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The Music Lovers
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray B - United Kingdom - British Film Institute Review written by and copyright: James-Masaki Ryan (21st July 2024). |
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The Film
 "The Music Lovers" (1971) Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky (played by Richard Chamberlain) makes a drastic change to his life that would ultimately become a dangerous downward spiral. His compositions have created both praise and controversy with people and critics, with some rejoicing in the music's powerful force, while others criticize the stances and tones against conventions. He marries Nina (played by Glenda Jackson) to further his social status, though he is hiding his homosexuality, and his longtime friend and confidant Anton Chiluvsky (played by Christopher Gable) sees this as a betrayal to their personal and professional friendship. While Nina is ecstatic that she has become the wife of a dignified artist, Pyotr is unable to satisfy her sexual urges, and it affects the marriage to a violent breaking point as well as purring a strain on his creativity. Classical music has been a favorite subject of filmmaker Ken Russell whether as documentaries or biopics. He directed "Prokofiev: Portrait of a Soviet Composer" (1961), "Elgar", "The Debussy Film" (1965), "Don't Shoot the Composer", and "Song of Summer: Frederick Delius" (1967) as documentaries for television, and he tended to insert actors playing the parts as reenactment segments to immerse the audiences further than the standard set of vintage photographs and interviews. The works would pave the way for "The Music Lover", a grand biopic of composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, focusing on the later years of his life. Screenwriter Melvyn Bragg previously collaborated with Russell as the writer for the television documentaries "The Debussy Film" and "Always on Sunday", and this would be their first collaboration for a theatrical feature. But as Russell was not a filmmaker to play with conventional rules, the film would not at all be a conventional or even truthful telling of Tchaikovsky's life and career. The film plays in somewhat of a linear form with his relationship with Chiluvsky, his meeting and eventual marriage to Nina and the subsequent physical and mental toll it would take on the couple, it does not flow in a conventional form from A to B in terms of storytelling. There are examples of flashbacks such as a hallucination of his mother's death, an absurdly avant-garde moment of various characters having their heads decapitated by cannon fire, and others at play. Russell also plays with the camera's framing ranging from static and classically composed to handheld and up close claustrophobia courtesy of cinematographer Douglas Slocombe, utilizing the full 2.35:1 ratio with epic crowd scenes and intense emotional rage. Visually the film is as bold as can be, with the period setting of 19th century Russia filled with extraordinary costumes courtesy of Russell's wife Shirley Russell and elegant buildings and settings. The spectacle is at full force in "The Music Lovers", and this also goes to the music, which had Tchaikovsky's music performed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by André Previn. Although Chamberlain in fact could play the piano, the piano segments were performed by famed pianist Rafael Orozco. Chamberlain's grace with music was a key factor to the realism when his fingers were on screen, and that extends to the scenes of him waving his baton gracefully in concert sequences. His performance as Tchaikovsky is filled with secrets within and his anxiety over his decisions in life, while they are also filled with joy when he is playing music. Glenda Jackson won an Academy Award for Best Actress for Russell's feature "Women in Love" in a powerful performance, and her performance as the wife who spirals into obsession, frustration, and madness is a dangerously complex role, as hints of her eventual institutionalized state as slowly peeled in sexually forceful situations as she tries and fails to take control. While there is truth to the matter of Tchaikovsky hiding his homosexuality and his marriage was a failure, it seemingly takes quite some time showcasing the two being together in unhappy times without consummation, though in reality the couple were only together for less than three months until he left her, though they never actually divorced which had a complex legal battle over the years which the film does not go into. There is also the point of Nina being institutionalized in the film, which did happen in reality but was not during Tchaikovsky's lifetime as the film suggests. There is a lot of fiction at play and Russell was absolutely interested in the emotional toll with what may or may not have been, rather than sticking to a story that played solely on facts. In the end the result of "The Music Lovers" is heavy on style and over the top excess, with sometimes outlandish and vulgar displays on screen for audiences. Ones looking for what truly happened between Tchaikovsky and his wife will not find true answers here, but for fans of Russell's works and his love for the grandiose with genuine love for the music, it is all here in beautiful glory. Russell was able to make "The Music Lovers" due to his critical and commercial success of the controversial "Women in Love" from 1969 by United Artists, who then financed "The Music Lovers". The film was in production from 1969 to 1970 and was originally going to be titled simply "Tchaikovsky", though a Russian film which was also a biopic of the composer was released in 1970 under that title, so it was temporarily changed to "The Lonely Heart", before settling on "The Music Lovers", or "Ken Russell's Film on Tchaikovsky and The Music Lovers" as it was fully titled on the opening credits. The $1.6 million budget film was about the same cost of "Women in Love". The film premiered on January 24th, 1971 in New York, followed by a general theatrical release in American in February and the UK theatrical release on February 25th, 1971. It was a hugely divisive film with some praising its creativity and others criticizing its untruthful and wildly excessive state. The film is excessive and not a biopic dealing with the truth, yet it is also highly enjoyable as an artistic piece even though there are some weaknesses in the emotional drama. It was not a major awards contender and of the three feature films that were released that year by the busy Ken Russell, it was not the most successful, nor was it even the most controversial. "The Devils", released a few months later would prove to be one of the most controversial films ever made and was a major box office hit (even though it was banned or censored in a number of countries) and the musical comedy "The Boy Friend" released at the end of the year, which producers EMI-MGM shortened the film by 25 minutes for commercial appeal, but was not a major hit regardless. (The film was restored in 1987 with the cut 25 minutes being reinstated.) "The Music Lovers" received better praise over the years as one of Russell's best features, though home video releases were rare and lackluster. The BFI has finally given the film a release on the Blu-ray format, and it is a fantastic one to say the least. Note this is a region B Blu-ray
Video
The BFI presents the film in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio in 1080p AVC MPEG-4. The HD transfer comes from rightsholder MGM. There is no additional information on the source material or the transfer stated. The film is a visual delight with its setpieces and wardrobes, and this transfer thankfully delivers with a gorgeous look with bold and beautiful colors, excellent sharpness, and very few if any damage marks to speak of for a clean and crisp look. Colors such as browns and earthy tones are well detailed, as well as natural skin tones and the boldly lit exaggerated sequences. While damage marks have been eliminated, thankfully film grain has been kept intact for a naturally filmic look throughout. A great job with the restoration by MGM and a great transfer to disc by the BFI. The film's runtime is 123:51.
Audio
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English LPCM 2.0 Stereo There are two audio options available, with a lossless 5.1 track and an uncompressed 2.0 stereo track. IMDB states that the film was released theatrically with a mono soundtrack and that original track is not included here for purists. Usually upgraded remixes of older films can be an odd call, with sound effects being added or rerecorded that sound decidedly unnatural in comparison to the audio quality of other elements like vintage dialogue mixed together with new effects. As for "The Music Lovers", the 5.1 and 2.0 stereo tracks try to keep things pure by keeping the dialogue and most of the feature film's sound in a center environment, while using the surrounding field for the music sequences for a decidedly involved soundscape. The music can be pounding, and the 5.1 track does a fantastic job, and though there is no information on the sound restoration, it does not sound like newly recorded renditions, but rather from the original recording sessions for the film and remixed for stereo and surround. Considering how important the music cues are and the scale of Tchaikovsky's compositions performed with a full orchestra, it sounds absolutely wonderful here. There are optional English HoH subtitles in a white font which are well timed and easy to read.
Extras
Audio commentary by film historian Matthew Melia (2024) This new and exclusive commentary has Melia discussing the background of the film, from its inspirations in particular shots, the use of the music cues, information about the actors, the physical, emotional, and mental strains displayed, the differences in facts and fiction, the films that it later influenced, and much more. It's a fine listen with a lot of anecdotes and information to fill the entire runtimes without major gaps in between. in English DTS 2.0 without subtitles "It Runs in the Family: Alexander Verney-Elliott (Alexander Russell) Discusses The Music Lovers" 2024 interview (20:37) This new and exclusive interview has Russell's son Alexander Verney-Elliott recalling his work playing minor roles on his father's films, in which his whole family including their dog participated in on multiple productions. He discusses the nervousness at the time, his mother's contribution to the wresting scene in "Women in Love", Oliver Reed crashing the Rolls Royce that Russell had bought for him, how Russell used music in films and more. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.78:1, in English LPCM 2.0 without subtitles "Charlotte Brontė Enters the Big Brother House" 2006 short by Ken Russell (16:13) Presented here is Russell's digital video production of an adaptation of "Jane Eyre" starring the students of Idle Theatre Stage 84 of Yorkshire Stage School, with his wife Lisi Russell in the lead. It starts with the making-of with the auditions, the rehearsal process, and the adaptation with interpretive ballet for the first seven minutes, followed by the digital short itself. Like many of Russell's digital video productions late in his career, it is quite amateurish in the visual style which lacks the polish of his earlier larger scale productions, though there is charm to the DIY aesthetic. in 1080i50 AVC MPEG-4, in 1.33:1, in English LPCM 2.0 without subtitles "Galina Ulanova in Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake" 1940 short film (4:17) Considered one of the greatest ballerinas of the twentieth century, this short features the Russian dancer sharing the stage with her long time dance partner and artistic director and choreographer for the Kirov Theatre Konstantin Sergeyev, with music from "Swan Lake". The audio was long thought lost, but was recently recovered by the BFI. The music is scratchy and the image has a number of damage marks, but is still in a viewable state. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.33:1, Music LPCM 2.0 "USSR Today" Musical Highlights from three editions of the Soviet newsreel, 1953-56 (10:20) Presented here are a compilation of newsreels from the Soviet Union for the UK, focusing on Tchaikovsky, including footage of his home and performances of his music in celebration of the composer. The black and white image is fairly good, with some damage marks here and there. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.33:1, in English LPCM 2.0 without subtitles "The Guardian Interview: Melvyn Bragg" 1988 audio recording that plays over the film (76:27) This interview, conducted by writer Ronald Harwood at the National Film Theatre has Bragg discuss his work on "The Southbank Show" for the last decade. These include the challenges of programming, the interviews with artists and creators, examples of changes in the industry, and more. This is not specific to "The Music Lovers" or his work as a writer, though it is still fascinating to hear Bragg being the one interviewed here. in English DTS 2.0 without subtitles "Costume Designs" 19 sketches by Shirley Russell (2:00) A silent slideshow gallery featuring high quality sketches by Russell. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4 Trailer (1:25) The original United Artists trailer is presented here, which has also been fairly well cleaned and remastered, but nowhere as sharp as the feature film. The trailer has been embedded below, though it is not from the remastered source. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 2.35:1, in English LPCM 2.0 mono without subtitles Booklet The first pressing includes a 24 page booklet. First is the essay "Ken Russell and The Music Lovers" by Matthew Melia which looks at the film in a detailed overview that has a few overlaps with his commentary but still includes unique information. Next is "From Deep Despair to Where?: Richard Chamberlin and the (Dark) Romantic Russellian Male" by Caroline Longhorst on the traits of male characters seen in the film and in Russell's other works. There is also "Filming with My Father" which has Alexander Verney-Elliot go further in depth with working with his father from a young age. There are also full cast and crew information, information on the special features including notes by Lisi Russell on the making of "Charlotte Brontė Enters the Big Brother House", notes on the presentation, acknowledgements, and stills. The film is making its Blu-ray debut with this release from the BFI. It was released on DVD in the past from MGM in the United States (as a burned-on-demand DVD-R) and in the UK from Final Cut, though neither had any extras. A clip from the film. courtesy of the BFI The trailer with commentary by Bernard Rose from Trailers from Hell An interview with Russell by Roman Ilies An interview with Russell on Federico Fellini, courtesy of the BFI Episode on Tchaikovsky from BBC's "Great Composers" from 1997 English trailer for the Russian biopic "Tchaikovksy" A trailer for the Russian biopic "Tchaikovsky's Wife" (2022)
Overall
"The Music Lovers" is Russell at his best - using beautiful classical music, telling a biography while exaggerating facts and fiction, balancing the standard against the absurd, and being visually breathtaking. The BFI's Blu-ay release is fantastic, with an excellent restored image, great 5.1 and stereo options, and a lengthy amount of extras included. Highly recommended. Amazon UK link BFI Shop link
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