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With Jupiter in the equation,
the amplification of the "normal" Uranus opposite Uranus must have been tremendous
for Russell—and, indeed, its impact lasted arguably for the rest of his filmmaking
career.
With Pluto now in
the mix, Russell's subject matter and themes became more taboo, more controversial,
some would say more perverse. The effects of Pluto's impact could be seen
in Russell's The Music Lovers, a biopic on the composer Tchaikovsky
released at that time. Russell chose to focus on Tchaikovsky's sexual
repression and the damage that it did to his personality and his relationships.
Scenes of sexual frustration and manipulation were graphic and intense--very
Plutonic themes.
A more fuller expression
of the Plutonic could be seen in Russell's The Devils, released
in 1971 at the exact Pluto opposition to natal Jupiter-Uranus. Everything
about this movie suggests the Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto combination that Russell
was undergoing.
Religious mania,
abuse of power, torture, decay, deformity, sexual repression and liberation—Pluto
themes--are all vividly, if not shockingly, put on display—it was
(almost) universally despised at the time of its release.
In hindsight, Many
now consider The Devils to be Russell's masterpiece. This is certainly
Russell's most intense motion picture and not for the squeamish. It is
horrifying not only in content and realization, but it is horrifying because
it so accurately captures the most depraved, most base, shadow side of
humanity.
Russell continued
to experiment and develop the style and subject matter he explored in
The Devils with his other films in the early seventies. Although
Russell gained a small but vocal fanbase, success on a large scale eluded
him. Critics were unduly unfair
to Russell, often portraying him as an amateurish provocateur with no reason
to be directing feature films.
However, commercial
and critical success were to come with the release of Tommy. Interestingly,
just as Tommy was released in late March 1975, transiting Jupiter
was conjuncting Russell's natal Jupiter-Uranus conjunction. Jupiter transits
are known for granting success or removing obstacles that have remained
a hindrance. With "Tommy," Russell finally received the critical attention
and support he deserved.
Fans of The Who flocked
to see the wedding of Townsend's rock opera with Russell's imagination
and were thoroughly impressed. Jupiter-Uranus transits are also associated
with major stylistic innovations in films—Tommy was no exception.
In many ways Tommy can be considered the first music video, predating
MTV by some five years. The visual effects and style of Tommy were
appropriated en masse by fledging video directors working in the early
eighties.
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