Savage Messiah **** (1972, Scott Anthony, Dorothy Tutin, Helen Mirren, Lindsay Kemp, Michael Gough, John Justin, Peter Vaughan) – Classic Movie Review 7867

Director Ken Russell’s 1972 biographical drama Savage Messiah is a passionate pre-World War One biopic of the French painter-sculptor Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and older Polish woman Sophie Brzeska. It is a miniaturist masterwork from Russell in a quiet, reflective, artistic and romantic mood after The Boy Friend (1971).

Savage Messiah is a highly attractive picture, though probably too quiet for its own good, which is a very rare complaint about a Ken Russell movie. It is very winningly played by young Scott Anthony and the middle-aged Dorothy Tutin, who depict the couple’s stormy relationship with great skill, conviction an charisma.

Based on H S Ede’s fascinating book, Savage Messiah has something intriguing to say about love, art and artists — and it says it intelligently, involvingly and movingly.

Savage Messiah may not have been a big hit at the cinema, but it is ideal for TV and home viewing. Future director (and saint) Derek Jarman did the production designs for Russell, as he did for The Devils.

Also in the cast are Helen Mirren as Gosh Boyle, Lindsay Kemp as Angus Corky, Michael Gough as M Gaudier, John Justin as Lionel Shaw, Peter Vaughan, Judith Paris, Imogen Claire, Ben Aris, Otto Diamant, Henry Woolf, Robert Lang and Aubrey Richards.

Savage Messiah is directed by Ken Russell, runs 102 minutes, is made by Russ-Arts, is released by MGM, is written by Christopher Logue, based on H S Ede’s book, is shot by Dick Bush, is produced by Ken Russell, is scored by Michael Garrett and is designed by Derek Jarman. Music by Claude Debussy, Alexander Scriabin and Sergei Prokofiev is also used.

Much of the content of Ede’s book Savage Messiah comes from letters sent between Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and his lover Sophie Brzeska.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7867

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