This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of Ken Russell Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1966)
8
4
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
8
4
Starring:
Murray Melvin, Peter Bowles, Vivian Pickles, Alexei Jawdokimov
Directed By:
Ken Russell
2. Savage Messiah (1972)
9
5
Savage Messiah
R
9
5
Starring:
Helen Mirren, Michael Gough, Dorothy Tutin, Scott Antony
Directed By:
Ken Russell
3. Tommy (1975)
33
17
Tommy
PG
33
17

Tommy is a satirical musical drama film which tells the story of a young boy who receives a terrible shock after seeing his stepfather murder his father over an argument. This makes him psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind. However, when he stumbles upon a pinball machine, his life takes a turn as he turns out to be a natural prodigy in the game. He soon becomes a champion and starts attracting a religious following.

Directed By:
Ken Russell
4. Salome's Last Dance (1988)
8
5
Salome's Last Dance
R
8
5
Starring:
Glenda Jackson, Stratford Johns, Nickolas Grace, Douglas Hodge
Directed By:
Ken Russell
6. Brothers of the Head (2005)
7
5
Brothers of the Head
7
5
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Tom Sturridge, Jonathan Pryce, James Greene, John Simm, Elizabeth Rider
Directed By:
Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe
8. Colour Me Kubrick: A True...ish Story (2005)
13
8
Colour Me Kubrick: A True...ish Story
13
8
Starring:
John Malkovich, Robert Powell, Tom Allen, Scott Baker, Nick Barber, Angus Barnett
Directed By:
Brian W. Cook
10. The Lair of the White Worm (1988)
20
13
The Lair of the White Worm
R
20
13

A young archaeologist named Angus Flint discover a large and inexplicable skull on a farm owned by two sisters. He soon comes to the conclusion  that the skull belongs to the D’Amp ton Worm, a mythical beast that was slain years ago. However, soon the residents of a nearby town begin to disappear.

Starring:
Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant, Sammi Davis, Amanda Donohoe, Catherine Oxenberg
Directed By:
Ken Russell
11. Gothic (1986)
13
11
Gothic
R
13
11

Gothic

Starring:
Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Timothy Spall, Natasha Richardson
Directed By:
Ken Russell
12. Whore (1991)
8
7
Whore
NC-17
8
7
Starring:
Danny Trejo, Antonio Fargas, Theresa Russell, Benjamin Mouton
Directed By:
Ken Russell
13. Trapped Ashes (2006)
5
5
Trapped Ashes
R
5
5
Starring:
Dick Miller, Henry Gibson, Jayce Bartok, Lara Harris
Directed By:
Ken Russell, Sean S. Cunningham, Joe Dante, John Gaeta
14. Road to Mandalay (1991)
11
1
Road to Mandalay
11
1
Role:
Himself
Starring:
June Codd, Muriel Codd, Rupert Russell
Directed By:
Ken Russell
15. Classic Widows (1995)
10
2
Classic Widows
10
2
Role:
Interviewer
Starring:
Xenia Frankel, Fiona Searle, Bertha Stevens, Susana Walton
Directed By:
Ken Russell
16. Ken Russell's ABC of British Music (1988)
11
2
Ken Russell's ABC of British Music
11
2
Directed By:
Ken Russell
17. The Secret Life of Arnold Bax (1992)
8
2
The Secret Life of Arnold Bax
8
2
Starring:
Glenda Jackson, Kenneth Colley, Hetty Baynes, Melissa Docker
Directed By:
Ken Russell
18. Puzzleface (2011)
8
2
Puzzleface
8
2
Role:
God
Starring:
Rodrigo Gudiño, Denis Bélanger, Rae Matthews, Spookey Ruben
Directed By:
Spookey Ruben
19. Lion's Mouth (2000)
8
3
Lion's Mouth
8
3
Role:
Ken the Clown
Starring:
Diana Laurie, Tulip Junkie, Emma Millions, Nipper
Directed By:
Ken Russell
20. A British Picture (1989)
7
3
A British Picture
7
3
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Melvyn Bragg, Rupert Russell, Molly Russell, Victoria Russell
Directed By:
Ken Russell
21. Ken Russell 'In Search of the English Folk Song' (1997)
7
3
Ken Russell 'In Search of the English Folk Song'
7
3
Role:
Presenter
Starring:
Bob Appleyard, Eliza Carthy, Waterson Carthy, Chris While and Band The Albion
Directed By:
Ken Russell
22. The Aristofrogs (2010)
6
3
The Aristofrogs
6
3
Starring:
Seymour Cassel, Stacy Keach, Deborah Twiss, Ryan O'Callaghan
Directed By:
Douglas Buck, Ben Bernschneider, Jan Hendrik Drevs
23. Zero (2011)
6
3
Zero
6
3
Starring:
Amar Adatia, Tolu Agunbiande, Kingsley Barker, Katharine Blackshaw
Directed By:
David Barrouk
24. Revenge of the Elephant Man (2004)
5
3
Revenge of the Elephant Man
5
3
Starring:
Lisi Tribble
Directed By:
Ken Russell
25. A Kitten for Hitler (2007)
4
5
A Kitten for Hitler
4
5
Role:
Santa Claus
Starring:
Rusty Goffe, Phil Pritchard, Rufus Graham, Rosey Thewlis
Directed By:
Ken Russell
26. Tales of Erotica (1996)
3
4
Tales of Erotica
R
3
4
Starring:
Aida Turturro, Mira Sorvino, Arliss Howard, Ruth Maleczech, Sharon Angela, Richard Barboza
Directed By:
Melvin Van Peebles, Ken Russell, Bob Rafelson, Susan Seidelman
27. The Fall of the Louse of Usher: A Gothic Tale for the 21st Century (2002)
3
4
The Fall of the Louse of Usher: A Gothic Tale for the 21st Century
3
4
Role:
Dr. Calahari
Starring:
Lesley Nunnerley, James Johnston, Lisi Tribble, Marie Findley
Directed By:
Ken Russell

Director

Road to Mandalay (1991)
11
1
Road to Mandalay
11
1
Starring:
June Codd, Muriel Codd, Rupert Russell
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Alice in Russialand (1995)
10
2
Alice in Russialand
10
2
Starring:
Hetty Baynes, Amanda Ray-King
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Classic Widows (1995)
10
2
Classic Widows
10
2
Starring:
Xenia Frankel, Fiona Searle, Bertha Stevens, Susana Walton
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Il Mefistofele (1989)
9
2
Il Mefistofele
9
2
Starring:
Paata Burchuladze, Ottavio Garaventa, Adriana Morelli, Silvana Mazzieri, Fabio Armiliato
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Ken Russell's ABC of British Music (1988)
9
2
Ken Russell's ABC of British Music
9
2
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The Planets (1983)
9
2
The Planets
9
2
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The Secret Life of Arnold Bax (1992)
8
2
The Secret Life of Arnold Bax
8
2
Starring:
Glenda Jackson, Kenneth Colley, Hetty Baynes, Melissa Docker
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The Devils (1971)
35
10
The Devils
R
35
10

The Devils is a historical horror drama film which tells the story of Father Grandier, a priest who wants to protect his city from Cardinal Richelieu, and his corrupt establishment. When Grandier becomes an obstacle to the latter’s plans, he is accused of being a Satanist who practices witchcraft.

Starring:
Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed, Max Adrian, Dudley Sutton, Gemma Jones
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner (1990)
8
2
The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner
8
2
Starring:
Catherine Neilson, Carsten Norgaard, Peter Mackriel
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The Mystery of Dr Martinu (1993)
8
3
The Mystery of Dr Martinu
8
3
Starring:
Tamzin Outhwaite, Patrick Ryecart, Mac McDonald, Shauna Baird, Martin Friend
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Lion's Mouth (2000)
8
3
Lion's Mouth
8
3
Starring:
Diana Laurie, Tulip Junkie, Emma Millions, Nipper
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Treasure Island (1995)
8
3
Treasure Island
8
3
Starring:
Michael Elphick, Hetty Baynes, Charles Augins, Gregory Hall, Osmund Bullock
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Elgar: Fantasy of a Composer on a Bicycle (2002)
7
3
Elgar: Fantasy of a Composer on a Bicycle
7
3
Directed By:
Ken Russell
A House in Bayswater (1960)
7
3
A House in Bayswater
7
3

Directed by noted British film director Ken Russell, this documentary short film is about an apartment building in Bayswater where Ken once used to live. The film was made as the building was being demolished to make way for an office, which is bland and unattractive.   

Starring:
James Burr, Elizabeth Collins, Margaret Ann Croft, David Hurn, Louisa May Laden
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1966)
8
3
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
8
3
Starring:
Murray Melvin, Peter Bowles, Vivian Pickles, Alexei Jawdokimov
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Women in Love (1969)
19
7
Women in Love
R
19
7

Gerald and Rupert are best friends, and they both fall for two sisters, Gudrun and Ursula. While Rupert marries Ursula, Gerald begins a relationship with Gudrun. After some time, they decide to go on a honeymoon to Switzerland, but their relationships begin to go in different directions. Rupert and Ursula give themselves to one another, while Gerald is not able to commit fully to Gudrun.

Starring:
Glenda Jackson, Oliver Reed, Alan Bates, Eleanor Bron, Jennie Linden
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The Music Lovers (1971)
11
5
The Music Lovers
R
11
5
Starring:
Richard Chamberlain, Glenda Jackson, Max Adrian, Kenneth Colley, Christopher Gable
Directed By:
Ken Russell
A British Picture (1989)
7
3
A British Picture
7
3
Starring:
Melvyn Bragg, Rupert Russell, Molly Russell, Victoria Russell
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Ken Russell 'In Search of the English Folk Song' (1997)
7
3
Ken Russell 'In Search of the English Folk Song'
7
3
Starring:
Bob Appleyard, Eliza Carthy, Waterson Carthy, Chris While and Band The Albion
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Mahler (1974)
11
5
Mahler
PG
11
5
Starring:
Robert Powell, Oliver Reed, Lee Montague, Georgina Hale, Miriam Karlin
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Savage Messiah (1972)
9
4
Savage Messiah
R
9
4
Starring:
Helen Mirren, Michael Gough, Dorothy Tutin, Scott Antony
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Altered States (1980)
57
26
Altered States
R
57
26

Altered States is a horror thriller science fiction film which tells the story of Eddie, an unconventional and slightly mad graduate student who conducts experiments on himself using hallucinogenic drugs, in an isolated chamber. Years later, when he is a professor at the Harvard Medical School, he informs two of his colleagues about his experiments, who start to doubt his well- being.  

Starring:
Drew Barrymore, Bob Balaban, Charles Haid, William Hurt, Blair Brown
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The Boy Friend (1971)
11
6
The Boy Friend
G
11
6
Starring:
Twiggy, Glenda Jackson, Max Adrian, Murray Melvin, Bryan Pringle
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Faust (1985)
6
3
Faust
6
3
Starring:
Ruggero Raimondi, Francisco Araiza, Alfred Sramek, Gabriela Benacková, Walton Grönroos
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Tommy (1975)
35
18
Tommy
PG
35
18

Tommy is a satirical musical drama film which tells the story of a young boy who receives a terrible shock after seeing his stepfather murder his father over an argument. This makes him psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind. However, when he stumbles upon a pinball machine, his life takes a turn as he turns out to be a natural prodigy in the game. He soon becomes a champion and starts attracting a religious following.

Starring:
Ann-Margret, Roger Daltrey, Tina Turner, Jack Nicholson, Paul Nicholas, Robert Powell, Oliver Reed
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Prisoner of Honor (1991)
7
4
Prisoner of Honor
PG
7
4
Starring:
Richard Dreyfuss, Brian Blessed, Oliver Reed, Jeremy Kemp, Peter Firth
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Amelia and the Angel (1958)
6
3
Amelia and the Angel
6
3

Amelia and the Angel is a short film which tells the story of a young girl named Amelia, who loses the wings which she was supposed to wear in her school play. This fills her with guilt, and she becomes distressed. When she notices an angel walking towards a dark building, she decides to follow him.

Starring:
Mercedes Quadros, Míka van Bloemen, Helen Ulman, E. Collins, Elisha Manasseh
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Salome's Last Dance (1988)
8
4
Salome's Last Dance
R
8
4
Starring:
Glenda Jackson, Stratford Johns, Nickolas Grace, Douglas Hodge
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Crimes of Passion (1984)
15
9
Crimes of Passion
R
15
9

Bobby Grady is a thirty year old married man with two children. He is invited to work at a fashion-design studio, where he meets designer Joanna Crane. He soon discovers that Joanna has a double-life, as she also works as a prostitute in the red light district. He becomes obsessed with her, and thinks that he is in love, after having sex with her. Meanwhile, a preacher is obsessed with Joanna as well, and he stalks her everywhere, believing that her soul needs to be saved.

Starring:
Kathleen Turner, Anthony Perkins, Bruce Davison, Gordon Hunt, Dan Gerrity
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Preservation Man (1962)
5
3
Preservation Man
5
3
Starring:
Bruce Lacey, Barbelle Martin
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The Rainbow (1989)
7
4
The Rainbow
R
7
4
Starring:
Glenda Jackson, David Hemmings, Paul McGann, Amanda Donohoe, Sammi Davis
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Knights on Bikes (1956)
5
3
Knights on Bikes
5
3
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Peepshow (1956)
5
3
Peepshow
5
3
Starring:
Shirley Russell, Thomas Raymond Laden
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Lisztomania (1975)
9
5
Lisztomania
R
9
5
Starring:
Roger Daltrey, Paul Nicholas, Oliver Reed, Ringo Starr, Sara Kestelman
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Valentino (1977)
8
5
Valentino
R
8
5
Starring:
Leslie Caron, Michelle Phillips, John Ratzenberger, Felicity Kendal, Rudolf Nureyev
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Revenge of the Elephant Man (2004)
5
3
Revenge of the Elephant Man
5
3
Starring:
Lisi Tribble
Directed By:
Ken Russell
French Dressing (1964)
5
4
French Dressing
5
4
Starring:
Marisa Mell, James Booth, Roy Kinnear, Bryan Pringle, Alita Naughton
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Billion Dollar Brain (1967)
12
8
Billion Dollar Brain
12
8
Starring:
Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland, Karl Malden, Ed Begley, Oskar Homolka, Françoise Dorléac
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The Lair of the White Worm (1988)
21
14
The Lair of the White Worm
R
21
14

A young archaeologist named Angus Flint discover a large and inexplicable skull on a farm owned by two sisters. He soon comes to the conclusion  that the skull belongs to the D’Amp ton Worm, a mythical beast that was slain years ago. However, soon the residents of a nearby town begin to disappear.

Starring:
Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant, Sammi Davis, Amanda Donohoe, Catherine Oxenberg
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Aria (1987)
8
6
Aria
R
8
6
Starring:
Elizabeth Hurley, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Theresa Russell, Stephanie Lane, Roy Hyatt, Sevilla Delofski
Gothic (1986)
14
11
Gothic
R
14
11

Gothic

Starring:
Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Timothy Spall, Natasha Richardson
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Whore (1991)
9
7
Whore
NC-17
9
7
Starring:
Danny Trejo, Antonio Fargas, Theresa Russell, Benjamin Mouton
Directed By:
Ken Russell
A Kitten for Hitler (2007)
4
4
A Kitten for Hitler
4
4
Starring:
Rusty Goffe, Phil Pritchard, Rufus Graham, Rosey Thewlis
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Women and Men: Stories of Seduction (1990)
4
4
Women and Men: Stories of Seduction
R
4
4
Starring:
James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Kyra Sedgwick, Molly Ringwald, Melanie Griffith, Beau Bridges
Directed By:
The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch (1995)
4
4
The Insatiable Mrs. Kirsch
4
4
Starring:
Simon Shepherd, Hetty Baynes
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Dogboys (1998)
3
4
Dogboys
PG-13
3
4
Starring:
Tia Carrere, Dean Cain, Sean McCann, Ken James, Bryan Brown
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Trapped Ashes (2006)
5
5
Trapped Ashes
R
5
5
Starring:
Dick Miller, Henry Gibson, Jayce Bartok, Lara Harris
Directed By:
Ken Russell, Sean S. Cunningham, Joe Dante, John Gaeta
Tales of Erotica (1996)
3
4
Tales of Erotica
R
3
4
Starring:
Aida Turturro, Mira Sorvino, Arliss Howard, Ruth Maleczech, Sharon Angela, Richard Barboza
Directed By:
Melvin Van Peebles, Ken Russell, Bob Rafelson, Susan Seidelman
The Fall of the Louse of Usher: A Gothic Tale for the 21st Century (2002)
3
4
The Fall of the Louse of Usher: A Gothic Tale for the 21st Century
3
4
Starring:
Lesley Nunnerley, James Johnston, Lisi Tribble, Marie Findley
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Mindbender (1996)
2
4
Mindbender
PG-13
2
4
Starring:
Terence Stamp, Delphine Forest, Hetty Baynes, Ishai Golan, Idan Alterman
Directed By:
Ken Russell

Narrator/Dubbing

The Lair of the White Worm (1988)
9
6
The Lair of the White Worm
R
9
6

A young archaeologist named Angus Flint discover a large and inexplicable skull on a farm owned by two sisters. He soon comes to the conclusion  that the skull belongs to the D’Amp ton Worm, a mythical beast that was slain years ago. However, soon the residents of a nearby town begin to disappear.

Role:
Police Radio (voice) (uncredited)
Starring:
Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant, Sammi Davis, Amanda Donohoe, Catherine Oxenberg
Directed By:
Ken Russell

TV Shows

Waking the Dead
25
7
Waking the Dead
25
7
Starring:
David Walliams, Nicholas Hoult, Carey Mulligan, Stephen Moyer, Corin Redgrave, Iddo Goldberg, Henry Ian Cusick
Directed By:
Robert Knights, Suri Krishnamma, Robert Bierman, Richard Standeven, Ben Bolt
Agatha Christie's Marple
32
9
Agatha Christie's Marple
TV-14
32
9
Starring:
Kelly Brook, Talulah Riley, Nicholas Parsons, Mark Gatiss, Rob Brydon, Martin Kemp, Pam Ferris
Directed By:
Charlie Palmer, Andy Wilson, John Strickland, Tom Shankland, Nicolas Winding Refn
Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore (1992)
8
2
Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore
8
2
Starring:
Michael Crawford, David Essex, Jason Donovan, Michael Ball, José Carreras
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Omnibus
8
3
Omnibus
8
3
Starring:
Anthony Hopkins, Stephen Fry, Terry Gilliam, Kenneth Branagh, Bob Hoskins, Barry Humphries, Ian Holm
Directed By:
Don Taylor, Ken Russell, Robert Vas, Tony Palmer, Leslie Megahey
Sunday Night
7
2
Sunday Night
7
2
Starring:
Alan Bennett, Leo McKern, Tony Church, Roddy Maude-Roxby, Robert Gillespie
Directed By:
Ken Russell, John Boorman
Elton John: Nikita (1985)
7
3
Elton John: Nikita
7
3
Starring:
Elton John, Andreas Wisniewski, Anya Major
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The South Bank Show
0
0
The South Bank Show
0
0
Starring:
Lenny Henry, Alan Bennett, Ian McKellen, Peter Hall, Melvyn Bragg
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Monitor
0
0
Monitor
0
0
Starring:
George C. Scott, James Earl Jones, Oliver Reed, Huw Wheldon, John Berger
Directed By:
John Schlesinger, Ken Russell, Michael Gill, Melvyn Bragg, Peter Newington
Sarah Brightman: Diva - The Video Collection (2006)
0
0
Sarah Brightman: Diva - The Video Collection
0
0
Starring:
José Carreras, Sarah Brightman, Andrea Bocelli, Violet Brightman, Jaz Coleman
Directed By:

Special Appearance/Cameo

Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1966)
8
3
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
8
3
Role:
Captain Patterson (cameo) (uncredited)
Starring:
Murray Melvin, Peter Bowles, Vivian Pickles, Alexei Jawdokimov
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Savage Messiah (1972)
8
4
Savage Messiah
R
8
4
Role:
Passenger Getting Off Train (uncredited)
Starring:
Helen Mirren, Michael Gough, Dorothy Tutin, Scott Antony
Directed By:
Ken Russell
The Aristofrogs (2010)
7
3
The Aristofrogs
7
3
Role:
Self (uncredited)
Starring:
Seymour Cassel, Stacy Keach, Deborah Twiss, Ryan O'Callaghan
Directed By:
Douglas Buck, Ben Bernschneider, Jan Hendrik Drevs
Tommy (1975)
22
11
Tommy
PG
22
11

Tommy is a satirical musical drama film which tells the story of a young boy who receives a terrible shock after seeing his stepfather murder his father over an argument. This makes him psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind. However, when he stumbles upon a pinball machine, his life takes a turn as he turns out to be a natural prodigy in the game. He soon becomes a champion and starts attracting a religious following.

Role:
Cripple (uncredited)
Starring:
Ann-Margret, Roger Daltrey, Tina Turner, Jack Nicholson, Paul Nicholas, Robert Powell, Oliver Reed
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Valentino (1977)
7
4
Valentino
R
7
4
Role:
Rex Ingram (uncredited)
Starring:
Leslie Caron, Michelle Phillips, John Ratzenberger, Felicity Kendal, Rudolf Nureyev
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Gothic (1986)
10
7
Gothic
R
10
7

Gothic

Role:
Tourist (uncredited)
Starring:
Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Timothy Spall, Natasha Richardson
Directed By:
Ken Russell
Whore (1991)
7
5
Whore
NC-17
7
5
Role:
Waiter (uncredited)
Starring:
Danny Trejo, Antonio Fargas, Theresa Russell, Benjamin Mouton
Directed By:
Ken Russell