The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner

Just found this on an old VHS, and re-watched it with great pleasure. Evidently made on a shoestring budget, but Russell made the best of that by finding evocative locations (in the UK) and keeping the furnishings for the interior shots (bathroom, bedroom etc) stylishly minimalist. And he gets a big thumbs-up from me for choosing the idiosyncratic but passionate Jochum performances of the symphonies for the soundtrack.

Despite all the brickbats, Russell's musical biopics - for me - are genuinely deeply felt portrayals by someone who really loves and understands the music. This one deserves to be better known. How will posterity regard this quirky but lovable director?

The 'strange affliction' is Bruckner's obsession with numbers. He counts everything around him ceaselessly and has been packed off to a late 19th century sanatorium for a treatment of cold baths and TLC. Catherine Neilson is totally delicious as the nurse and I am totally in love with her. What has happened to her? her IMDB filmography stops in 1993. The inimitable Ken Russell has a talent for finding the most gorgeous women (if you exclude Glenda Jackson) - think of Amanda Donohoe in Lair of the White Worm. Bruckner is one of the great composers and the soundtrack, featuring his symphonies, string quintet and Te Deum is an inspiration. Forget Mahler. This is a beautiful film and very moving.