Variations on a Mechanical Theme
1959 · 11 min · ★ 7.0 · Documentary
An illustration of various mechanical instruments, from the musical-box to 1950s electronica.
Directed by Ken Russell · Written by Alex Atkinson
Your Rating
Cast
- F Frank Duncan Voice
Make it a double feature
26m togetherBoth from Ken Russell.
More from Ken RussellSee all →
Agatha Christie's Marple · 2004Agatha Christie's Marple
★ 7.82004
SeriesDramaCrime
The adventures of Miss Jane Marple, an elderly spinster living in the quiet little village of St Mary Mead. During her many visits to friends and relatives in other villages, Miss Marple often stumbles upon mysterious murders which she helps solve. Although the police are sometimes reluctant to accept Miss Marple's help, her reputation and unparalleled powers of observation eventually win them over.
Twiggy · 2025Twiggy
★ 7.62025
MovieDocumentary
Twiggy takes a comprehensive look at the life story of UK model and cultural icon Twiggy, real name Lesley Lawson, whose career kickstarted in the 1960s. It features interviews with Twiggy and her husband Leigh Lawson, as well as commentary from Erin O’Connor, Paul McCartney, Lulu, Poppy Delavigne, Brooke Shields, Pattie Boyd and Zandra Rhodes.
The Devils · 1971The Devils
★ 7.51971
MovieDramaHistory
In 1634 France, charismatic Father Urbain Grandier becomes the target of a sexually obsessed nun’s witchcraft accusations, which corrupt church and state officials are all too happy to exploit.
Monitor · 1958Monitor
★ 7.31958
SeriesDocumentary
Monitor was a BBC arts programme that was launched on 2 February 1958 and ran until 1965.
Huw Wheldon was the first editor from 1958 to 1965. He was also the principal interviewer and anchor. Wheldon set about moulding a team of talents, including John Schlesinger, Ken Russell, Patrick Garland, David Jones, Humphrey Burton, John Berger, Peter Newington, Melvyn Bragg, Nancy Thomas and Alan Tyrer. Monitor ranged in subject over all the arts.
Wheldon's Monitor lasted until he had "interviewed everyone I am interested in interviewing", and he was succeeded by Jonathan Miller for the series' last season.
Waking the Dead · 2001Waking the Dead
★ 7.22001
SeriesCrimeMystery
A detective team apply new techniques to old crimes as they solve cold cases.
Mahler · 1974Mahler
★ 6.81974
MovieDramaMusic
Famed composer Gustav Mahler reflects on the tragedies of his life and failing marriage while traveling by train.
Antonio Gaudí · 1961Antonio Gaudí
★ 6.71961
MovieTV MovieDocumentary
A study of Antoni Gaudí's architecture, his sources of inspiration and his influence on Picasso.
Altered States · 1980Altered States
★ 6.71980
MovieHorrorScience Fiction
A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of human consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from Native American shamans, he explores these altered states of cognizance and finds that memory, time, and reality itself are states of mind.
Women in Love · 1969Women in Love
★ 6.61969
MovieDramaRomance
Growing up in the sheltered confines of a 1920s English coal-mining community, free-spirited sisters Gudrun and Ursula explore erotic love with a wealthy playboy and a philosophical educator, with cataclysmic results for all four.
The Music Lovers · 1971The Music Lovers
★ 6.51971
MovieDramaMusic
Composer, conductor and teacher Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky struggles against his homosexual tendencies by marrying, but unfortunately, he chooses wacky nymphomaniac Nina, whom he is unable to satisfy.
Tommy · 1975Tommy
★ 6.51975
MovieDramaMusic
After a series of traumatic childhood events, a psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind boy becomes a master pinball player and the object of a religious cult.
The Boy Friend · 1971The Boy Friend
★ 6.41971
MovieMusicComedy
When the leading lady of a low-budget musical revue sprains her ankle, the assistant stage manager is forced to understudy and perform in her place.
Savage Messiah · 1972Savage Messiah
★ 6.41972
MovieDrama
In the Paris of the 1910s, brash young sculptor Henri Gaudier begins a creative partnership with an older writer, Sophie Brzeska. Though the couple is 20 years apart in age, Gaudier finds that his untamed work is complemented by the older woman's cultural refinement. He then moves to London with Brzeska, where he falls in with a group of avant-garde artists. There, Gaudier encounters yet another artistic muse in passionate suffragette Gosh Boyle.
Crimes of Passion · 1984Crimes of Passion
★ 6.31984
MovieCrimeDrama
Fashion designer Joanna Crane leads a double life. By night she is China Blue, a prostitute who's attracted the attention of a sexually frustrated private detective, and a psychopathic priest in possession of a murderous sex toy.
Lady Chatterley · 1993Lady Chatterley
★ 6.31993
SeriesDrama
After a crippling injury leaves her husband impotent, Lady Chatterly is torn between her love for her husband and her physical desires. With her husband's consent, she seeks out other means of fulfilling her needs.
Salome's Last Dance · 1988Salome's Last Dance
★ 6.21988
MovieDrama
London, England, November 5th, 1892, Guy Fawkes Night. The famous playwright Oscar Wilde and his lover Lord Alfred Douglas discreetly go to a luxury brothel where the owner, Alfred Taylor, has prepared a surprise for the renowned author: a private and very special performance of his play Salome, banned by the authorities, in which Taylor himself and the peculiar inhabitants of the exclusive establishment will participate.
More Like This
Couldn't load this row right now.
