A wonderful, unforgettable, surrealistic scene that is delightfully way over the top. I only wish this clip had shown Richard Chamberlain's pose at the end of the scene--where he perfectly blends into the real statue of Tchaikovsky--holding up his baton in the middle of winter with nobody around. Brilliant filmmaking from Ken Russell.
I'm glad I still have my laserdisc of this incredible film! It's among several Ken Russell films that deserves a DVD release, including THE DEVILS, THE BOYFRIEND and SAVAGE MESSIAH.
I remember Glenda Jackson's performance in this - she was totally captivating - particularly during the sequences when she descends into insanity. I must have seen this about 20 years ago and I've never forgotten it. That surely is a testament to the film's lasting appeal...
Yes! I remember when they had a "Russellfest" in the 90's, people were lined up around the block for "Altered States" but there were only a few of us for "Savage Messiah," which he offered (at least at the time) as being one of his personal favorites and the film was certainly an example of his more subtle abilities...and a hell of a film. His work was always original, inexhaustible and prolific and just too unique for the general public I guess.
This proves so much--That Ken Russell is brilliant, and that he is also completely, certifiably insane. I saw this movie in a revival theater a few years ago and felt more dizzy than when I watched all the Matrix films in one sitting. Awesome!
Amazing that this song became an American tradition every July 4th packed with fireworks. God bless Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops who started that tradition every july 4th since 1974.
Forget Bohemian Rhapsody. This is the first ever pop music video, 1970. Did Ken Russell also here invent the musical montage? As well as Richard Chamberlain and Glenda Jackson, an underrated actor Ken Colley here as Tchaikovsky's brother Modeste (counting up the money and firing the cannon). He went on to play Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian, notably in the Sermon on the Mount scene.
Brilliant. Ken at his best. Tchailovsky here is blowing away his critics. Like many composers he was trashed in the early days. In order to make money he went on gruelling tour as a conductor. Which brought him wealth but no satisfaction as a composer. Pity that no one is prepared to make films about composes now. Ken for a long time has wanted to make a film about Berlioz.
I don't agree, he's an almost unrivaled cinematographer and he fought rabidly against English class conversations the way Lindsay Anderson did. Money or not he's still an incredible artist who is a mint original. Few if any current directors can claim that today.
You can't get the full film anywhere - I've been trying to get one myself for about the last twenty years. God knows why it hasn't been released on DVD.
Whoops - just found out that it is available as a DVD. If you type "The Music Lovers (clip) 1812 overture" into the search box, you can find a link to an online catalogue of rare movies - couldn't tell you what the quality is like though - probably just conversions from VHS..?
Well on the contrary, the excess of Ken Russell's visual and creative forms may be financially bankrupt, but not so in terms of inspiration or popularity! Especially among many filmmakers in the UK and Europe :)
I agree with langbry, Russell always treated his music bio subjects with reality and a harshness. Also Tch. in the Music Lovers was definitely not given the vanity treatment. i think Lisztomania just went to far with stylisim and 70's excess. i did my own tribute to Liszt that you may enjoy ;)
go here to petition Warner Bros to release THE DEVILS uncut: petitiononline(dot)com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?Grandier&151 Has the HELL ON EARTH doco resurfaced anywhere? Want to view that again. That's meant to be on the DVD uncut release too I think
It's about the life of Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), and actually is faithful to the facts of the man's history, despite many stylized flourishes and fanciful interludes such as this, which attempt to telescope relevant details of the biography into a few dynamic moments.
Wish Tim Burton who did Alice in Wonderland relatively brilliantly with Mia Wasikowska,Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman: Would get together with all these actors who loved Ken Russell & arrest his script & casting list for Ken's Alice In Wonderland - The Musical - just APPROVED and BUDGETED before this great Master suddenly died! Ken Russell making Alice In Wonderland is TAILOR-MADE & would be OSCAR material. MUSIC? Interesting too..Maybe Pop/Electro?
@monkynmee57 thx 4 reply. Not sure insane. Rather, had Keith Moon been a DOP, he would be Ken Russell :) I just know, for me, Women In Love, The Music Lovers, The Devils, Mahler, Tommy, Gothic, Lair Of The White Worm, Lisztomania, Valentino were all big influencers on me at school & Art School. His biopic on Henri Gaudier-Brzeska..I remember Savage Messiah name & that Helen Mirren was in it (?) but never saw! I will now! Altered States made me buy a Float Tank ..Think saw rare Isadora Duncan (?)
@@ppuh6tfrz646 Having seen the movie in the 10 years since I made that comment, I'm inclined to agree. Having said that, I did enjoy it. Love Ken Colley.
@@mahler151 I think there was a good film in there somewhere if it had been handled differently. But as I mentioned in another comment on this clip, I think this is a good early example of the ridiculous excess that would typify and ultimately destroy Russell's career. He took things onto a whole new level several years later with Lisztomania and his career never recovered. He ended up shooting feature films in his home on a camcorder. He only had himself to blame.
@monkynmee57 agreed, but disgusted by those now praising Russell, who ignored his portfolio genius. One of my all time schoolkid FAVES woz The Music Lovers. Ken had no F-book ;Twitter or Social Media. Neither did Tchaikovsky. He had a Matriarch supporting GENIUS! Ken Russell had many Matriarchs & MILLIONS of fans adoring VISION that was: Women In Love; The Devis; The Boyfriend; Mahler; Tommy; Gothic; Lair of the White Worm; Whore; ALTERED STATES! Make sequels in Heaven, Ken baby ^_^
Please! I like to take the drugs which have been consumed by the people, who made this movie! Please! Please - and quick! I'm sadly gettin depressed again at the moment ...
This is a good early example of the ridiculous excess that would typify Russell's career. Is it any wonder he was reduced to shooting feature films in his home on a camcorder or making shorts like 'A Kitten For Hitler'?
Wonderful !!!
Ken Russell, one of cinema's greats.
A wonderful, unforgettable, surrealistic scene that is delightfully way over the top. I only wish this clip had shown Richard Chamberlain's pose at the end of the scene--where he perfectly blends into the real statue of Tchaikovsky--holding up his baton in the middle of winter with nobody around. Brilliant filmmaking from Ken Russell.
2:53 - I have completely sold out🤣love Ken Russell’s films
Glenda Jackson: the best performance ever by any actress. She is unbelievable in this movie.
I'm glad I still have my laserdisc of this incredible film! It's among several Ken Russell films that deserves a DVD release, including THE DEVILS, THE BOYFRIEND and SAVAGE MESSIAH.
I remember Glenda Jackson's performance in this - she was totally captivating - particularly during the sequences when she descends into insanity. I must have seen this about 20 years ago and I've never forgotten it. That surely is a testament to the film's lasting appeal...
England and the world needs to honor Ken Russell Big Time. Perhaps a statue in West end would do.
Off the back of this, you gotta be kidding me. This scene is absolutely awful... ok, not as bad as Caligula or Salo... but pretty bad.
Now that is a movie I need to see. Russell is so inspired.
This is far and away the best moment though.
This is my favorite sequence in The Music Lovers. Pure Ken Russell!
RIP Ken Russell,1927-2011.
Yes! I remember when they had a "Russellfest" in the 90's, people were lined up around the block for "Altered States" but there were only a few of us for "Savage Messiah," which he offered (at least at the time) as being one of his personal favorites and the film was certainly an example of his more subtle abilities...and a hell of a film. His work was always original, inexhaustible and prolific and just too unique for the general public I guess.
Ken Russell - never short of energy!
This proves so much--That Ken Russell is brilliant, and that he is also completely, certifiably insane. I saw this movie in a revival theater a few years ago and felt more dizzy than when I watched all the Matrix films in one sitting. Awesome!
I hope he went out like this. Raise a glass to the Master!!!! 1927 - 2011
I Love this film. Thanks for the video clip. Hoping it will come out on DVD soon.
Amazing that this song became an American tradition every July 4th packed with fireworks. God bless Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops who started that tradition every july 4th since 1974.
Forget Bohemian Rhapsody. This is the first ever pop music video, 1970. Did Ken Russell also here invent the musical montage?
As well as Richard Chamberlain and Glenda Jackson, an underrated actor Ken Colley here as Tchaikovsky's brother Modeste (counting up the money and firing the cannon). He went on to play Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian, notably in the Sermon on the Mount scene.
Brilliant. Ken at his best.
Tchailovsky here is blowing away his critics. Like many composers he was trashed in the early days.
In order to make money he went on gruelling tour as a conductor. Which brought him wealth but no satisfaction as a composer.
Pity that no one is prepared to make films about composes now. Ken for a long time has wanted to make a film about Berlioz.
I don't agree, he's an almost unrivaled cinematographer and he fought rabidly against English class conversations the way Lindsay Anderson did. Money or not he's still an incredible artist who is a mint original. Few if any current directors can claim that today.
Remarkable man ahead of his time
Ken Russell and proof of his genius!!
Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can't get the full film anywhere - I've been trying to get one myself for about the last twenty years. God knows why it hasn't been released on DVD.
Wow
Please....Burton? He's not fit to shine Ken Russell's shoes.
Hilarious. I loved it.
Brilliant. Ken Russell is British film.
Brilliant !
Whoops - just found out that it is available as a DVD. If you type "The Music Lovers (clip) 1812 overture" into the search box, you can find a link to an online catalogue of rare movies - couldn't tell you what the quality is like though - probably just conversions from VHS..?
best bells all time
I agree with you here mate.
KEN RUSSEL IS BRILLIANT
Whoa! Incredible!
Well on the contrary, the excess of Ken Russell's visual and creative forms may be financially bankrupt, but not so in terms of inspiration or popularity! Especially among many filmmakers in the UK and Europe :)
I agree with langbry, Russell always treated his music bio subjects with reality and a harshness. Also Tch. in the Music Lovers was definitely not given the vanity treatment. i think Lisztomania just went to far with stylisim and 70's excess.
i did my own tribute to Liszt that you may enjoy ;)
go here to petition Warner Bros to release THE DEVILS uncut: petitiononline(dot)com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?Grandier&151
Has the HELL ON EARTH doco resurfaced anywhere? Want to view that again. That's meant to be on the DVD uncut release too I think
I ask again: which sort of drugs causes such phantasies as shown in this film?
What is this movie about? It looks kind a cool.
It's about the life of Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), and actually is faithful to the facts of the man's history, despite many stylized flourishes and fanciful interludes such as this, which attempt to telescope relevant details of the biography into a few dynamic moments.
where can i watch this film online
happy 82 birthday ken, as of the 3rd of July. i want you to film my life story. seriously.
Awesome ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Wish Tim Burton who did Alice in Wonderland relatively brilliantly with Mia Wasikowska,Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman: Would get together with all these actors who loved Ken Russell & arrest his script & casting list for Ken's Alice In Wonderland - The Musical - just APPROVED and BUDGETED before this great Master suddenly died! Ken Russell making Alice In Wonderland is TAILOR-MADE & would be OSCAR material. MUSIC? Interesting too..Maybe Pop/Electro?
@monkynmee57 thx 4 reply. Not sure insane. Rather, had Keith Moon been a DOP, he would be Ken Russell :) I just know, for me, Women In Love, The Music Lovers, The Devils, Mahler, Tommy, Gothic, Lair Of The White Worm, Lisztomania, Valentino were all big influencers on me at school & Art School. His biopic on Henri Gaudier-Brzeska..I remember Savage Messiah name & that Helen Mirren was in it (?) but never saw! I will now! Altered States made me buy a Float Tank ..Think saw rare Isadora Duncan (?)
This is a freaking parody but very entertaining...hhahahaha
This'd probably make much more sense if I saw the rest of the movie up to this point...
Actually, it wouldn't.
@@ppuh6tfrz646 Having seen the movie in the 10 years since I made that comment, I'm inclined to agree. Having said that, I did enjoy it. Love Ken Colley.
@@mahler151 I think there was a good film in there somewhere if it had been handled differently.
But as I mentioned in another comment on this clip, I think this is a good early example of the ridiculous excess that would typify and ultimately destroy Russell's career.
He took things onto a whole new level several years later with Lisztomania and his career never recovered.
He ended up shooting feature films in his home on a camcorder.
He only had himself to blame.
lol reminds me of "The Goodies"
@Messylin I like your comment
Para mi, debe representar el escape de su funeral o de su matrimonio. Escogencia al gusto.
:-)
That would have been great :D
@Pfaffenfresser1 Mahler, Elgar, Liszt, vintage films, sex , baby making, good food and champagne. Those are Ken's drugs!
And Catholicism Ken overdoses on that!
wtf did i just see
@monkynmee57 agreed, but disgusted by those now praising Russell, who ignored his portfolio genius. One of my all time schoolkid FAVES woz The Music Lovers. Ken had no F-book ;Twitter or Social Media. Neither did Tchaikovsky. He had a Matriarch supporting GENIUS! Ken Russell had many Matriarchs & MILLIONS of fans adoring VISION that was: Women In Love; The Devis; The Boyfriend; Mahler; Tommy; Gothic; Lair of the White Worm; Whore; ALTERED STATES! Make sequels in Heaven, Ken baby ^_^
Yea mr
Hard to believe that this was a somewhat serious movie after this part...
เพลงมาร์ช วทอ25
wtf??
Please! I like to take the drugs which have been consumed by the people, who made this movie! Please! Please - and quick! I'm sadly gettin depressed again at the moment ...
This is a good early example of the ridiculous excess that would typify Russell's career.
Is it any wonder he was reduced to shooting feature films in his home on a camcorder or making shorts like 'A Kitten For Hitler'?