Elgar

'As Ken Russell's acclaimed 1962 documentary shows, Elgar's life was a roller coaster of ups and downs, reflecting the contours of the Malvern Hills to which he would ... more >

'As Ken Russell's acclaimed 1962 documentary shows, Elgar's life was a roller coaster of ups and downs, reflecting the contours of the Malvern Hills to which he would always return when in need of spiritual solace. It took a long time for England to recognise this composer's brilliance, and in fact it was in Germany that his talent was first appreciated. It was ironic then that the melody that became Elgar's most famous composition - Land of
Hope and Glory - turned into literally a second national anthem for Britain during the First World War. Elgar loved Germany, and yet here was his piece being used as a marching song for the soldiers fighting the Germans. The
composer also disapproved of the words - not his - which he felt were too pompous and overblown.

The film is also as much a tribute to Elgar's wife Alice, who nurtured her beloved's talent through the most trying of times. Unable to afford manuscript paper after their ill-fortuned trip to London, Alice wrote out by
hand scroll for her husband to write on, and slowly his genius unfolded.
The beauty of the Worcestershire countryside is another great theme in this film, and for anyone who has trodden the Malvern peaks it is easy to understand just why Elgar returned here again and again - the only place in
which he felt truly alive and where he professed all his best compositions were dreamt up.
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View all 10 of Jamie Smith’s reviews

Russell's film is a sensitive portrait of the rise of a young musician from a relatively poor background to international fame, as well as being Russell's own tribute ... more >

Russell's film is a sensitive portrait of the rise of a young musician from a relatively poor background to international fame, as well as being Russell's own tribute to music he loved. The film also heralded the revival of interest in Elgar's music and the rehabilitation of his reputation as England's greatest composer since Purcell.
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View all 3 of bfi’s reviews

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DVD Extras

• Audio commentary by Michael Kennedy and Ken Russell
• footage of Elgar at the Three Choirs Festival
• live recording of Land of Hope and Glory
• stills gallery.

Film Details

Technical Details