Dance of the Seven Veils

Russell’s composer biopics were usually labours of love. This was the opposite: he regarded Strauss’s music as 'bombastic, sham and hollow', and despised the composer for claiming to be apolitical while cosying up to the Nazi regime. Strauss is depicted in a variety of grotesquely caricatured situations: attacked by nuns after adopting Nietzsche’s philosophy, duels with jealous husbands, literally batters his critics into submission with his music, and glorifies the women in his life and fantasies.

Director: Ken Russell

Cast: Christopher Gable, Judith Paris, Kenneth Colley, James Mellor, Vladek Sheybal, Imogen Claire, Sally Bryant, Maggy Maxwell

Audience-only score — full critic data not yet in the ReelXO vault.