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"The Devils" is typical Russell faire |
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If we add up these particular
combinations of Russell's chart, we accurately describe the themes and stylistic
conventions consistently seen throughout Russell's career as filmmaker.
Film after film, Russell explored themes of sexual repression or exploitation, coercive
use of power, questions of ultimate concern,
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and the nature of obsession (Sun-Pluto themes)
by means of highly imaginative, lushly beautiful (Venus-Moon-Neptune)
scenes that were often excessively shocking and indulgent(Jupiter-Uranus).
One must only think of
the vivid hallucination sequences from Altered States, the campy surreality
of Tommy, or the horrifying visuals of The Devils to think of
scenes that most immediately conjure up Russell's trademark visual flair.
Taking quotes from film
reviews we get a richer sense of how these planetary qualities shine through
Russell's filmmaking: "Delights in outraging our sensibilities."(Jupiter-Uranus)
"Crazy pursuit of novelty (Jupiter-Uranus) decadence and death."(Sun-Pluto)
"Erratic (Jupiter-Uranus) and erotic spasms of ugliness."(Sun-Pluto) "Russell
[uses] his swollen imagination (Jupiter-Uranus and Neptune-Moon-Venus) to
create a gaudy landscape (Jupiter-Uranus)full of vulgar, self-loathing characters and images
of decay and corruption." (Sun-Pluto)
Or Perhaps the best quote
of all: "Ken Russell is the sort of filmmaker who could turn a home movie
about a tow-headed cherub's fifth birthday into a romp through Sodom and Gomorrah."
The reviewer remarking on Russell's ability to take any subject matter and
"Pluto-fy" it through use of his imagination (Neptune-Venus-Moon)
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