FiLmS Full: Lisztomania (1975) Ken Russel

Lisztomania (1975)

Genre: Biography | Comedy | Fantasy | Musical
Director: Ken Russel
Country: UK
Language: English
Subtitles: none
Aspect Ratio: Cinemascope 2.35:1
Length: 101mn
File: Dvdrip Xvid Avi - 672x288 - 25fps - 1.09gb

Starring:
Roger Daltrey ... Franz Liszt
Ringo Starr ... The Pope
Rick Wakeman ... Thor
Paul Nicholas ... Richard Wagner
Fiona Lewis ... Marie d'Agoult
Andrew Faulds ... Strauss
Ken Parry ... Rossini
Kenneth Colley ... Frederic Chopin
Oliver Reed ... Princess Carolyn's Servant

Description:
A send-up of the bawdy life of Romantic composer/piano virtuoso Franz Liszt, with ubiquitous phallic imagery and a good portion of the film devoted to Liszt's "friendship" with fellow composer Richard Wagner. The film begins during the time when Franz would give piano performance to a crowd of shrieking teenage fans while maintaining affairs with his (multiple!) mistresses. He eventually seeks Princess Carolyne of St. Petersburg (at her invitation), elopes, and, after their marriage is forbidden by the Pope, he embraces the monastic life as an abbé.

It is hard to believe that Ken Russell was able to get this one "green-lighted" for release by a major American distributer as it is quite simply one of the strangest films to ever grace a screen! Russell, ever the visionary, takes the not so off-target view that Franz Liszt the pop star of his day and then offers viewers a comic book version of the composer's life and relationship with several infamous women and, most importantly, Richard Wagner. This film must be seen to be believed! And is a definite must-see for all Russell fans. It will also be appreciated by Roger Daltrey fans as this one captures Daltrey in his prime! Interesting musical work by Rick Wakeman and great set designs.

Where else are you going to find a movie about famous composers, Frankenstein, Thor, Hitler, Superman, a lich, cigars, vampires, philosophy, perversion, papacy, war, love, Charlie Chaplin, and heaven? And where else will you see a penis kick line? This movie removes the need for mind-altering drugs. Seeing it is a trip unto itself.

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073298/