"Omnibus" Song of Summer (1968)

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Director:

Ken Russell

Writers:

Eric Fenby (book)
Ken Russell (writer)

TV Series:

"Omnibus" (1967)

Original Air Date:

15 September 1968

Genre:

Documentary | Biography

Plot:

Traces last 5 years of the life of Frederick Delius through the eyes of a young composer called Eric Fenby.

Plot Keywords:

Based On Book

Cast

Max Adrian	...	Frederick Delius
Maureen Pryor	...	Jelka Delius
Christopher Gable	...	Eric Fenby
David Collings	...	Percy Grainger
Geraldine Sherman	...	Girl next door
Elizabeth Ercy	...	Maid
Roger Worrod	...	Bruder
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Norman James	...	Doctor
Ken Russell	...	Priest (cameo)

Runtime:

73 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Borrowdale, Lake District, Cumbria, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Featured in A British Picture (1989) (TV)

Beautiful film

The music of Delius seems to be an acquired taste. I acquired it at the tender age of 17 (perhaps just about the right age). I have heard only one piece of Delius performed live since then, a performance, and a very fine one, at the Juilliard School of his last opera, "Fennimore and Gerda." It's a shame that this beautiful music can only be heard (in the U.S. at least) on recordings, for the most part. But thank God there are the magnificent recorded performances of Sir Thomas Beecham who seems to have had an almost mystical understanding of Delius's unique style.

And thank God, too, for this wonderful film, which shows that (despite all evidence) Ken Russell once on a time had an enormous talent and impeccable taste. (What happened? Unfathomable. Oddly, though, his 1990's TV version of "Lady Chatterly" -- unlikely material indeed -- shows by and large the same kind of tasteful restraint exhibited here. Ultimely the silliness of Lawrence's ideas does it in -- not Ken's fault though, really.) The performances of Max Adrian and the late lamented Christopher Gable are remarkable. Gable as Fenby is perhaps the more remarkable, in that this was his first film role ever, after retiring from a career as a ballet dancer. He's really fine, and quite handsome as well. And Adrian is simply brilliant, without the excess he frequently exhibits.

And you can see the whole thing (albeit in 9 discrete segments and less than ideal -- though not bad -- video) on youtube! Highly recommended.