writer
  • The Planets (1983) Director
  • Altered States (1980) Director
  • The Who: The Kids Are Alright (1979) as Self
  • The South Bank Show (1978) as Self
  • The South Bank Show (1978) Director
  • Clouds of Glory (1978) Director
  • Clouds of Glory (1978) Writer
  • Clouds of Glory (1978) Creator
  • Valentino (1977) as Rex Ingram (uncredited)
  • Valentino (1977) Director
  • Valentino (1977) Screenplay
  • Tommy (1975) as Cripple (uncredited)
  • Tommy (1975) Director
  • Tommy (1975) Screenplay
  • Tommy (1975) Producer
  • Lisztomania (1975) Director
  • Lisztomania (1975) Screenplay
  • Mahler (1974) Director
  • Mahler (1974) Writer
  • Savage Messiah (1972) as Passenger getting off train in station (uncredited)
  • Savage Messiah (1972) Director
  • Savage Messiah (1972) Producer
  • Film '72 (1971) as Self
  • The Devils (1971) Director
  • The Devils (1971) Screenplay
  • The Devils (1971) Producer
  • The Music Lovers (1971) Director
  • The Music Lovers (1971) Producer
  • The Boy Friend (1971) Director
  • The Boy Friend (1971) Screenplay
  • The Boy Friend (1971) Producer
  • Dance of the Seven Veils (1970) Director
  • Dance of the Seven Veils (1970) Writer
  • Women in Love (1969) Director
  • Song of Summer (1968) as Priest
  • Song of Summer (1968) Director
  • Song of Summer (1968) Writer
  • Omnibus (1967) as Self
  • Billion Dollar Brain (1967) Director
  • Dante's Inferno (1967) Director
  • Don’t Shoot the Composer (1966) as Himself
  • Don’t Shoot the Composer (1966) Director
  • Don’t Shoot the Composer (1966) Producer
  • Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1966) as Captain Patterson
  • Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1966) Director
  • Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1966) Writer
  • Russell at Work (1966)
  • Always on Sunday (1965) Director
  • Always on Sunday (1965) Scenario Writer
  • Always on Sunday (1965) Producer
  • The Debussy Film (1965) Director
  • The Debussy Film (1965) Scenario Writer
  • Bela Bartók (1964) Director
  • Bela Bartók (1964) Screenplay
  • Six (1964) Writer
  • Six (1964) Director
  • French Dressing (1964) Director
  • The Diary of a Nobody (1964) Director
  • The Diary of a Nobody (1964) Writer
  • Elgar (1962) Director
  • Elgar (1962) Writer
  • Pop Goes the Easel (1962) Director
  • The Preservation Man (1962) Director
  • The Lonely Shore (1962) Director
  • Mr Chesher’s Traction Engines (1962) Director
  • Antonio Gaudí (1961) Director
  • Prokofiev (1961) Director
  • Walk With The Damned (1961) as Hood
  • Lotte Lenya Sings Kurt Weill (1961) Director
  • London Moods (1961) Director
  • Old Battersea House (1961) Director
  • The Light Fantastic (1960) Director
  • Shelagh Delaney's Salford (1960) Director
  • Journey Into a Lost World (1960) Director
  • A House in Bayswater (1960) Director
  • A House in Bayswater (1960) Writer
  • A Bedlington Miners' Picnic (1960) Director
  • Gordon Jacob (1959) Director
  • Portrait of a Goon (1959) Director
  • John Betjeman: A Poet in London (1959) Director
  • From Spain to Streatham (1959) Director
  • Variations on a Mechanical Theme (1959) Director
  • Scottish Painters (1959) Director
  • Amelia and the Angel (1958) Director
  • Amelia and the Angel (1958) Writer
  • Amelia and the Angel (1958) Story
  • Amelia and the Angel (1958) Cinematography
  • Lourdes (1958) Director
  • Knights on Bikes (1956) Director
  • Peepshow (1956) Director
  • PuzzleFace as god

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Ken Russell best known for?

Ken Russell is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Agatha Christie's Marple (2004), Celebrity Naked Ambition (2003), Celebrity Big Brother (2001), Waking the Dead (2001).

When and where was Ken Russell born?

Ken Russell was born on July 3, 1927 in Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK. They passed away on November 27, 2011.

How many credits does Ken Russell have?

Ken Russell has accumulated over 216 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1956 to 2025.

What is Ken Russell's background in cinema and television?

Ken Russell was a male English film director born on July 3, 1927, in Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK. He is known for his pioneering work in television and film, and for his controversial style. Russell began directing for the BBC, where he did creative adaptations of composers' lives. He also directed many featur...

Ken Russell by the numbers

216credits
198films
18TV series
1956–2025active years

Age in their best-rated roles

Full filmography (216) Born on July 3 In memoriam 2011

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