Georgina Hale in Ken Russell's poetic "Mahler" [1974 UK]

Ken Russell had never been stranger to controversy, he revelled in catching critics and audience off guard. He confounded critics yet again during the peak of his notoriety by making one of his most restrained and poetic of films. Whether or not we are a fan, Ken Russell's "Mahler" - a commentary on Austrian composer Gustav Mahler's life and work, will be seen by many as one of the most imaginative biographies attempted in film.

The first time I even heard of Mahler was through an earlier Visconti classic, "Morte a Venezia" - my ignorance in classical music was deep. "Mahler" went some way in igniting my interest in a music that I hitherto considered bourgeois, thanks largely due to Russell's interpretation. The film however is not just about Gustav Mahler, but also his wife Alma, whose inherent talent was overshadowed by her husband's. The film narrates most of Mahler's life through his reminiscences during a train journey with his wife back to Vienna. His torments and nightmares are shown as a consequence to his single-mindedness, insecurities, jealousy, and guilt.

To say the film is exquisitely made is an understatement. Possibly inspired by the exquisite art direction in the aforementioned Visconti film, Russell goes further by recreating various periods during Mahler's lifetime in meticulous detail. His creative choice of symphonies for passes of play is a result of a deep understanding of the composer and his music. Just as well - if a man knows his composers, it's got to be Ken Russell - he'd already been making films about them for a good many years. The cinematography and particularly the editing couldn't possibly be bettered. The impeccable casting of and performances by Robert Powell and Georgina Hale as Gustav and Alma Mahler respectively are quite impressive and totally engaging - Ms. Hale also won a BAFTA for her efforts. In summary, this is a well-conceived story, beautifully filmed and presented by a gifted director with an image problem. This may not be Ken's finest work (for me it will always be "The Devils"), but is nevertheless a movingly soulful and analytical work from the British master, and therefore Highly Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon DVD Link [PAL]

 

 

Compilation: Georgina Hale and David Collings
The film subject's severity is toned down in places through some outrageously comical sequences, like during Mahler's conversion to Catholicism, and my favourite - Mahler having a nightmare of being cremated alive while Alma, still in mourning robes, flirts with would-be suitors.



Scene Guide:

• Mahler always feared his wife might one day emerge into prominence. In this dream, his insecurities take shape in the form of Alma emerging from a cocoon. Alma is portrayed rather well by Georgina Hale.
• After a period of illness, thoughts about his own death occur frequently - in this instance, he sees Alma as wasting little time in cremating him and choosing a new partner - even before he's actually dead..!
• A brief scene of Mahler visiting friend-composer Hugo in an asylum. Hugo is played by David Collings.

 



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Michelle Phillips & Penelope Milford in "Valentino" [1977 UK/USA]

Ken Russell's 1977 biopic of dancer/silent film star Rudolph Valentino is a mixed bag, artistically speaking - there are flashes of brilliance, while some scenes are rather pedestrian. However, the costumes and art direction contribute heavily towards making this a sumptuous film.

Rudolph Nureyev, playing the eponymous part was perhaps underutilised for the fine dancer that he was - the choreography should have been even more spectacular (baring one number at the beginning of the film which amply displays his virtuosity in Tango). His Italian accent sounded ridiculous - Nureyev is after all Russian. A lot of effort had gone into set design, which is great to look at, but also a bit overdone - which may be because a lot of these were recreations of the Hollywood sets used in the Valentino's original films. I haven't seen any of Rudolph Valentino's films, and therefore unable to verify.

Set in 1920's New York, it follows parts of his career, but focusing mainly on his reputation as the Latin Lover. While 'the Sheik' had enjoyed huge popularity among his female audience, some men thought he was plain gay. He goes out of his way to prove his machismo, which apparently also contributes to his early death - he was only thirty one.

Anyway, the film didn't do much for me, but it has a couple of copious nude scenes involving Michelle Phillips who plays his third wife Natasha, and Penelope Milford who plays Lorna, one of Valentino's co-stars - which is the only reason for this post. The compilation below was cut from my DVD.




Scene Guide:

• Natasha shows Valentino her version of the dance of the seven veils as she beckons him into a tent for some silly conversation. They get married after this. Michelle Philips as Natasha sure is a pretty little thing.
• Valentino follows his wife Natasha's instruction to 'screw the bitch' - his co-star Lorna as part of a PR exercise, which will prove to the world his virility. This is a crazy scene where Penelope 'Bush' Milford throws caution to the wind and gives us an unrestricted view of all her charms.
• There is only brief nudity in this scene where Natasha apparently has had it with Valentino's 'god-like' status, but I've included some additional footage prior to this so that it all makes sense.

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Amanda Donohoe & Sammi Davis in "The Rainbow" [1989 UK]

Ken Russell was one of the more quirky directors in British Cinema - while his recent works have been ordinary, there was a time when he was making rather interesting films. I'm therefore moving backwards with his filmography, starting with his 1989 drama "The Rainbow", which I consider to be his last significant film.

Based on a DH Lawrence novel, "The Rainbow" follows the trials and tribulations of a young lady in early twentieth century England. Even as a precocious child, Ursula had always wanted what isn't possible, like asking her dad for the rainbow one day - and the rainbow remains the constant metaphor through the film. As an adolescent, she catches the attention of her gym teacher Winifred, who becomes Ursula's first love. She does fall in love with a soldier however, and they even get engaged, but soon decides against marriage. Deep down, she hates the idea of leading a conventional life like her mother - instead, she finds contentment by chasing her own rainbow.

Ken Russell's made a fine film from a fine novel. The cinematography is excellent, beautifully capturing the picture-postcard English countryside, and the art direction is superb. You also have Russell's trademark edits and surreal moments - one of which is included in my compilation. The other surreal scene is of Ursula being chased by horses through the countryside. For an introduction to Ken Russell, this is definitely Recommended Viewing.

The compilations below was cut from my decent quality DVD, and I'm thankful they authored it in full frame.




Compilation 1 - Amanda Donohoe and Sammi Davis

1. Ursula is invited by Winifred to her cottage for a swim. And we see she's utterly receptive to Winifred's overtures. Nice piece of lesbianism from a male perspective.
2. Winifred tries to comfort a confused Ursula - her uncle had been making advances on Winifred, and quite successfully too.
3. A surreal scene where Ursula follows Winifred, both naked, through a meadow. She follows her fiancé at first, but changes her mind. Ursula is played by Sammi Davis, and Winifred, by the magnetic Amanda Donohoe.

Compilation 2: Sammi Davis

1. Ursula poses for an artist, who just turns out to be a dirty old man.
2. With Anton, her boyfriend, who proposes to her
3. Ursula is woken up by Winifred and her uncle who had planned a day out.

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