Ken Russell

The Profile

Ken Russell (1927–2011) was a British film director known for flamboyant, controversial, and visually bold cinema, including The Devils, Tommy, and Women in Love.

The Devils starred Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave, with production design by Derek Jarman. The film drew significant controversy and censorship in multiple countries; a more complete version was screened by the BFI in the 2000s. Russell died in 2011.

Two reviews focus on The Devils, praising Russell’s audacious style while detailing decades of censorship. Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave headline a historically grounded, incendiary narrative. Derek Jarman’s production design and the film’s bans, cuts, and elusive complete version recur as key points. Overall sentiment skews positive toward Russell’s vision.