- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: Aurum Press Ltd (25 Jun 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1845133730
- ISBN-13: 978-1845133733
- Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.8 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 580,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Phallic Frenzy: Ken Russell and His Films (Cappella Books)
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Product Description
Review
‘At a certain point in a Ken Russell movie, I always say to myself, “The man is mad”’ Pauline Kael, The New Yorker
Product Description
‘At a certain point in a Ken Russell movie, I always say to myself, “The man is mad”’ Pauline Kael, The New Yorker Ken Russell has made some of the most daring, disturbing and beautifully photographed films of all time. His subjects are astoundingly varied: from deranged 17th-century Ursuline nuns in The Devils to the sexual angst of Tchaikovsky; from the inner demons of Shelley and Byron to a deaf, dumb and blind pinball wizard in Tommy. He is still making films on video, and recently found fame on Channel 4’s Big Brother. This first full biography shows how Russell’s own life has been as vibrant and engaging as his impish film scenarios. It reveals how Alan Bates and Oliver Reed compared their penis sizes for the nude wrestling scene in Women in Love, and how Russell was even originally set to direct Evita, starring Liza Minnelli. Russell has not specifically authorised the book, but has co-operated to the extent of granting an interview and supplying many rare photos. A madcap tale full of wild ideas, surreal situations and a cavalcade of colourful personalities, Phallic Frenzy is as thrilling a ride as any Ken Russell film. Joseph Lanza’s other books include a history of muzak, Elevator Music, and the definitive book on the film-maker Nicolas Roeg, Fragile Geometry.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
Everything you've ever wanted to know about the lover of kitsch and vaudeville imagery but were unable to ask. It functions as a biography of his early years which helps shed light on the reasons for some of his adulthood fixations. Later, it dissects and gives some juicy behind the scenes info on all his films. Film fans will find this latter part of most interest. I had to selectively skip some paragraphs because I've not had the pleasure of viewing certain films yet. Take note: SPOILERS APLENTY IN THIS BOOK.
The biography part charts Ken's (slow) rise from his days quietly challenging the uptight BBC TV system, through his enfant terrible days, and finally to his New Forest films. The book is arranged mostly chronologically which helps understand the progression and reasons for his changing beliefs, and how he integrated them into his filmic works. Whether you find him offensive or seductive is unimportant, you can't deny his auteur status.
Author Lanza rightly identifies that one of Russell's "...strongest metaphors is nature, both its majestic and hidden sides." Watch any of his films and you'll come to the same conclusion. That affinity for nature defines Russell just as much as the religious / sexual imagery that he flaunts. Together, they form something both glorious and vulgar. Like the man himself.
The biography part charts Ken's (slow) rise from his days quietly challenging the uptight BBC TV system, through his enfant terrible days, and finally to his New Forest films. The book is arranged mostly chronologically which helps understand the progression and reasons for his changing beliefs, and how he integrated them into his filmic works. Whether you find him offensive or seductive is unimportant, you can't deny his auteur status.
Author Lanza rightly identifies that one of Russell's "...strongest metaphors is nature, both its majestic and hidden sides." Watch any of his films and you'll come to the same conclusion. That affinity for nature defines Russell just as much as the religious / sexual imagery that he flaunts. Together, they form something both glorious and vulgar. Like the man himself.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Best book yet on this Film Maker
18 Oct 2007
Format:Hardcover
"Phallic Frenzy is the book that was screaming to be written. Lanza does with words what Russell does with imagery. Not an easy task. All with the same tongue-in-cheek, wink-of-an-eye humor."
-- Leonard Pollack, Ken Russell's former stills photographer and costume designer
-- Leonard Pollack, Ken Russell's former stills photographer and costume designer
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Along with A British Picture/Altered States this is the DEFINITIVE Work!
30 Sep 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
A MUST READ FOR KEN RUSSELL FANS!!! This is the ONE. I would recommend this over many of the earlier biographies and if you want information on Ken's recent days this is full of em!
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