Ken Russell obituary

Ken Russell

Our members will be sad to have heard of the death of one of our IAC Patrons. Film Director Ken Russell passed away in hospital on Sunday November 27, 2011 at the age of 84 following a series of strokes.

Ken Russell had been an IAC Patron since November 1989 and attended our AGM weekend at Grange over Sands in 1990 where I, as President, had the pleasure of being host to he and his 2nd wife, and their son Rupert, for the day.

Some twenty two years later, IAC North West are again staging the AGM weekend at the same hotel and it had been hoped originally,that Ken Russell would be able to attend but we had known for some that this would not be possible.

For most amateurs, Ken Russell was first known when he was himself an amateur and when he made a charming film called Amelia and the Angel in 1959.

In his professional career Ken Russell was known for his pioneering work in television and film but he had various other occupations before settling into film. He had been in the army, a still photographer, a dancer...all before his long history of film making.

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.

He is best known for his Oscar-winning film Women in Love (1969), The Devils (1971), The Who's Tommy (1975), and the science fiction film Altered States (1980).

Classical musicians and conductors held him in high regard for his story-driven biopics of various composers, most famously Elgar, Delius, Liszt, Mahler and Tchaikovsky.

In all, Ken Russell was involved in some 169 film and TV productions.

We express our sympathy to Ken's family. We will all miss this unique personality.

Gerald Mee

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