Ken Russell (1927-2011) was nothing if not confrontational, often of the sledge-hammer variety. Now I'd hate to suggest he peaked early, but if there's one film of his that I don't ever want to be without, it's his 1962 BBC documentary portrait of Sir Edward Elgar. The stunning black and white photography of the Malvern Hills is alone enough.
See what I mean:
2 comments:
We have just seen this film for the very first time, having been tipped off of its existence in part by a search that led to this post. The Elgar had us enthralled for many reasons. Pomp and Circumstance played against photographs and film of the reality of the war--he needed no sledgehammer for that one, did he?
Indeed not! How lovely to have you visit and knock on my door, after me having been peeping though your open (internet) windows and eaves dropping on your fascinating chitty-chats with David Nice, without so much as a hello. That must stop.
One of the things I especially love about Mr Russell's Elgar film, beyond the sheer beauty of the visuals, is that it is so infused with the youthful, almost innocent, joy of film making, and that this spirit of inspired creation so appropriately illuminates Sir Edward Elgar himself.
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